Looks Like ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Is Writing Off a Major Character

The big picture

• Jenna Ortega will take the lead on Netflix's goth-tastic
  Wednesday
  without a romantic subplot, geared more towards the horror elements for Season 2.
• Familiar faces Percy Hynes White and Naomi J Ogawa will not be returning as series regulars, making way for new story paths at Nevermore Academy.
• Ortega steps up as a producer to dial up the horror factor, promising a creepy adventure with less love fluff in Season 2.

Netflix dropped some major casting tea this morning for the next season of its gothic hit Wednesdaywhere Jenna Ortega reigns as the deliciously macabre protagonist. As the creepy doors of Nevermore Academy open again, some familiar faces won't be haunting its haunting halls again. Percy Hynes White i Naomi J Ogawawho brought fan favorites Xavier Thorpe and Yoko Tanaka to life, respectively, say goodbye to series regulars, while Jamie McShane he will only make a guest appearance, reprising his role as Sheriff Donovan Galpin.

The good sheriff was left reeling at the end of Season 1, struggling with the shocking revelation that his son Tyler (played by the returning Hunter Doohan) was the monstrous Hyde. The plot thickened when Tyler, in a classic monster movie cliffhanger, tried to transform to get out of a tight spot. Galpin's badge could get a new shine, though Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawoplayed by Deputy Ritchie Santiago, is understood to be a series regular, news that hints at a new story path to walk, with the potential of a new sheriff roaming these parts.

No More Romance for 'Wednesday'

As for White's psychic Xavier, despite saving his skin in the end and warming up the screen with Wednesday, rumors told stories of his possible exit, though Deadline reported his option extension l 'last year. Ortega, on the other hand, didn't like the romantic side of the show and thought it didn't make much sense for her character.

“We've decided that we want to lean a little more into the horror aspect of the show. Because it's so light-hearted and a show like this with vampires and werewolves and superpowers, you don't want to take yourself too seriously. We're abandoning any romantic love interest for Wednesday, which is really great.”

Meanwhile, Ogawa's Yoko, despite her cool vampire beliefs and ties to the enigmatic Nightshade Society, found herself fading into the background, making her exit a less shocking but still poignant update. Not only will Ortega be back in front of the camera, but he's stepping behind it as a producer, promising to amp up the horror and reduce teenage angst. With the news of a new direction for the series, the cast changes make a lot of sense. So brace yourself, horror lovers and romantics, because it seems Wednesday Season 2 will be a creepy affair with less love fluff.

Watch on Netflix