Ophelia Was Played by the Morticia Actor in the Original

ABC

Wednesday is a fantastic mystery thriller show, and, of course, part of the larger Addams family universe. The concept began with the Charles Addams comics and expanded to hit the small screen with the 1960s series The Addams Family, followed by many movies and other projects in the decades since. But the first show, which premiered in 1964, set the stage for what these characters might look like, how they might act, and the dynamic of the family for the first time, in live action.

In that series, Carolyn Jones played Morticia Addams, the classically beautiful woman and mother. She has the signature look that fits with Addams’ drawings of her, including long, dark hair and always wearing a long, black dress. She is typically cool, calm, and collected, in stark contrast to her more animated and expressive husband, Gomez, played by John Astin in that sitcom.

Along with the main family members, friends, and employees, other Addams family relatives appeared on the show from time to time, and one of them was Aunt Ophelia. She was played by none other than Jones as well. The older of the two sisters, she has flowers throughout her blonde hair with roots that travel to her feet. She’s considered to be a flower child, but also fiercely strong and musical. Interestingly, the character of Ophelia wasn’t part of Addams’ original comics: she was added alongside Cousin Itt specifically for the show, after which they were added to family portraits that Addams drew.

Wednesday Might Follow Suit and Pay Homage

Image via Netflix

Since Jones took on the double duty of playing Ophelia in the original, it’s logical to assume that Wednesday might do the same with Zeta-Jones. In the series, the writers switch things up a little, and Ophelia is the younger sister rather than the older. But it’s also possible they are close in age. If not, the show may look to a much younger actor to play the character and divert from what was done in the original.

For now, there isn’t much to go on. Wednesday feels a connection to her aunt, seeing her in a vision while looking through Ophelia’s old journal that her mother gifted to her. But Ophelia’s face was not visible. What’s more, she’s presented as a potential villain whose prophecy seems to declare that death must come upon her niece. Being held captive in her mother, Grandmama Hester Frump’s (Joanna Lumley) basement, as shown in the Season 2 finale “This Means Woe,” it’s evident that Ophelia is still suffering from a mental breakdown and isn’t quite herself. The conditions of how she has been living and the toll that overusing her powers have taken on her could impact how she looks. But viewers only see her from behind. She has long, straight grey hair that’s eerily similar to Morticia’s in all but color and, of course, lustre and sheen. It’s easy to imagine that this is simply Zeta-Jones with her back turned.

As an Academy Award-winning actor, Zeta-Jones would certainly be able to pull it off, and it would add to both the comedy and the darkness of the show, seeing her play such differing roles. With the understanding that Ophelia was driven mad after overusing her powers, her personality would likely be anything but calm, timid, or quiet. She’d be the antithesis of Morticia. Zeta-Jones has openly talked about how much she loves playing the role of Morticia, so adding Ophelia to the mix could be a fitting challenge.

It Isn’t the First Time Someone Took on a Dual Role In the Show

Image via Netflix

If Zeta-Jones does take on the character of Ophelia, it wouldn’t be the first time the show has gone this route. Ortega played Goody Addams, her spirit guide in the first season, in a dual role. Goody had an integral role in the plot, and in the end, she gave her life (rather, her spirit life) to save Wednesday’s life. But her introduction, complete with the matching hairstyle to Wednesday, combined with the historical outfit, shows that the Addams family members through history all bear striking resemblances to one another.

The Freaky Friday-like Season 2, Episode 6, “Woe Thyself,” introduced another interesting comparison, where Wednesday and Enid, the two characters played by Ortega and Myers, switch bodies. It’s a perfect example of what a Morticia and Ophelia dynamic could look like, introducing an Enid-like version of Morticia in that she’s the complete opposite of her sister, in a different way, yet looks the same.

Having Zeta-Jones play both characters could go either way in the eyes of viewers. It could level up the intensity when they finally come face to face after so many years, maybe even add a dose of comedy. But it also runs the risk of coming across as corny, a gimmick to anyone who might not realize the respect the move would be paying to the original series and actor.

Fans Are Hopeful Ophelia Is Catherine Zeta-Jones

If the role has yet to be officially cast or the writers are still mulling it over, this theory might be a good one to follow because it seems fans are all for Zeta-Jones handling the dual role and the series making a nod to the original live action show. A Redditor says they hope it will be Zeta-Jones as her “performances are excellent.” While another adds they would “love for Catherine Zeta Jones to do it.” “Considering Carolyn Jones played Tish and Ophelia,” adds another while stating, “it makes sense to keep her in both roles.”

With that said, Redditors are all over fan-casting ideas as well, dropping names like Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Carla Gugino, Julia Roberts, Helena Bonham Carter, Hannah Waddingham, and Reneé Zellweger as actors they’d like to see in, and think would do a good job with, the role. Any of those choices would be fine ones for the character that is confirmed to have a role in Season 3, alongside other Addams family members that will be introduced. What’s more important about who plays Ophelia is how her story will play into the larger plot, why she wants to kill Wednesday, and what Morticia will do when she learns the truth.