Jenna Ortega Responds To Fired Cast Member Ahead Of Wednesday Season 2

Summary Jenna Ortega addresses how Wednesday season 2 will deal with Xavier's absence.

Ortega teases new challenges and alliances in season 2 with the introduction of many new characters.

Xavier's absence in Wednesday season 2 helps fix season 1's romantic drama focus.

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega addresses the absence of her co-star Percy Hynes White in season 2 of the hit Netflix series. In season 1, Hynes White played Xavier Thorpe, a psychic peer of Ortega's Wednesday Addams at Nevermore Academy, and one of the series' most prominent characters. Following multiple accusations of sexual assault, which he denied, Hynes White was not brought back for season 2.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ortega briefly spoke about Hynes White not being in season 2 and the impact it has on the series. She said that the actor's absence has been "a weird redirect, but we're introducing so many different characters that I think it will get kind of lost." In terms of the narrative impact of no more Xavier, Ortega revealed that it works well with the upcoming episodes as Wednesday's “world does feel slightly askew anyway.”

What Xavier's Absence Means For Wednesday Season 2's Story

It Helps Fix A Season 1 Mistake

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While real-world circumstances impacted Xavier not being in Wednesday season 2, the character's absence works well with previous comments Ortega made about season 1 and how these issues would be addressed in the new season. Ortega previously expressed frustration regarding the love triangle in season 1 between Wednesday, Xavier, and Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan). The focus on this romantic drama did not align with Ortega's version of Wednesday and the way she played the character.

Ortega said this issue will be fixed in season 2 with more emphasis on horror and less attention on romantic drama. Removing Xavier from the story helps with this as it removes a key member of the love triangle. With Tyler revealed to be Wednesday's Hyde later in season 1, a romantic relationship between him and Wednesday is not going to progress any further either. These various developments ensure that the love triangle is dead and season 2 can be more authentic to Wednesday's true self.

Tyler was last seen transforming into the Hyde while in police custody.

The comments Ortega made about introducing many new characters and Wednesday's world "feel[ing] slightly askew" is an intriguing tease for the upcoming season, potentially hinting that part of Wednesday's struggle will be dealing with new challenges without those she can trust. Despite her doubts about Xavier and suspicion that he might be the Hyde in season 1, Xavier ultimately proved to be someone Wednesday could trust. His absence, and potential separation from other familiar characters, may force Wednesday to make new allies and raise questions about which new characters she can and cannot trust in Wednesday season 2.

Source: Vanity Fair