Jenna Ortega Hints at Extended Television Hiatus After Wednesday Ends

Jenna Ortega recently announced that she intends to take an extended break from television once her hit Netflix series Wednesday concludes. Speaking on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, the 24-year-old actress explained that she has not been engaging in franchise conversations and is eager to explore new professional opportunities after years of working consistently in television.

"What I'm meant to do will come and find me," Ortega said during the podcast appearance. "I think after Wednesday, I'll probably be off the TV for a while. You know I had many years doing TV. I was bouncing from show to show as a kid and I want to leave time for new things."

Production on the third season of Wednesday wrapped in September, with the upcoming episodes slated for a 2027 release on Netflix. While the show remains a massive success for the streaming platform, neither Netflix nor Ortega has officially confirmed whether the third season will mark the definitive end of the series.

Ortega's decision to step back follows a childhood spent working in the entertainment industry, starting with television roles at age nine in Jane the Virgin and Disney's Stuck in the Middle. In previous interviews, she has reflected openly on the intense pressures placed on young actors in adult workplaces, noting that her desire to avoid being difficult led her to push her physical limits on set without properly looking after her own health.

Beyond television, Ortega continues to build her feature film portfolio. She recently starred in Taika Waititi's sci-fi drama adaptation Klara and the Sun, based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival. Her upcoming film projects include J.J. Abrams's The Great Beyond, scheduled for release in October 2027, alongside a new version of the thriller Single White Female.

In addition to her career reflections, Ortega recently appeared on the cover of Vogue's November issue, showcasing a Miu Me minidress in a profile highlighting her transition into this new chapter of her life and career. She also shared that she intentionally distances herself from the public reception of her work, stating that she avoids watching her own films or reading reviews to protect her mental well-being.