Joanna Lumley unrecognisable as she undergoes huge makeover for Netflix hit Wednesday

The plot thickens in Wednesday's second season as the hit Netflix dives deep into the Addams family dynamics – Joanna Lumley has even joined the cast as a member of the comically macabre clan.

At 22 years old, You and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega is already stepping behind the camera after being mentored by legendary director Tim Burton. The actress is a producer on the eagerly awaited second series of Wednesday, which follows the Addams family star’s adventures at school and features a star-studded cast.

Catherine Zeta-Jones returns as Wednesday’s glamorous mother Morticia andLuis Guzmán is back as her father Gomez, while Steve Buscemi is joining as Nevermore Academy head Principle Barry Dort and Dame Joanna Lumley joins as Grandmama Hester Frump. Thandiwe Newton stars as psychiatrist Dr Rachael Fairburn and former pop star Billie Piper will play head of music Isadora Capri.

Meanwhile, Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna, 79, has undertaken the role of Grandmama Frump, Morticia's mother. The actress has undergone a huge makeover for the role – ditching her signature blonde locks for a spooky silver do and wearing dark makeup. Joanna looks sensational in a glimpse of the show, as she is wearing a figure-hugging black dress with a plunging neckline, dramatic collar and long sleeves and appears to have completely embraced the role.

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Ahead of the release of the second series, which is set to premiere next week, producer and star Jenna and Tim revealed what it was like to work with on-screen icon Joanna.

Speaking about Joanna''s entrance into the Netflix hit, he teases: “As we all know, at Christmastime when you bring the family together, that’s when the nightmare begins.

“That was fun to play with, and having Joanna Lumley as Morticia’s mother just made it extra special.” While Jenna adds: “She is just the sweetest. Every time I saw her on set, and she called me ‘honey’ or ‘darling’ or ‘baby,’ I just melted. She’s got the sweetest voice and she’s hilarious.”

Jenna adds: “She is just the sweetest. Every time I saw her on set, and she called me ‘honey’ or ‘darling’ or ‘baby,’ I just melted. She’s got the sweetest voice and she’s hilarious.”

Meanwhile, Jenna also discussed producing the series as well as starring. “It’s been a really amazing experience being a producer,” Jenna says. “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 quite silly, but really do make a big difference on the show.”

Fresh from Jenna and director Tim’s collaboration on 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,” Tim says. “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.”

The feeling is mutual. “He’s one of the funniest people I know and probably my favourite directors I’ve ever worked with, so it’s nice to have gotten into such a routine,” Jenna says. “We’ve got quite comfortable, especially after Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

On screen though, things are far from easygoing and season two kicks off with a bang. “This season we start off with Wednesday being kidnapped,” Jenna says, “I don’t think I’m going to explain too much more than that.”

Filming for Wednesday has now moved from Romania to Ireland, which Jenna discovered for the first time. But big changes are happening inside Nevermore Academy, too.

Following the death of Principal Larissa Weems (Gwendoline Christie), the school welcomes a new headmaster, Principal Dort. “I worked with Steve Buscemi many, many years ago, and I always wanted to again,” says Tim. “It was such a pleasure to work with him on this because he brought something different.”

Dort is no carbon copy of Weems. “Weems was very much about trying to fit into things,” Tim says, “Every new principal brings in their own agenda. They bring in their own kind of ‘Nevermore forever’ attitude.”

Among the new faces at Nevermore is a familiar one: Wednesday’s younger brother, Pugsley. Played by Isaac Ordonez, Pugsley becomes fascinated by the tale of the Skull Tree.

“It’s about a Nevermore legend, one of Nevermore’s greatest minds,” Isaac explains, “He created amazing inventions, including his own clockwork heart. But the longer he had his clockwork heart, the darker he became.

Eventually, one of his inventions malfunctioned and it led to his death. Naturally, Pugsley takes things a step further: “My character hears this story and is inspired to go dig him up, revive him, and try to be friends with him.”

The Addams family drama doesn’t stop there. Wednesday’s mother Morticia gets a job at Nevermore, much to her daughter’s dismay. “Morticia being more associated with Nevermore is not something that Wednesday anticipated,” Morticia star Catherine says. “The family being more associated with Nevermore is a little bit of a thorn in Wednesday’s side.”

Despite the on-screen tension, Jenna only has admiration for her co-star. “She’s so easy to work with,” Jenna says. “I feel really lucky to have experienced this mother-daughter dynamic with someone as incredible as Catherine.”

Off-screen, Jenna is still navigating the pressures that come with the role. She’s previously opened up about living with OCD and anxiety - and leading a beloved series at just 18 wasn’t without challenges.

“When we started the show, I was 18 and had never worked with a director as big as Tim. I had led a show before, but not with a character that was so well known and loved prior to me joining,” she says.

“It’s a relief, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that I still don’t feel super anxious or feel like I have something I need to live up to every day on set. Maybe that’s a good thing, but it hasn’t gotten easier.”

But while Jenna treads gently, Wednesday strides. “She’s gotten a little bit more comfortable,” Jenna says. “She’s learned to take things maybe slightly less seriously - or be a bit more playful.”

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