CELEBRITY
Jenna Ortega speaks out about the significant departure of a main cast member from Wednesday in response to grave accusations.
This star will not be returning for future seasons of the popular show.
Jenna Ortega, lead actress of Netflix’s Wednesday, has addressed the leave of Percy Hynes White from the successful show.
The 2022 coming-of-age mystery show follows the story of Wednesday Addams attempting to solve a mystery at her new school, Nevermore Academy.
Netflix has renewed the show for a second season, being decorated with awards following its initial release, including an Emmy for its theme music.
One of the main characters from the show, however, will not be returning because of serious allegations.
White, who played Xavier Thorpe, has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, which made Netflix axe him from the upcoming seasons of the show.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ortega commented on her co-star’s departure.
“[It is] a weird redirect, but we’re introducing so many different characters that I think it kind of will get lost. Wednesday’s world does feel slightly askew anyway.”
Ortega and White had starred together previously in Winter Spring Summer or Fall.
White was first accused of sexual misconduct in January of 2023 on X by a woman who alleged he had assaulted her whilst intoxicated.
The now-deleted post stirred up responses from others who had also accused White of similar doings.
He was also accused of assaulting underage girls after giving them drugs and alcohol.
In June 2023, White did share a statement denying these accusations.
“Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxxed, and my friends have received death threats.”
The statement was made via Deadline, where he quoted one of his friends denying the claims that had seemingly been made up including the two.
Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful.”
“My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message.
“The rumours are false.”
“I can’t accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted, or criminally negligent of people’s safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust toward victims.”
Wednesday season 2 has no official release date but is set to be in 2025.