Every Wednesday Character Ranked By Likability

Netflix's "Wednesday" brings a fresh, fun new twist to the kooky Addams family fans have adored for years. The series brings old and new characters to Nevermore Academy, where mayhem ensues in every episode and distinct personalities clash in various ways. As a story focusing mainly on the titular character, "Wednesday" allows viewers to get to know critical characters on deeper levels that make them even more pleasant. Or, perhaps, dreadful — Wednesday Addams would prefer it that way. What makes a character likable or unlikable so often depends on how much they show the audience, their part of the story, and how memorable they are.

As much as "Wednesday" blends new and old elements, it does a brilliant job of creating ensemble storylines that allow even guest characters to play key roles in the overarching story. Though some people we meet in the first episode don't make it to the very end, they still serve the plot, teaching the remaining characters what's necessary to break down what's occurring behind closed doors at Nevermore. Further, as a story with plenty of nooks and crannies, it's apparent by the season finale that this is only the beginning for these characters and the layers viewers will uncover within them. In a sense, the series has no unlikable characters because even the outright villains have compelling motives driving them. Still, there's good and bad everywhere, and "Wednesday" is no exception.

This article contains major spoilers for "Wednesday" Season 1.

Dr. Valerie Kinbott isn't unlikable, but unfortunately, she doesn't give the audience much to hold onto, either. By the time the series ends, viewers barely know who she is and what she stands for. While we could assume that her role as a therapist equates to a compassionate person wanting to help people, it's hard to believe it when, for the most part, she can't seem to connect with any of her patients. Even though she apparently establishes a bond with Xavier, we only hear of these sessions secondhand through Wednesday's dialogue.

She's critical to the story as someone the kids should be seeing as a means to help deescalate their battles within, but the series should've given her a chance to approach Wednesday in the same way that Thornhill does. Instead, in the final confrontation, we hear Kinbott dismiss Wednesday in a manner that's definitely not appropriate for a psychiatrist speaking with patients, even though Wednesday is entirely out of line with her accusations. Kinbott is dismissive at times, and though she doesn't deserve her untimely death, it's a bit hard to care for her.

Like Dr. Kinbott and Sheriff Galpin, Xavier Thorpe falls between likable and unlikable. It's not really his fault that he appears to be somewhat creepy at times — otherwise, he wouldn't work as well as a red herring murder suspect. Simultaneously, there's still much about him we need to know to determine his personality. From what we can see, however, Xavier values transparency and agency. We initially learn this when he asks Bianca if she used her powers on him, indicating that their relationship might've been a lie. Because of this, he leans more towards likable than unlikable because viewers understand that he operates on honesty.

Xavier shows up in the series as both a loner and a popular kid, which is unique for the teen drama genre that generally focuses on one or the other. But when we learn that he values privacy and insists that people treat him as he treats them, his character begins to play a more critical role. When he's free, viewers see that — like Sheriff Galpin — Xavier is capable of atoning for his wrongs. In the end of "Wednesday," he's the first person to gift Wednesday a cellphone and potentially become another trustworthy friend.

Christopher Lloyd's version of Uncle Fester might be just as influential as Christina Ricci's Wednesday, but Fred Armisen more than does the character justice on "Wednesday." The onetime "Portlandia" star brings the bonkers and spooky "Addams" staple to life with his approach to the character's adoration for his niece and nephew. Though viewers only get to see him in the series' seventh episode, he seamlessly reminds the audience why he's a favorite relative from the moment he appears on the screen. 

The thing about Uncle Fester is that we never know quite what he's up to, but that's part of his appeal. Despite his ambiguity, he often makes the audience trust him regardless. He's a family man through and through, which effortlessly seeps onto the screen as he drops by Nevermore to check on Wednesday. He's also the one to revive Thing with his electrical powers after Wednesday finds him unconscious from a stab wound. Should the series return for a second season, Uncle Fester should be in it far more so the audience can witness additional hijinks.

When we first meet Bianca Barclay, she's a typical teen drama mean girl. As an outcast, Bianca is a siren. Through her treatment of Wednesday and her past relationship with Xavier, the series initially frames Bianca as a villain. But because of Joy Sunday's performance and the vulnerability we see from Bianca in the final two episodes, she ends Season 1 as a rivetingly complex character who deserves a second chance. Plus, any character who's willing to grow and become a better version of themselves is always worthy of being likable.

In Episode 6, "Quid Pro Woe," she tells Lucas, "I'm trying not to turn into my mother. She's like the ghost of b@#$%iness future." At this moment, viewers can understand that Bianca's actions come from wanting to please people more than the thrill of bringing others down. She then vocalizes that her mother firmly believes that sirens can never change their scales, but Bianca insists on proving her wrong. When she joins Wednesday in the finale to fight against the hyde monster, Bianca proves that sirens can change their scales, metaphorically speaking, and that she's more of a team player than a queen bee.

Luis Guzmán's Gomez Addams is just as obsessed and in love with his wife as any Addams Family fan would hope he'd be. The compliments are never-ending, clever, and remarkably fresh. He's so in love with her that it's gloriously sickening and results in a scene where Wednesday, Pugsley, and Lurch all roll their eyes while they're in the car with the venerable couple. The man worships the ground Morticia walks on, sings to her, and would die for her in a heartbeat — what's not to love?

Further, the characterization of Gomez Addams in Netflix's "Wednesday" allows us to see glimpses of who he was as a teen. In the short flashbacks we get, there's proof of the detail that, like Pugsley, he's a bit more reserved when it comes to fighting, showcasing that the fire that lives in Wednesday comes from Morticia. "Wednesday" cements the detail that Gomez's likability essentially comes from his softness. He's a man willing to forgive and open every piece of himself up so long as his family is happy. He's also a man who undoubtedly knows his children well, not only choosing to appreciate them as they are but encouraging all their quips.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is electrifying as Morticia Addams as she brings a somber vulnerability to the character that strengthens the mother-slash-daughter relationship. From the moment we see Morticia, there's a look in her eyes that tells viewers there's much to uncover when it comes to her story. As the season progresses and the Addamses find themselves in Nevermore, secrets come to life showcasing not only Morticia's bravery but her desperation to connect with her daughter and understand her.

Principal Weems tells the audience that Morticia always had a unique perspective. And while this is something the audience certainly sees through the entire family's kookiness, "Wednesday" gives the character fascinating depth by allowing her plenty of range. Viewers learn that during her time at Nevermore, Morticia was captain of the fencing team, queen of the dark prom, and president of the séance society. It's also evident from day one that all Morticia wants is for Wednesday to feel cherished and understood wherever she is. She holds a profound grudge against Garett Gates for his viewpoints and actions toward outcasts, which ultimately tells us that, like Weems, she's a character who cares about those who are different. She relishes in it and elevates it. At the same time, she's tremendously patient because while she wants and tries hard to be closer to Wednesday, she allows her daughter the agency to come to everything on her own terms.

Sometimes, the titular character of a series isn't always the most likable, but that's not the case with Wednesday Addams. She's not only likable, but profoundly lovable as the series brings soaring new depths to her personality. Wednesday admits that she secretly adores it when people dislike her, but the truth is she doesn't abhor people as much as she wishes she did. Wednesday's capacity for love runs far and wide because no one else would unleash piranhas in a pool full of her brother's bullies. She might not have conventional ways of exhibiting how much she cares, but the empathy within her extends always toward the underdogs — the people fighting for something bigger and more meaningful. It's why she wants Pugsley to develop a thicker skin, why she challenges Enid, and why she connects with Tyler initially. 

The season takes her from a reluctant heroine determined not to make any friends at Nevermore to a character who grows to understand that there's strength in numbers. She might not want us to discuss the tears she sheds for Thing when she believes he's dead, but that's the cold, hard proof of the life in her. Wednesday would fight through hell and back for those she loves, killing them if necessary if they ever dare die on her first. (Her words, not ours. Wednesday is likeable, but not always easy to comprehend.) 

As much as she is her mother's daughter in her resilience, somewhere deep down, she's willing to forgive just like her father, and that's what the audience sees in her acceptance of Xavier's apology. Wednesday is straightforward and callous sometimes, but she could never harm those who don't deserve her wrath.