Winona Ryder Officially Makes Wednesday Netflix’s Stranger Things Replacement

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I’ve been totally hooked on Netflix’s Wednesday, and it feels like the next huge show after Stranger Things. They’re different, for sure, but both have that supernatural, spooky vibe with teen characters leading the way. It’s clearly a winning combination for Netflix – both shows broke all sorts of viewing records! For a long time, Stranger Things was the show for Netflix, their biggest hit. Now that it’s finished, though, it feels like Wednesday is taking over as the main attraction.

After almost ten years, the fifth season of Stranger Things concluded the series, becoming Netflix’s second most popular English-language TV show ever. This is a huge accomplishment, especially considering how much the show influenced popular culture. Success like this is rare, but Netflix had already proven its ability to create hit shows with Wednesday, which is now preparing for its third season and looks set to continue its success.

Season 3 of Wednesday is now being filmed in Ireland, with production starting in February 2026. The cast is growing, and Eva Green will join the show as Ophelia Frump, Morticia Addams’ sister (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones). Fans are especially excited about the news that Winona Ryder, a frequent collaborator with director Tim Burton, will appear in a currently undisclosed role, following her nine years on Stranger Things.

Winona Ryder’s Casting Officially Makes Wednesday The New Stranger Things

Credit: Netflix via MovieStillsDB

As a huge horror fan, I’ve always loved Winona Ryder – she’s just iconic, especially in Tim Burton’s films like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Frankenweenie, and now even the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! So, when Wednesday started, so many of us were hoping she’d show up. It’s amazing to hear that it’s finally happening! After playing Joyce Byers in Stranger Things for so long, I’m really excited to see what mysterious role she’ll take on in Wednesday season 3.

Winona Ryder was a central character in Stranger Things, and her star power significantly boosted excitement before the first season aired. The role is sure to be one she’s remembered for, making Netflix’s decision to cast her in Wednesday particularly fitting. It feels like Netflix is using Ryder to connect the success of Stranger Things with its new leading series.

Wednesday Season 3’s New Cast Is Exciting For Several Reasons

Ryder’s role in Wednesday is particularly exciting not only because of her popularity in Stranger Things, but also due to her established relationship with director Tim Burton. They’ve worked together for years and share a strong creative trust. Plus, the show’s creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, previously collaborated with Ryder on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and are thrilled to be working with her again.

Winona Ryder is simply amazing in ‘Outcasts.’ Her incredible work with Tim Burton has created some of the most memorable characters in film history. We were delighted to work with her on ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and are thrilled she’s joining the cast at Nevermore.

And that’s not all! Winona Ryder acted with Jenna Ortega in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and their great connection, both in the movie and during interviews, quickly made them a popular pairing for horror fans. While we don’t yet know what role Ryder will have on Wednesday, it’s certain her character will share a lot of scenes with Wednesday Addams, which means we’re in for more memorable moments from these two talented actresses.

Winona Ryder is perfectly suited for her role on Wednesday. Her established presence in horror, her long-standing working relationships with Tim Burton and the show’s creators, and her strong on-screen connection with Jenna Ortega all mean she’ll feel right at home. This familiarity will give Wednesday a distinct advantage as it builds on the success of Stranger Things.

Will Wednesday Season 3 Be As Big As Stranger Things?

Helen Sloan /©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Currently, Wednesday is the most popular English-language TV show Netflix has ever had, surpassing even Stranger Things in total viewership. However, Stranger Things remains more culturally significant and has received more overall positive feedback.

Rotten Tomatoes Score Comparisons For Wednesday & Stranger Things
TV Show Critic Scores Audience Scores
Stranger Things 90% 83%
Wednesday 87% 76%

While both Stranger Things and Wednesday have generally received positive reviews, Stranger Things consistently scores higher on Rotten Tomatoes. Both shows became popular, but Wednesday sparked more trends on social media, largely because it appealed to a younger audience. Though both are rated for teens and adults, Wednesday particularly resonated with Gen Z, while Stranger Things captured the attention of a broader, more mainstream audience.

The impressive number of viewers for Wednesday is significant, especially since it’s only finished two seasons. While Stranger Things is more established, Wednesday, as a newer show inspired by The Addams Family, is just beginning its journey. It’s likely that Wednesday’s popularity and influence will continue to increase, and the involvement of stars like Winona Ryder confirms this. Although these two Netflix series will likely be remembered differently, Wednesday currently has limitless possibilities for future success.

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2026-02-23 20:20