Prior to “Wednesday,” Jenna Ortega wasn’t always so assertive onset. Sure, she’s voiced her opinions once or twice in her other movies and shows, but the writers barely took it into account. In “Wednesday,” Tim Burton allowed her to freely share her opinions, and in the upcoming season, with her stepping into the role of a producer, she has been given the chance to have say more on how things pan out in the next one.
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And why not? “Wednesday” is the most-watched English language show on Netflix, beating out “Stranger Things” with just one season! So it’s not like she steered the production wrong.
For someone who started her career at a young age, you can bet she knows what it’s like to be told to do exactly what the script and the director says, regardless of any gut feeling she might have had. Here’s what she has to say about those experiences.
Jenna Ortega Says She Felt Like A “Puppet” On Some Sets
Ortega has been very vocal about the blessing of being able to voice her opinions on the set of “Wednesday,” and of course, being given the chance to grow into the role of a producer for the second series.
“I feel really, really fortunate to be coming on as a producer this time around,” Ortega said during a recent The Hollywood Reporter roundtable discussion, featuring other stars like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Natasha Lyonne, Ayo Edebiri, Elle Fanning and Devery Jacobs.
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“Any of the best teams or environments that I’ve been on on set have been people who are very collaborative and wanted to hear different opinions because it’s very easy for people to get caught up in their own. I think a project is best when there’s as many voices and ideas thrown out as possible.”
She continued: “And I’ve had experiences in TV where I felt my voice wasn’t heard, that I was meant to be a puppet. I’ve been told on sets, “You wouldn’t know because you’re not a writer,” or, “Just shut up and do your job.”
From 12 years old, I’ve been hearing things like that. So, I went into Wednesday with hesitance. But I was fortunate to be working with someone like Tim Burton, who pulled me in his trailer one day and said that he wanted to be a soundboard for my voice. So, every day, me, him, the writers, we’d get together in the morning and go through sides.” She also admitted that her small nature usually worked against her when she would be trying to assert herself, “But also being younger, being a woman, being of smaller stature…”
However, she soon learned to sidestep her appearance and make herself heard by putting her foot down and assuring everyone that everything she had to say mattered. And that is why she’s our Wednesday Addams.
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Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Jenna Ortega right now. Come back here often for all Jenna Ortega spoilers, news, and updates.
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