Fans Fear Lady Gaga Will 'Wreck' New Season of Beloved TV Series as She Reportedly Joins the Cast
The Academy Award-winning musician is back in the spotlight for an unexpected reason — she's set to make waves not with her voice but with her acting. Read on to discover what's next for Mother Monster!
Lady Gaga is reportedly set to join the cast of "Wednesday" for its second season, a development that has drawn significant attention and divided fans of the hit Netflix series.
A user comment on Lady Gaga, dated November 14, 2024 | Source: Facebook/entertainmentweekly
According to multiple sources, including Entertainment Weekly, Deadline, and Variety, the 38-year-old star will join the hit series in a capacity that has yet to be fully disclosed.
Gaga's involvement follows the viral success of her 2011 hit "Bloody Mary," which fans spliced together with a clip of Jenna Ortega's iconic dance scene from the show.
While the full details and exact nature of her role are unknown, the "LoveGame" singer is reportedly in Europe filming the second season of the fan-favorite series. The new season began production in late April 2024 in Ireland, as noted by Ortega in an interview.
This marks the latest of Gaga's acting roles, following her portrayal of Harley Quinn in "Joker: Folie à Deux" alongside Joaquin Phoenix. The "Bad Romance" singer's acting credits also include "House of Gucci" and "A Star Is Born," both of which earned her significant acclaim.
Lady Gaga in Beverly Hills on February 24, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
According to Variety, Gaga's participation in the new season of the mystery television series is expected to be a cameo. Sources revealed that while the production team had hoped to cast her in a larger role, this did not work out.
During the Golden Globe Awards in January 2023, "Wednesday" star Ortega revealed that she had hoped Gaga, also known as "Mother Monster" by her fans, would join the series and even proposed a storyline for her character.
Jenna Ortega on January 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
"I'm sure Netflix would love that," said the 22-year-old actress. "I think Mrs. Thornhill and Wednesday had this weird mentor relationship or kind of understood each other in a certain way, so, if Lady Gaga were to be a part, I think it would have to be two monsters that understand each other."
With fans divided over Gaga's reported addition to "Wednesday" season two, social media has been buzzing with reactions. Many viewers are concerned that Gaga's presence could alter the tone of the show, with some fearing that her history of musical roles might lead to unwanted musical elements in the series.
One user commented bluntly, "She will ruin it." Another shared a similar sentiment, worrying that "Now it's a terrible musical." Expressing frustration, a fan asked, "Why so she can destroy the show [sic]?"
A user comment on Lady Gaga, dated November 14, 2024 | Source: Instagram/entertainmenttonight
Some comments focused specifically on the possibility of Gaga bringing music into the storyline. "God I hope none of these episodes have her singing in them. We had enough of that in the newest Joker," wrote one concerned fan. Another added, "As long as she doesn't turn it into what she did with Joker 2: The Musical."
Others voiced disappointment with Gaga's recent acting performances. "She bombed in joker, so now she can wreck this [sic]," remarked a fan, while another wrote, "She needs to chill and focus on music or a Vegas residency. Her current role didn't make the cut with Joker. Something about her acting is beginning to feel forced."
Lady Gaga on September 30, 2024, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
While most responses were critical, a few fans expressed excitement about what Gaga might bring to the dark and quirky world of Wednesday.
"Lady Gaga in 'Wednesday' Season 2?! This is going to be iconic! Can't wait to see what kind of character she'll bring to the dark, quirky world of the Addams Family!" one enthusiastic viewer shared.
The cast of Netflix's "Wednesday" on November 16, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
However, other users remained skeptical. "Noooo she's a horrible actor. That House of Gucci was an absolute punish to watch. Just stick to singing [sic]," one fan commented.
Another even speculated that her involvement might lead to the show's decline, saying, "when the show gets canceled after the second season we know who to blame…[sic]" echoing another fan's warning, "oh great now the show is gonna tank and get cancelled [sic]."
The possibility of "Wednesday" taking on a musical tone also raised concerns. "They're not about to make 'Wednesday' a musical too, right? RIGHT??!" asked one fan. Similarly, another wrote, "Please don't sing though. Don't make it a musical."
Some fans seemed cautiously optimistic, hoping for a strong performance. "She better make up for that horrendous joker [sic] sequel 😭," shared one viewer. In contrast, a more neutral fan summed up their reaction as "Weirdly unsurprising, cool."
Netflix renewed "Wednesday" for a second season in January 2023. The cast lineup for the new season brings back several familiar faces, with Jenna Ortega reprising her role as Wednesday Addams.
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, as seen in a photo dated January 18, 2023 | Source: Instagram/wednesdaynetflix
Ortega, who is also set to serve as a producer for the season, will continue to portray the beloved Addams Family character as she embarks on more supernatural mysteries at Nevermore Academy.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán will return as Morticia and Gomez Addams, respectively, and both have been promoted to series regulars alongside Isaac Ordonez, who plays Pugsley Addams, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo as Deputy Ritchie Santiago.
Returning cast members also include Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair, Joy Sunday as Bianca Barclay, Moosa Mostafa as Eugene, Georgie Farmer as Ajax, and Victor Dorobantu, who portrays Thing.
Fred Armisen and Jamie McShane will reprise their guest roles as Uncle Fester and Sheriff Donovan Galpin, respectively. New additions to the cast include Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, Noah Taylor, and guest stars like Thandiwe Newton, Christopher Lloyd, and Haley Joel Osment.
The series, which first debuted in November 2022, quickly captured global attention, becoming one of Netflix's biggest hits. The show earned 12 Emmy nominations, winning four, and remains the streamer's most-watched English-language show to date.
Despite its success, production on Season 2 was delayed due to the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes that temporarily halted much of Hollywood. The storyline for the second season promises to explore new mysteries, with Wednesday herself at the center of more supernatural escapades.
According to Ortega, her character will continue to embody a strong-willed, uncompromising personality. "[Wednesday] sticks to her guns, and she's not out to please anybody," Ortega said in an interview with Netflix's Tudum in February 2023, noting that she admires Wednesday's commitment to authenticity.
Gaga's reported connection with the show traces back to a viral fan moment in 2022. When "Wednesday" premiered, a dance sequence featuring Ortega's titular character quickly gained popularity.
Originally set to The Cramps' 1981 track "Goo Goo Muck," fans edited the scene to Lady Gaga's "Bloody Mary" from her "Born This Way" album, giving it new life online.
The cultural crossover caught Gaga's attention, leading to a playful exchange on social media between her and the Wednesday character.
The two had a lighthearted interaction on X, with "Wednesday" approving of Gaga's "little monsters," while Gaga responded warmly, inviting her to the "Haus of Gaga." Inspired by the viral dance, the "Monster" singer even recreated the scene herself, adding her signature style to Ortega's dance moves.
Gaga's iconic "Bloody Mary" was used in "Wednesday's" official Season 2 announcement video, which may or may not have been a deliberate hint from the creators, potentially teasing the musician's involvement.
Now, as production advances, viewers eagerly anticipate how the pop icon's character might fit into the eerie world of "Wednesday" and whether her presence will enhance or alter the show's dynamic.