Netflix’s hit series ‘Wednesday’ is set to welcome a special guest star for its third season, with Variety reporting that Winona Ryder has joined the cast. The role promises a reunion reminiscent of ‘Beetlejuice’, in which Ryder originally played mother to Jenna Ortega’s character in the 1988 classic.
Ryder has maintained a longstanding collaboration with director Tim Burton, who continues to direct and executive produce Wednesday. Notably, showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar also co-wrote the screenplay for Beetlejuice.
“I am so happy that Winona has joined us, she fits right into this world,” Burton said in a statement. “And she’s a dear friend. I always feel lucky to work with her.”
The specifics of Ryder’s role in Wednesday are being kept under wraps. Gough and Millar praised the actress, saying, “When it comes to Outcasts, Winona Ryder is the GOAT. Her legendary partnership with Tim Burton has defined some of cinema’s most unforgettable characters. We loved collaborating with her on Beetlejuice and could not be more thrilled to welcome her to Nevermore.”
Ryder joins a growing list of new cast members, including Eva Green, who will portray Morticia Addams’ sister Ophelia. The ensemble for Season 3 also features Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Joy Sunday, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Isaac Ordonez, Billie Piper, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Victor Dorobantu, Evie Templeton, as well as Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joanna Lumley, and Fred Armisen.
A two-time Oscar nominee, Ryder has a long history with Burton, starring in Edward Scissorhands and the animated feature Frankenweenie in 2012. She recently appeared in the fifth and final season of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ and has previously worked on television series including ‘The Plot Against America’ and ‘Show Me a Hero’.
Wednesday Season 2, released in two parts in August and September 2025, became a major success for Netflix and is currently the fifth most-watched English-language season on the platform. Season 1 remains the most-watched season ever.
