Good goth!

Jenna Ortega and the cast reveal what's in store for Wednesday and the Addams in the black comedy

- WORDS: LAURA CARRENO-MÜLLER

She's only 22 years old but Wednesday star Jenna Ortega is already stepping behind the camera after being mentored by the legendary film director Tim Burton.

The actress is a producer on the eagerly awaited second series of Wednesday, which follows the Addams family teen's adventures at school and features a star-studded cast. Catherine Zeta-Jones returns as Wednesday's glamorous mother Morticia and Luis Guzmán is back as her father Gomez, while Steve Buscemi joins as Nevermore Academy head principal Barry Dort and Dame Joanna Lumley plays Grandmama Hester Frump. Thandiwe Newton also stars as psychiatrist Dr Rachael Fairburn and onetime pop singer Billie Piper plays Nevermore's head of music Isadora Capri.

"It's been a really amazing experience being a producer," says Jenna. "It's been so cool being a part of conversations, talking about the colour of blood, or the colour of prosthetics and if the brain isn't big enough. Things that are silly, but really do make a big difference on the show."

Fresh from Jenna and director Tim's collaboration on the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim is back to direct episodes and is full of praise for the star. "There was no question about it. That's who the character is, and she brings so much to it," says Tim, 66. "She's a real equal part of and partner in this process. She's smart, she's easy and fun to work with, and she knows her character."