In Netflix’s latest series hit Wednesday, Jenna Ortega inspires as the morbidly sarcastic Addams Family daughter who has to solve a series of murders at a spooky fantasy boarding school. She is supported by none other than her iconic predecessor Christina Ricci.
This helped the character achieve cult status through her interpretation in two Addams Family films. Her new role as teacher Marilyn Thornhill is much more than just a tongue-in-cheek and nostalgic cameo. This fan gift however, only arose out of necessity.
After leaving Wednesday: Christina Ricci had to replace Thora Birch
The production of Wednesday faced some problems. In addition to Jenna Ortega’s chaotic shooting experience, the Lead actress exit Thora Birch presented the creative team with a difficult task. The star, known for credits including American Beauty, Ghost World and most recently The Walking Dead, originally played the character Tamara Novak, a standards teacher at Nevermore Academy.
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Thora Birch in 13 minutes
However, three months after filming began in Romania, it was announced in December 2021 that Birch left production for personal reasons had to and couldn’t return to the set. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, however, she hinted that there were also creative differences at play:
This became a fluid, artistically and creatively evolving situation from episode to episode. I had filmed a certain amount and there were some questions about how far to go with this character, and there were just some Changes and Adjustments performed. It didn’t work out for me to return so they have theirs found own solution.
How the problem was solved: The role was recast with Christina Ricci and given a different name. Tamara Novak became Marilyn Thornhill.
Netflix
Christina Ricci in Wednesday
Since most of Birch’s scenes are said to have already been shot, Christina Ricci stayed little leeway in shaping her figure. In an interview with Collider, she explains why she took on the task despite this emergency:
It’s Tim Burton, I was so honored to be asked by him because he is just a genius. And then to be asked to be part of the new version of this thing that is a big part of my identity and my life story. I mean I know they do not out of the goodness of heart did, but I was really touched by it and thought it was very nice.
The fact that Christina Ricci was only cast afterwards can be observed in the first few episodes. Her appearances at the beginning are sparse and staged in such a way that mostly only her character can be seen in the picture. In some scenes, her character also appears used later by green screen shots to have become
Anyone who has already beaten the first season of Wednesday knows why one Recasting the character is the only option was. Simply cutting out her scenes would hardly have been an option and considering the relevance and development of Ms. Thornhill the story should have been drastically altered.
Warning, massive spoilers for the end of Wednesday:
At the end of the first season, Marilyn Thornhill emerges as the evil mastermind of the story. Her real name is Laurel Gates. Not only did she manipulate the Hyde Tyler into committing horrific murders, but she also brought her ancestor Joseph Crackstone back from the dead to get rid of the Outcasts.
The final fate of Ms. Thornhill remains open at the end. Should a season 2 of Wednesday come along, there could be another Christina Ricci reunion in the world of the Addams Family. And this time she would be there from the beginning.
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How did you like Wednesday Season 1?