You've seen the deadpan stares. You've definitely seen the viral TikTok dance. But there is one thing that still trips up the most die-hard Netflix fans: how old was Jenna Ortega in Wednesday season 1 during that grueling shoot in Romania?
Honestly, the TV industry is famous for hiring people in their late 20s to play "awkward" 14-year-olds. It’s a trope we’re all used to by now. However, things were a bit different for the Addams Family spin-off. Jenna Ortega wasn't a 30-year-old in pigtails, but she wasn't a young teen either.
The Math Behind Jenna Ortega's Real Age
Jenna Ortega was born on September 27, 2002. This is the key to solving the whole mystery. Production for the first season of Wednesday kicked off in September 2021.
If you do the math, she actually celebrated her 19th birthday right as the cameras started rolling in Bucharest. Filming wrapped around March 2022. By the time the show finally hit our screens on November 23, 2022, Jenna had already turned 20.
So, basically, she was 19 years old for the vast majority of the filming process.
It’s a weirdly perfect age for the role. She was just old enough to handle the intense work schedule—we’re talking cello lessons, fencing, and learning German—but young enough that she didn't look totally out of place in a high school setting. At 5'1", her height also helped sell the "small but deadly" vibe of a 16-year-old student.
Wednesday Addams vs. Jenna Ortega: The Gap
In the show, Wednesday is 16 years old. We know this because her 16th birthday is a literal plot point in the sixth episode, "Quid Pro Woe."
Usually, a three-year age gap between an actor and their character is nothing in Hollywood. It’s actually quite small compared to some of her co-stars. While Jenna was 19 playing 16, some of the other Nevermore Academy students were much further along in their twenties.
How the Rest of the Cast Stacked Up
- Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin): This is the one that usually shocks people. Hunter was 28 years old during filming. He’s nearly a decade older than Jenna, despite playing someone close to her age.
- Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay): The siren queen was 26 during the first season.
- Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair): Jenna's onscreen BFF is actually her peer in real life. Emma was also 19 when they started shooting and is only a few months younger than Jenna.
- Moosa Mostafa (Eugene Ottinger): Interestingly, Moosa was actually the closest to his character's age. He was just 13 when filming began, playing a 14-year-old.
Why Jenna’s Age Mattered for Season 1
There’s a reason Tim Burton and the casting directors didn't go for a literal 16-year-old. Filming Wednesday was kind of a nightmare in terms of workload.
Jenna has been very vocal in interviews about the pressure. She was often working 12-hour days, then going straight to lessons for the cello or stunt training. There was that famous story about her filming the iconic dance scene while she actually had COVID-19 (before the test results came back). A younger teenager might have legally been restricted by child labor laws, which often limit how many hours a minor can stay on set.
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Being 19 allowed her to be the "engine" of the show. She was an adult legally, but she still had that youthful, sharp-featured look that defined the character.
The Evolution to Season 2
As we look toward the future of the series, the age conversation changes. By the time Wednesday Season 2 drops in 2025, Jenna Ortega will be 22 or 23.
The show has already hinted at a slightly darker, more horror-focused tone for the second outing. This shift fits well with an actress who is maturing alongside her most famous role. You've probably noticed she’s also taking on an Executive Producer role for the new season, giving her more control over Wednesday’s journey.
Quick Facts for Your Next Trivia Night
- Jenna’s Birthday: September 27, 2002.
- Filming Age: 19 (started September 2021).
- Character Age: 16 (celebrated in Episode 6).
- Age at Premiere: 20 (November 2022).
If you’re planning a Wednesday rewatch, keep an eye on the graduation or birthday mentions. It makes the performance even more impressive when you realize she was basically a teenager herself, leading one of the biggest Netflix shows of all time.
For more behind-the-scenes details, you can track the filming updates for the upcoming season to see how the timeline of Nevermore Academy continues to evolve. Keep an eye on the official Netflix social channels for the most accurate release dates and cast announcements as they happen.