The Wednesday series redefines the Addams Family’s backstory by portraying them as “Outcasts,” a unique group of supernaturally gifted individuals often shunned by regular, or “Normie,” society due to their peculiarities. This new world-building explicitly clarifies the family’s eccentricity, which was previously only hinted at in other adaptations. The first season sets up this dynamic by revealing Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as a member of a lineage of seers and by endowing Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) with the power to produce electricity. Furthermore, it intertwines the family’s history with the establishment of Nevermore Academy through Goody Addams, their ancestor. Although these modifications offer fresh insights, the primary personalities and roles within the Addams family in season 1 remain true to traditional depictions. However, season 2 delves deeper into the Addams family tree and uncovers a crucial character with a significant departure from her established history.
Warning: Spoilers below for Wednesday Season 2, Part 1
In simpler terms, the character commonly referred to as Grandmama in popular culture often has a confusing and inconsistent background across different adaptations. Her name, identity, and lineage tend to vary with each new portrayal. Originating from Charles Addams’ single-panel cartoons for The New Yorker, she was initially an unnamed, witch-like figure with wild hair, shawls, and a ghostly appearance. In the Addams Family, she added to the overall eerie atmosphere but didn’t have a clear personality or specific family role beyond being the elderly woman.
In the iconic live-action TV series from the ’60s called The Addams Family, the character of Grandmama Addams, played by Blossom Rock, set her defining traits and sparked a lasting puzzle for years to come. In this cherished show, Grandmama Addams, an eccentric yet mostly kind witch, was portrayed as Gomez Addams’ (John Astin’s character) mother, making her Morticia’s mother-in-law. Her character was known for brewing potions, wrestling alligators, and casting spells that were ineffective but well-intentioned. Interestingly, the same series also introduced Morticia’s mother as a different character, Granny Frump, played by Margaret Hamilton. Granny Frump had a more cynical and gloomy demeanor, resulting in two unique grandmothers within the show’s world. This duality persisted in the 1970s Hanna-Barbera cartoons, maintaining this intriguing divide between the characters.
In the 1990s films, a significant change occurred in “The Addams Family.” In Barry Sonnenfeld’s version, the character portrayed by Judith Malina as Grandmama was established as Morticia’s (Anjelica Huston) mother, a Frump by blood. This consolidated the two distinct grandmother characters into one figure. Carol Kane assumed the role in “Addams Family Values,” giving her a more eccentric and playful persona while maintaining her as Morticia’s mother. However, the narrative became confusing again due to various adaptations. The 1992 Hanna-Barbera animated series, which ran alongside the film era, reverted back to the original continuity, featuring Carol Channing voicing a Grandmama who was once again Gomez’s mother. The late ’90s live-action remake, “The New Addams Family,” further added to this inconsistency, with Betty Phillips portraying Grandmama Eudora Addams, who was also Gomez’s mother.
The evolution persisted even into the 21st century, as the Broadway musical portrayed Jackie Hoffman as a Grandmama whose ancestry was left unclear, yet she was depicted as being 102 years old. More recently, animated films like “The Addams Family” and its sequel returned to the original TV series’ storyline, with Bette Midler providing the voice for a Grandmama who was Gomez’s mother. However, this portrayal showcased a sharper and more cynical character than previous ones. In essence, Grandmama’s persona, name, and even her family line have experienced continuous changes, making her the most adaptable character in the entire Addams family ensemble.
Grandmama Is a Frump in Wednesday (& She’s Nothing Like an Old Hag)
In the second season of “Wednesday,” Grandmama’s role is redefined, departing from her previously established personality. Portrayed by Joanna Lumley, this new Grandmama is a chic, wealthy, and ruthlessly manipulative matriarch of the Frump funeral homes, one of the most prosperous businesses owned by Outcasts. The series introduces her as a character who has a tense and adversarial relationship with her daughter, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who views her as a cunning woman who exploits people for personal gain.
As a movie reviewer, I’d say: In this gripping series, the central conflict arises from Morticia’s heart-wrenching tale of her sister Ophelia. Overwhelmed by her psychic abilities that brought only pain and torment, Ophelia wept black tears, leading Grandmama to commit her against Morticia’s vehement protests into the Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital. Moved by his sister’s plight, Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) bravely broke into the institution to save Ophelia, but was told she had already escaped. However, as Season 2 unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that this might have been a deception, as Ophelia could well have fallen victim to the clandestine and inhumane LOIS program – a long-term study hidden within the hospital’s depths, aiming to replicate Outcast powers in ordinary individuals.
Currently, Grandmama’s affluence attracts the attention of Barry Dort, the latest principal at Nevermore, who exploits Bianca by compelling her to employ her abilities as a siren for family reconciliation, with the aim of receiving a substantial donation. Upon her return, Grandmama’s manipulative behavior becomes evident. She presents Wednesday with a cemetery as a gift, an action that is clearly intended to antagonize Morticia. Later, she attempts to persuade Morticia to hand over Goody’s book of shadows, the very artifact that Morticia concealed to shield her daughter from experiencing Ophelia’s destiny.
Morticia fiercely destroys a book to emphasize her family’s safety is inviolable, creating a divide with her mother. As for the rest of the season, it remains unclear how they will address their disagreement. The show, however, presents Grandmama in a new light as a stern and powerful adversary within the family, a stark contrast to her traditionally humorous portrayal.
On Netflix, you can now stream the first part of Season 2 for the series titled “Wednesday” (Part 1), and mark your calendars for September 3, 2025, as that’s when Part 2 is set to release!
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but wonder: Will our beloved Grandmama find a way to reunite with Morticia and Wednesday again? I’d love to hear your thoughts and predictions on this intriguing possibility. Please share them below!
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2025-08-07 01:42