When Eva Green stepped onto the set of Wednesday Season 3 in February 2025, she wasn’t just stepping into a role—she was stepping back into a world she helped define. Netflix’s announcement on November 26, 2024, confirmed what fans had whispered about since Season 2’s chilling final moments: Green would play Aunt Ophelia Frump, the long-lost sister of Morticia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones), imprisoned for twenty years by her own mother, Hester (Joanna Lumley). The reveal wasn’t just casting news—it was the key to unlocking the show’s darkest family secret.
The Return of a Gothic Icon
Eva Green doesn’t just play eerie characters—she breathes them. From the hauntingly seductive Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale to the tormented psychic Vanessa Ives in Penny Dreadful, Green has built a career on roles where silence speaks louder than screams. Now, she’ll bring that same quiet intensity to Ophelia Frump, a character whose presence in Season 2 was limited to a single, blood-smeared cell in Nevermore Academy, the words “Wednesday must die” scrawled in red across the wall. The mystery wasn’t just about who Ophelia was—it was about why she was locked away, and who among the Addams clan knew the truth.Director Tim Burton has always favored actors who can convey emotion without words. Green’s previous collaborations with him—Dark Shadows (2012), where she played the vengeful witch Angelique Bouchard, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), where she portrayed the time-looping guardian Miss Peregrine—proved she could carry supernatural weight with a glance. This isn’t a cameo. This is the emotional core of Season 3.
A Family of Secrets
The Frump lineage, entirely invented for the series, adds a chilling layer to the Addams mythos. Unlike the original Charles Addams cartoons from The New Yorker (1938–1988), which never featured Ophelia, the show’s writers have built a lineage of hidden trauma. Hester, revealed in Season 2 as Ophelia’s mother, imprisoned her daughter for reasons still unknown—possibly tied to Wednesday’s powers, or perhaps something older, darker. Was Ophelia a threat? A victim? Or both?“Eva Green has always brought an exhilarating, singular presence to the screen—elegant, haunting and beautifully unpredictable,” said showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar in their official statement. “Those qualities make her the perfect choice for Aunt Ophelia.” Their words carry weight. This isn’t just about filling a role; it’s about giving a ghost a voice.
Production Shifts and a Long Wait
Filming for Wednesday Season 3 was originally set to begin in November 2024, but logistical delays pushed it to February 2025. The production will now be based at Ashford Studios in County Wicklow, Ireland—roughly 40 kilometers south of Dublin. The location isn’t arbitrary. Ireland’s mist-laced forests and crumbling manors mirror the show’s gothic soul better than any California backlot ever could.With an eight-episode season and a two-year production cycle (Season 1 dropped November 23, 2022; Season 2 arrived August 16, 2024), Netflix is targeting a Summer 2027 release. That’s a long wait—but it’s also a sign of confidence. The show became Netflix’s third-most-watched English-language series ever, racking up 1.283 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days after Season 2’s debut. Fans aren’t just watching—they’re obsessed.
Building a Gothic Legacy
Netflix’s casting strategy for Wednesday has been deliberate, almost ceremonial. They brought back Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in the 1990s films, as a recurring character. They cast Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, a role once owned by Anjelica Huston. Now, they’ve tapped Green—the modern queen of gothic melancholy—to play a character who never existed in the original comics. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s evolution.Every casting choice feels like a nod to the past while carving a new path. Ophelia Frump, once a shadow on a wall, is now a woman with a story—one that will force Wednesday to confront not just her powers, but her bloodline. And with Green in the role, that story won’t just be told. It will haunt you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Aunt Ophelia Frump, and is she from the original Addams Family comics?
Aunt Ophelia Frump is an original character created for Netflix’s Wednesday series and does not appear in Charles Addams’ original cartoons from The New Yorker (1938–1988). She is introduced as Morticia Addams’ estranged sister, imprisoned for two decades by her mother Hester. Her backstory, revealed through Season 2’s finale, ties directly into Wednesday’s lineage and powers, making her pivotal to Season 3’s plot.
Why was Eva Green chosen for this role?
Eva Green has a proven track record in gothic, emotionally complex roles—from Penny Dreadful to Dark Shadows and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Her ability to convey deep trauma and eerie grace without dialogue makes her ideal for Ophelia, a character whose silence has been central to the mystery. Director Tim Burton has repeatedly collaborated with her because she embodies the visual poetry his films require.
When will Wednesday Season 3 be released?
Principal photography begins in February 2025 at Ashford Studios in Ireland, and Netflix is targeting a Summer 2027 release. This follows the two-year cycle established between Season 1 (November 2022) and Season 2 (August 2024). The extended timeline allows for intricate set design, visual effects, and the layered storytelling the series demands.
How does Ophelia’s imprisonment connect to Wednesday’s powers?
Season 2 hinted that Ophelia’s psychic abilities—possibly inherited by Wednesday—triggered her mother Hester’s decision to lock her away. The phrase “Wednesday must die,” written in blood on Ophelia’s cell wall, suggests a prophecy or fear that Wednesday’s powers could lead to catastrophe. Ophelia’s return may force Wednesday to confront whether she’s destined to repeat her aunt’s fate—or break the cycle.
Why is filming in Ireland instead of the U.S.?
Ireland’s landscapes—dense forests, misty moors, and centuries-old stone buildings—provide a more authentic gothic atmosphere than American studios. Ashford Studios in County Wicklow has become a go-to for dark fantasy productions, including Game of Thrones and Outlander. The shift also reflects the show’s increasing international production scale and tax incentives for filming in Europe.
Is this Eva Green’s third collaboration with Tim Burton?
Yes. Green previously starred as Angelique Bouchard in Burton’s Dark Shadows (2012) and as Miss Peregrine in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016). She is the only actress to have portrayed three distinct, iconic gothic roles in his films. This makes her not just a cast member, but a key part of Burton’s cinematic universe.
Written by Griffin Callahan
Hi, I'm Griffin Callahan, a sports enthusiast with a particular expertise in tennis. I've dedicated years to studying the game, both as a player and an analyst. My passion for tennis has led me to write extensively about the sport, covering everything from player profiles to match analyses. I love sharing my knowledge and insights with fellow tennis fans, and I'm always eager to engage in discussions about the sport we all love.
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