The next season of Netflix hit Wednesday might begin filming in Ireland as early as next year as rumours fly that Wicklow might become the new home of The Addams Family spin-off.
The first season of the show was filmed in Romania and quickly became the most popular English-language series on the platform when it was released last November.
Producers now plan to film the second season in Ireland after facing “logistical challenges” during production in Romania.
Wednesday follows the story of Wednesday Addams, the daughter of Morticia and Gomez, after she is shipped off to the magical boarding school of Nevermore Academy during the first season, which featured locations including the gothic Cantacuzino Castle and Bucharest Botanical Gardens.
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’
Location scouts might already have their eye on Ballinastoe in Co Wicklow, the National Botanical Gardens in Dublin or one of the many castles in the midlands to take their place.
Travel agency Expedia recently revealed Romania could become a trending travel destination as a result of the show, while England had a bump in tourism thanks to other Netflix hits such as Bridgerton and The Crown.
Wicklow could be a top contender for the streaming giant to consider, given the county has a proven track record of hosting big Hollywood productions such as The Pope’s Exorcist and Disney’s Disenchanted.
“We’ve been recognised as the Hollywood of Europe – that was a brand that was given to us by Jane Seymour,” said Wicklow tourism officer Fred Verdier, who was delighted to learn the county was mooted to become the next state of Vermont, where the show is set.
He said hit show Vikings: Valhalla had already brought fans to Lough Tay, Powerscourt Waterfall and the Blessington Lakes, while Game of Thrones has provided Northern Ireland with a tourism boom.
Jenna Ortega in the Netflix hit, ‘Wednesday’
“To be part of such a massive production again would be excellent,” Mr Verdier said. “It’s a great show.”
Áine Moriarty, chief executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA), said the film and TV industry in Ireland had “gone from strength to strength on an international stage in the past few years”.
“Wednesday, one of Netflix’s biggest global successes with 252 million views worldwide, coming to Ireland is another fantastic opportunity for international productions to utilise the highly skilled workforce within the Irish film industry, the unique locations we have to offer and the increasing volume and standard of studio space.”
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in ‘Wednesday’. Image: Netflix
One Irish casting director, who has worked with Netflix on a number of productions, said the streaming giant “understandably” liked to keep project details under wraps, but it was no surprise that it might have its sights set on Ireland.
“Ireland has so much potential. It has beautiful landscapes, amazing castles and there are locations for breathtaking scenes,” they said. “It’s such a small country, but there is just so much talent here.
“The industry has changed so much in the last few years, and I can’t wait to see what will be done in the years to come.”
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