Jenna Ortega’s Top 10 Roles Beyond Wednesday Addams

Jenna Ortega is currently very popular for playing Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday, but she’s been working as an actor for years. Before Wednesday made her a household name, Ortega started her career as a child, steadily gaining experience in both television and movies.

Jenna Ortega started her career with smaller parts, which allowed her to learn the ropes of acting while working alongside experienced casts. This consistent work ethic and dedication built a strong foundation for her career. While she initially focused on television, it was clear from the beginning that she had bigger goals.

Starting her career with roles in shows for families and teens, she built a strong understanding of emotions and comedic timing. This foundation helped her later as she pursued the type of filmmaking she envisioned. As a teenager, Ortega began taking on more challenging roles, playing characters with darker stories and complicated inner lives.

As a film fan, I’ve been really impressed watching Jenna Ortega’s career. It’s cool how her early work as a kid actor allowed her to experiment and figure out what she wanted to do, before anyone else had expectations. It became pretty clear she had a knack for, and really connected with, darker roles, especially in horror – she just naturally gravitated towards that stuff. And lately, I’ve noticed she’s been focusing more on films than TV, which is exciting to see!

As a film fan, I’ve been watching Jenna Ortega’s rise with real interest. Even before “Wednesday” blew up, she was quickly becoming a major force in Hollywood. What I admire is how she manages to do big, mainstream projects while still taking chances on more interesting, unconventional roles. She’s not letting herself get typecast at all – she’s genuinely exploring different genres and proving her range, which is so refreshing to see.

10. Stuck In The Middle

Jenna Ortega became well-known for her role as Harley Diaz on the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle. Harley was a creative and resourceful middle child in a large family with six siblings. Playing Harley allowed Ortega to take on a leading role and showcase her talents after years of working in the industry.

Jenna Ortega’s part on the Disney Channel sitcom gave her a first experience of being famous. While it wasn’t a type of role she preferred later in her career, she was applauded for playing Harley with confidence, smarts, and a good sense of humor.

9. American Carnage

Released in 2022, American Carnage is a suspenseful thriller that combines political and social issues with horror. Actress Jenna Ortega stars as Camila, a young woman caught up in a frightening scenario involving an imprisoned immigrant. The film became available on streaming services and, despite receiving mixed reviews overall, Ortega’s performance was widely applauded.

Critics consistently praised Ortega’s performance as a highlight of American Carnage. They noted her ability to portray fear and strength with subtle emotion, making the story feel more realistic and impactful. She didn’t rely on over-the-top reactions, which contributed to the performance’s strength.

8. Studio 666

In the horror-comedy Studio 666, Jenna Ortega acted alongside the Foo Fighters in a movie created by the band themselves. She played a neighbor who gets caught up in the spooky events happening at the band’s haunted recording studio, blending a fictional supernatural story with a touch of realism.

The movie received very mixed reactions, but Jenna Ortega’s performance was particularly praised for making the often-silly scenes feel genuinely scary and suspenseful. This role further established her as a leading horror actress for today’s audiences.

7. You

In the second season of You, which moved to Netflix after originally airing on Lifetime, Jenna Ortega played the character Ellie Alves. The show, a psychological thriller starring Penn Badgley as the troubled Joe Goldberg, featured Ortega’s character becoming involved with Joe as he continued his dangerous and obsessive patterns.

Reviewers praised Jenna Ortega’s performance alongside John Badgley, noting she confidently held her own despite his extensive experience. Ortega brought emotional depth and authenticity to her character, portraying her as both vulnerable and remarkably intelligent throughout the season.

6. Scream VI

Jenna Ortega returned as Tara Carpenter in Scream VI, continuing the role she first took on in 2022 and expanded in 2023. This latest Scream movie gave her character a more prominent and important part in the story.

Jenna Ortega’s performance in the second Scream movie was praised for being more emotionally complex than her work in the first film. Her portrayal of Tara, dealing with the aftermath of the previous events through fear, trauma, and strength, had a greater impact on Scream VI and solidified her role within the franchise.

5. Miller’s Girl

Jenna Ortega’s performance in Miller’s Girl sparked a lot of debate, but she ultimately received positive reviews for her acting. The film, a psychological thriller co-starring Martin Freeman, delves into the complex and often unsettling relationships, manipulation, and questionable ethics found within the world of academia.

The movie sparked a lot of disagreement due to its sensitive topic, but reviewers consistently praised Ortega’s performance. They noted her skill in handling difficult scenes with subtlety, depth, and emotional maturity, solidifying her reputation as a strong dramatic actress.

4. Jane The Virgin

Jenna Ortega’s role on Jane the Virgin was an important step in her career. The show regularly featured flashbacks to Jane Villanueva’s childhood, and Ortega played young Jane throughout the series’ five seasons, making her a familiar face to viewers.

The show was praised by everyone for its story and acting, and Jenna Ortega’s performance stood out. Critics often commented on her incredible ability to perfectly copy the way the character moved and expressed emotions. Her work showed she was already skilled at creating a believable and consistent character, and delivering excellent comedic moments alongside other actors.

3. Scream

In the 2022 reboot of Scream, Jenna Ortega played Tara and was featured in a striking opening scene where her character was attacked but survived. This scene effectively introduced the new direction of the Scream franchise and was highly praised by viewers as a standout moment in the film.

Although some critics had minor issues with the 2022 film Scream, they praised Jenna Ortega’s performance for giving the story its emotional weight. Ortega played a key role in reviving the Scream franchise and making the film a success in the horror genre.

2. X

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Ti West’s 2022 horror film, X, is a slasher set in 1971. It follows Jenna Ortega and a group of young filmmakers who find themselves targeted by a violent attacker. The film debuted at SXSW and received positive reviews, with critics praising both the cast as a whole and Ortega’s performance in particular.

Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Lorraine was compelling, showing a character who evolved from being guarded and inquisitive to genuinely frightened. While the film leaned into exploitation tropes, reviewers commended Ortega’s dedication to building a believable and nuanced character throughout the story.

1. The Fallout

Jenna Ortega gave one of her best performances in Megan Park’s film, The Fallout. The movie powerfully portrays the emotional impact of a high school shooting, and Ortega plays Vada, a student dealing with feelings of guilt, trauma, and loss, alongside a classmate.

Jenna Ortega received praise for her subtle and moving performance when the film was released on HBO Max. Critics particularly noted her ability to portray grief in a deeply personal way, establishing her as a talented dramatic actress. Many saw The Fallout as a key moment in her career, showcasing her potential in serious roles.

2025-12-13 17:01