Last fall, it was reported that Netflix was going to team up with Tim Burton on a live-action series based on “The Addams Family.” At the time, all that was known is that the series would likely be told from the perspective of teen Wednesday Addams. Well, Netflix made it official today and shared all the details about Burton’s first foray into streaming series.
According to Netflix, Burton is set to direct and executive produce an eight-episode ‘Addams Famly’ spinoff series titled “Wednesday.” The series is indeed told from the POV of the title character, as the show is described as a “coming-of-age comedy.” “Wednesday” is set to be showrun by the duo of Al Gough and Miles Millar, who are probably best known for another coming-of-age spinoff of a classic franchise, “Smallville.” But we’re going to guess that “Wednesday” is a bit darker than that “Superman” origin story.
“When we first heard Al Gough and Miles Millar’s pitch for ‘Wednesday’ we were struck, like an arrow from a crossbow, right in our hearts,” said Netflix executive Teddy Biaselli. “They nailed the tone, the spirit and the characters, but gave us a fresh way into this story. The upcoming eight-episode series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday’s years as a student at the peculiar Nevermore Academy. Wednesday’s attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago – all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships of the strange and diverse student body.”
He added, “We then got the call that visionary director and lifelong ‘Addams Family’ fan Tim Burton wanted to make his television directorial debut with this series. Tim has had a history of telling empowering stories about social outsiders like Edward Scissorhands, Lydia Deetz, and Batman. And now he brings his unique vision to Wednesday and her spooky classmates at Nevermore Academy.”
Of course, there’s no casting yet to be announced, but we have to assume all eyes will be on whoever Burton and Netflix bring in to play the title character. “Wednesday” clearly has some “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” vibes, as Netflix recently said goodbye to that show. Perhaps, this is a series that can pick up where that left off and attract those loyal YA fans?
Here’s the synopsis:
The series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday’s attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.
