Steve Buscemi’s Arrival Signals Bolder Times at Nevermore Academy
Here’s a big shakeup: Wednesday Season 2 has landed Steve Buscemi as Principal Barry Dort, tossing Nevermore Academy into uncharted waters. Replacing the mysterious and strict Principal Weems (played by the late Gwendoline Christie), Buscemi’s Dort isn’t your average headmaster. He’s a self-proclaimed champion for outcasts and doesn’t mind embracing the weird or the rebellious. Instead of cold discipline, Dort actually wants Wednesday Addams’ approval—how’s that for a twist on school authority?
Buscemi isn’t just an oddball for oddball’s sake. He’s known for quirky, heartfelt roles, and his chemistry with this season’s cast stands out already. He’s worked before with Christina Ricci (who brought everyone’s favorite original Wednesday to life in the ’90s), and filming with Jenna Ortega—Wednesday herself—apparently kept him on his toes. He’s called her ‘sharp, funny, and wonderful’ in every scene. Their respect bounces off the screen, matching the tension between Dort and Wednesday’s "prove yourself" attitude.
New Faces, New Mysteries, and Darker Depths
The writers aren’t following the typical formula this time. The show isn’t just about snappy comebacks and monster mysteries anymore. Billie Piper has jumped on board as the no-nonsense head of music, and she’s expected to stir up as much drama in the orchestra pit as the principal does in the head office. Meanwhile, Thandiwe Newton joins as Dr. Rachael Fairburn, the psychiatrist charged with overseeing Tyler’s fate inside Willow Hill Psychiatric Facility—a place inspired by the grim atmosphere of Arkham Asylum. Heather Matarazzo also pops up as Dr. Fairburn’s quietly observant assistant, Judi, adding extra layers to Tyler’s ongoing saga.
What’s different about this season? The tone has gotten a lot moodier. Showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar are pushing past high school tropes into psychological, even gothic, territory. The world now stretches far beyond Nevermore’s gothic gates. The Willow Hill institution brings a much darker edge, focusing on characters who don't fit the mold—those ‘outcasts’ the principal is supposed to protect. The balance between loyalty and suspicion, authority and rebellion, is always shifting.
The fallout from last season’s chaos still lingers. As Principal Dort steps in, students are caught between his promises of acceptance and the school’s dangerous secrets. The new principal’s agenda is stirring up staff and students alike, especially as the boundaries between friend and foe keep blurring. With these fresh faces and deeper stories, Nevermore Academy is about to feel a whole lot less safe—and a lot more interesting.
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *