Fred Armisen Reveals What He Learned from Jenna Ortega While Working on Wednesday (Exclusive)

Fred Armisen says he picked up an important lesson from his Wednesday costar Jenna Ortega while filming season 2 of the hit Netflix show.

Armisen, who plays Uncle Fester on the series, spoke to PEOPLE exclusively while attending the Wednesday season 2, Part One World Premiere in London on July 30. During the conversation at Central Hall Westminster, the SNL alum shares that Ortega, 22, inspired him to be more “meticulous” and “pay attention” as a scene partner. 

“It’s great watching Jenna, because she keeps track of the script in this way that she understands the logic of her character,” Armisen, 58, says.

He adds, “It’s not like she just shows up and it’s like, ‘I’m just gonna do this character.’ She’s like, ‘Why does this moment count? So she’s very meticulous, and it makes me want to be more like her. I’m like, ‘No, I gotta […] pay attention.’ ”

The comedian goes on to share one of his favorite behind-the-scenes moments while filming the upcoming season.

“There was a scene in the insane asylum, and it’s raining and it really felt like ‘Wow. I’m really on a TV show,’ you know? This fake rain and lightning and stuff, and it, it just makes me feel like if I was a little kid watching myself, I’d be like, ‘Wow, I’m really on a TV show.’ “

Armisen isn’t the only Wednesday actor to rave about Ortega’s talent and work ethic. Season 2 star Steve Buscemi called the actress “the best” while speaking exclusively to PEOPLE while attending the Family Dinner fundraising event hosted by Exploring the Arts in New York City in April.

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“Oh, she’s great,” Buscemi, 67, told PEOPLE at the time. “She’s just, she’s so sharp and funny and down to earth. And just a wonderful actress, a wonderful scene partner. The best.”

Christina Ricci — who played Wednesday in the original Tim Burton Addams Family films, and who also appears in season 1 of Wednesday as Marilyn Thornhill — echoed the sentiment while speaking to Variety back in 2022.

“Jenna is incredible,” Ricci, 45, said of Ortega. “I saw some of the wardrobe photos before I went [to set], so I knew [what she looked like in character] and I was like, it’s such a great modern take on Wednesday.”

The season 2 London premiere was a star-studded affair, with appearances by Ortega, Buscemi, Emma Myers, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joy Sunday, Tim Burton and more.

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Season 2, Part One of Wednesday debuts on Netflix on Wednesday, Aug. 6, followed by Part Two on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Season 1 of Wednesday is currently available to stream in full on Netflix.