Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 premiered on Netflix on August 6, 2025, bringing back Jenna Ortega as the iconic Wednesday Addams. The first four episodes continue the story from Season 1, introducing new mysteries, villains, and character arcs. Part 2 is set to release on September 3, 2025, and will conclude the season with four additional episodes. Here is a breakdown of the major events and developments from Part 1.
Wednesday Returns to Nevermore Academy
Wednesday Addams returns to Nevermore Academy for her second year, but her experiences have left her more determined than ever to master her psychic abilities. She has been studying Goody Addams’ Book of Spells, but her powers have started to act unpredictably. When she pushes her visions too far, black tears stream from her eyes, a warning sign she often ignores. Her brother Pugsley joins Nevermore as a freshman, showcasing electrokinetic powers inherited from Uncle Fester. Principal Barry Dort, played by Steve Buscemi, sees Wednesday as a symbol of outcast pride, though she wants nothing to do with the attention.
The Mystery of the Avian and LOIS
The central mystery of Part 1 revolves around a series of murders linked to a figure known as the Avian. Private investigator Carl Bradberry and former Sheriff Donovan Galpin are killed by a swarm of crows controlled by the Avian. Wednesday’s visions connect these events to a gravestone marked with Enid’s name, hinting at her best friend’s impending death. Her investigation leads her to Willow Hill Psychiatric Center, where Tyler Galpin is imprisoned. There, she uncovers the Long-Term Outcast Integration Study (LOIS), a secret program created by former Nevermore science teacher Augustus Stonehurst. Stonehurst abducted outcasts, faked their deaths, and experimented on them to acquire their powers. His daughter, Judi Stonehurst, took over the program and gained the ability to control birds, using them to eliminate anyone who threatened to expose LOIS .
Tyler’s Escape and Hyde Transformation
Tyler Galpin, revealed as a Hyde in Season 1, remains confined at Willow Hill for most of Part 1. Marilyn Thornhill, his former master, attempts to regain control over him but fails. During the chaos at Willow Hill, Thornhill frees Tyler, expecting gratitude. Instead, Tyler transforms into his Hyde form and kills her. He later confronts Wednesday, throwing her out of a window during a brutal fight. Wednesday is left unconscious, and Tyler escapes into the night. Without a master, his Hyde transformations are now unstable, posing a greater threat in Part 2 .
The Rise of Slurp
Pugsley Addams revives a legendary figure known as Slurp, a boy with a mechanical heart buried under the Skull Tree. Initially zombie-like, Slurp grows stronger and more human-like with each kill. He murders Dr. Fairburn and Augustus Stonehurst, hinting at a dark shared past with the latter. Before killing Stonehurst, Slurp calls him “old friend,” suggesting a deeper connection to Nevermore and its history. His evolution into a sentient being adds another layer of danger for Wednesday to confront in Part 2 .
New and Returning Characters
Part 1 expands the roles of the Addams family, with Morticia and Gomez becoming more involved in Nevermore’s affairs. Morticia clashes with Wednesday over her use of psychic abilities, fearing she may share the fate of her Aunt Ophelia, who suffered a breakdown from similar powers. Grandmama Hester Frump, played by Joanna Lumley, is introduced as Morticia’s mother and Wednesday’s grandmother. Other newcomers include Agnes DeMille, a Wednesday superfan who becomes her stalker-turned-assistant, and Bruno, a werewolf who creates a love triangle with Enid and Ajax .
Critical Reception and Fan Reactions
Critics have praised Jenna Ortega’s performance, noting her continued excellence in embodying Wednesday’s deadpan humor and emotional depth. The expansion of the Addams family roles and the darker tone of the season have also been highlighted. However, some critics feel the season is overly convoluted with too many subplots, and the decision to split the season into two parts has been criticized as frustrating for viewers. Despite this, the show remains a popular hit for Netflix .
“Jenna Ortega continues to be the show’s secret ingredient, embodying the iconic character with a steely deadpan and hilarious, sardonic one-liners.” – Michel Ghanem, TheWrap
“The series is carried by Ortega, who continues to thrive in a role that expertly showcases her talents… It is Ortega’s sardonic and acoustically entertaining turn that saved the first season and delivered an even better second.” – M.N. Miller, Geek Vibes Nation
What to Expect in Part 2
Part 2 will address several unresolved cliffhangers. Wednesday is in a coma after her fall, but she is expected to recover and continue her fight against Judi Stonehurst, Tyler, and Slurp. The mystery of Wednesday’s Aunt Ophelia, who may be one of the freed LOIS patients, will likely be explored. Enid’s fate remains uncertain, as Wednesday’s vision of her death has yet to come true. Principal Dort’s hidden motives and the broader implications of the LOIS program may also be revealed .
Also Read: Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 Trailer Reveals Gwendoline Christie’s Return as a Ghostly Guide
Credits: The Viewers Perspective, Time
