'The Addams Family's Nostalgic Characters Were Given A Major Casting Revamp On ‘Wednesday’

Jan 16, 2023 by apost team

Netflix’s “Wednesday” is one of the biggest television series that rocked 2022. The coming-of-age supernatural comedy horror has taken the world by storm after the show appealed to an older generation who loved the original show and movies, and new audiences who were fascinated by cult classic stories like “The Addams Family.”

First released in 1964 as a television series, the Addams family has become a household name for their comical yet spooky antics as they try to live a normal life. Because of how well the public loved the show, multiple remakes were created throughout the decades to show more about the kooky family. 

Perhaps the most iconic one was “The Addams Family” film, released in 1991, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. The film went on to be a major box-office success and even garnered several accolades after its release. It was awarded the Best Horror Film of the Year in 1991 by the Horror Hall of Fame and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Costume Design. It even won Favorite Movie at the 1992 Kids’ Choice Award. 

Because of the film’s impeccable one-liners, promising cast and eye-catching visual effects, the movie became a pop culture sensation in the years that followed, specifically how one of its major characters, Wednesday Addams, was portrayed. 

30 years since the iconic movie hit theaters, Netflix released its own series based on Wednesday Addams, as well as her family. With half of the entire first season directed by accomplished director Tim Burton, the hit series has become a new phenomenon in its own right. 

While the new show is a modern adaptation of the classic family, fans have praised the unbelievable similarities between the actors that portrayed the same characters back in 1991 and most recently in 2022. Let's take a look at the actors behind the roles.

Lurch Addams

The ever-faithful butler and driver to the Addams family is included in the Netflix series. Played by George Burcea, the ditzy manservant still took on the same Lurch costume from the original TV series and films. Described as a “not a very good butler but a faithful one,” Burcea still radiates the same Frankenstein vibe that Carel Struycken convincingly portrayed in the 1991 movie.

Pugsley Addams

The original Pugsley was played by retired child actor Jimmy Workman. “A Wrinkle in Time” star Isaac Ordonez took on the mantle of the lovable role of Wednesday’s younger brother in the Netflix series. Although Pugsley’s role on “Wednesday” is relatively short compared to the movies, he was given the same amount of innocence and charm that Workman had emanated in the earlier films. Surely, the common denominator between the two actors is their charming facial expressions, and they both brought the roles to life very well. 

Uncle Fester

The unpredictable paternal uncle of Wednesday, played by Emmy-winning actor Christopher Lloyd is a lot different from how Fred Armisen played him in the 2022 adaptation. According to Screen Rant, Armisen’s character was more self-assured and wiser than Lloyd’s portrayal. But despite their stark differences, Armisen played the role exceptionally well and similarly looks the part. Armisen’s character elevated the role of Uncle Fester, the family’s formerly naive black sheep, into someone that has finally embraced the oddities that made him an outcast. 

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Gomez Addams

Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia expanded his breadth as a versatile actor when he played the loving Addams family patriarch Gomez Addams in 1991. The person who took on the same role in 2022 is equally gifted actor Luis Guzman. Known for his roles in “Code Black,” “Narcos” and “Oz,” Guzman has definitely made a mark in his well-received portrayal of Wednesday’s father. Perhaps the most striking thing the two actors share is their heritage; both Julia and Guzman are Puerto Rican, which makes the casting for the show even more spectacular!

Morticia Addams

Anjelica Huston's 1991 portrayal of Morticia Addams is firmly embedded in pop culture. Her straight flowing hair and sultry, spooky charisma is continuously mimicked every Halloween until today. In the 2022 series, everyone was raving about how perfect Catherine Zeta-Jones was in helming the iconic role of Wednesday’s mother. Huston received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance as Morticia, and with Zeta-Jones's short but impactful stint in “Wednesday,” it is highly likely that she may receive a similar distinction in the years to come. 

Wednesday Addams 

In the first "Addams Family" film, a then 9-year-old Christina Ricci stole hearts when she effortlessly played the eldest Addams child with her deadpan, comic acting as Wednesday. Now, teen star Jenna Ortega has wowed critics and audiences worldwide with her stellar performance and modern take on the iconic character. Ricci was also a big part of the production as she played Wednesday’s teacher at Nevermore Academy. Like Ricci, Ortega gave her very best to give justice to the role that many had come to love and adore throughout the years. 

Have you watched “The Addams Family” or “Wednesday”? Which one do you like better? Which actors did you like more, the old or new ones? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other “Wednesday” fans!