The Addams Family is growing. Netflix has officially announced that acclaimed actress Eva Green will join the cast of Wednesday for its highly anticipated third season, set to begin production in early 2026.
Green will play Aunt Ophelia Addams, the mysterious sister of Morticia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones) — a character whose presence has loomed over the show since its debut but who has never appeared on-screen.
Netflix confirmed the news with a gothic flourish on X (formerly Twitter):
“Aunt Ophelia has arrived. Woefully welcoming Eva Green to Wednesday Season 3.”
For fans of the series’ macabre tone and elegant aesthetic, Green’s casting feels almost inevitable. Known for her haunting performances in Penny Dreadful, Casino Royale, and 300: Rise of an Empire, Green embodies the kind of mysterious charisma that perfectly complements the Addams family’s dark charm.
Who Is Aunt Ophelia Addams?
Aunt Ophelia is a canonical figure from Charles Addams’ original comic strips, often portrayed as Morticia’s quirky, lighter counterpart. Traditionally, she’s depicted with blonde hair and a more whimsical personality, serving as a counterbalance to Morticia’s dark allure.
However, Netflix’s version of Ophelia takes a far more tragic and supernatural turn.
In Wednesday’s mythology, Ophelia is a “raven” — a psychic, like Wednesday herself, whose powers grew too strong to control. Her mother, Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley), had her committed to the Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital after a breakdown triggered by her uncontrolled abilities.
| Character | Portrayed By | Status in Series | First Mentioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aunt Ophelia Addams | Eva Green | Alive, in hiding | Season 1 (through diary and visions) |
| Morticia Addams | Catherine Zeta-Jones | Wednesday’s mother | Main cast |
| Hester Frump | Joanna Lumley | Morticia and Ophelia’s mother | Season 2 |
| Wednesday Addams | Jenna Ortega | Morticia’s daughter | Protagonist |
During Season 2, Wednesday discovered her aunt’s lost diary, which hinted at a dark family secret — visions of Ophelia wearing a flower crown, followed by cryptic entries suggesting madness and betrayal.
The Season 2 finale revealed that Hester Frump had been secretly keeping Ophelia imprisoned in her mansion basement, where Ophelia had scrawled “Wednesday must die” in blood across the wall — a chilling setup for the next chapter.
“We wanted to introduce Ophelia as a presence before making her a person,” said series co-creator Miles Millar. “Now, with Eva Green, that presence is about to become very real — and very dangerous.”
Why Eva Green Is the Perfect Fit?
Green’s casting brings a new level of prestige to Wednesday’s ensemble. A BAFTA-nominated actress with a career defined by complex, gothic roles, she’s best known for her chilling yet magnetic performances.
| Eva Green’s Notable Roles | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Penny Dreadful (Vanessa Ives) | 2014–2016 | TV Horror Drama |
| Casino Royale (Vesper Lynd) | 2006 | Feature Film |
| 300: Rise of an Empire (Artemisia) | 2014 | Feature Film |
| Sin City: A Dame to Kill For | 2014 | Feature Film |
| Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children | 2016 | Feature Film |
Green’s affinity for dark, intelligent characters aligns seamlessly with the tone of Wednesday, which blends gothic mystery with sardonic humor.
“Eva brings that rare combination of menace and melancholy,” said Tim Burton, executive producer and occasional director of the series. “Her Ophelia is both terrifying and tragic — exactly what the Addams family deserves.”
How Ophelia Fits Into ‘Wednesday’ Season 3?
Wednesday Season 3 will explore the fallout from Season 2’s shocking finale — and Ophelia’s re-emergence will play a central role.
According to production insiders, Ophelia’s escape from her mother’s captivity sets off a chain of supernatural events that once again threaten Nevermore Academy and the Addams lineage itself.
Key Plot Threads Expected in Season 3:
- Wednesday’s Visions Intensify: Her psychic link with her aunt grows stronger, blurring the line between memory and prophecy.
- Morticia’s Secrets Unravel: Ophelia’s return forces Morticia to face her past and the choices that fractured their family.
- Aunt Ophelia’s Motive: Is she seeking revenge, redemption, or reunion? Early teasers suggest she may be an antagonist with sympathetic roots.
- The Raven Bloodline: Season 3 will further expand on the Addams family’s connection to psychic “raven” ancestry.
“Family trauma has always been the real ghost in the Addams universe,” said Alfred Gough, series co-creator. “Aunt Ophelia brings that theme to life — or perhaps, to afterlife.”
A Nod to Addams History
Aunt Ophelia’s inclusion also honors the franchise’s long history. In the original 1960s television series, Carolyn Jones — who also played Morticia — portrayed Ophelia by donning a blonde wig, giving both sisters distinct personalities on-screen.
Netflix’s iteration reimagines Ophelia not as a lighthearted foil but as a dark mirror of Morticia — her equal in beauty and intellect, but twisted by guilt and isolation.
“In many ways, Ophelia is what Wednesday could become if her powers consume her,” said Jenna Ortega in a recent interview. “It’s both scary and fascinating to play those parallels.”
‘Wednesday’ Continues to Break Records
The Wednesday franchise remains a cultural powerhouse.
| Season | Release Date | Netflix Global Rank (All-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | November 2022 | #1 Most-Watched English-Language Series |
| Season 2 | August–September 2025 | #4 Most-Watched English-Language Series |
Season 2’s dual-part release format paid off for Netflix, keeping the series in the Top 10 for more than 10 weeks. Its gothic tone, Burton-esque visuals, and Ortega’s Emmy-nominated performance have cemented Wednesday as a flagship for Netflix’s young-adult programming.
The streaming giant hasn’t announced a release date for Season 3, but insiders suggest a late 2026 debut is likely, given its large-scale production and visual effects workload.
Full Returning and New Cast for Season 3
| Actor | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna Ortega | Wednesday Addams | Returning Lead |
| Catherine Zeta-Jones | Morticia Addams | Returning |
| Luis Guzmán | Gomez Addams | Returning |
| Joanna Lumley | Hester Frump | Returning |
| Eva Green | Aunt Ophelia Addams | New Addition |
| Gwendoline Christie | Principal Weems | Returning (Confirmed flashbacks) |
| Emma Myers | Enid Sinclair | Returning |
| Steve Buscemi | New Nevermore faculty member | Returning |
| Billie Piper | Mysterious antagonist | Returning |
| Christina Ricci | Marilyn Thornhill | Recurring Guest |
| Noah B. Taylor | New villain role | New Addition |
“We’ve built an Addams family multiverse,” said Miles Millar. “Season 3 brings all those threads together, and Eva’s Ophelia is the dark heart of it.”
Why This Casting Matters?
Eva Green’s arrival signals that Wednesday is entering its most ambitious phase yet. Her portrayal of Aunt Ophelia not only deepens the Addams lore but also promises to heighten the show’s gothic and psychological dimensions.
“It’s rare to find a role that’s both haunting and human,” Green said in a statement. “Ophelia is both — she’s a ghost in her own family’s story, and now she’s finally ready to be seen.”
As fans await Season 3, one thing is certain: Aunt Ophelia’s arrival ensures that the Addams family tree will only grow darker — and more twisted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aunt Ophelia is Morticia Addams’ sister — a raven psychic whose powers spiralled out of control, leading to her confinement by her mother, Hester Frump.
Eva Green will portray Aunt Ophelia Addams in Wednesday Season 3.
Netflix has not announced an official date, but a late 2026 premiere is expected.
Yes, Burton is set to direct the opening two episodes and serve as an executive producer.
She was believed missing after escaping Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital. Season 2’s finale revealed she was imprisoned by her mother.
Green’s version draws from both the comics and new original material, blending gothic elegance with supernatural menace.
