Jenna Ortega has revealed that she plans to take a break from acting after wrapping up her time on Netflix’s hit series Wednesday. The actress, who rose to fame as a child performer before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognisable young stars, wants to make room for new experiences beyond the screen.
The news comes as filming on the third season of Wednesday has wrapped, with the next instalment expected to arrive on Netflix in 2027. Although Ortega is not announcing her retirement, her comments suggest she is ready to reassess her career after spending much of her life working in television.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ortega reflected on her future and explained why she may spend some time away from acting once her current commitments come to an end.
Jenna Ortega Explains Why She Wants a Break From Acting
Ortega discussed her plans after being asked whether she had considered joining other major entertainment franchises. Rather than committing to another long-running project, the actress suggested she wants to leave her options open.
“I actually haven’t had a lot of franchise conversations,” she explained. “What I’m meant to do will come and find me.”
She went on to discuss the possibility of taking a step back from television after Wednesday, pointing to the amount of time she has already spent working in the industry.
“I think after Wednesday, I’ll probably be off the TV for a while,” Ortega said. “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.”
Her comments indicate that the decision is about exploring different opportunities rather than walking away from her career permanently. After years of moving between productions, she appears interested in discovering what life might look like without an immediate filming commitment.
For an actor who began working at a young age, taking time away could also offer an opportunity to explore interests and experiences outside the demanding schedules of film and television.
What Does Jenna Ortega’s Future Mean for Wednesday?
Ortega’s comments come as anticipation builds for the third season of Wednesday, the supernatural Netflix series that helped establish her as a leading figure in contemporary pop culture.
The actress plays Wednesday Addams, the darkly humorous and fiercely independent daughter of the Addams Family. Her performance became one of the defining elements of the series, combining deadpan comedy with the character’s interest in mysteries and the macabre.
Season three is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2027. However, Ortega’s remarks do not suggest that she is leaving the series before completing her current commitments.
There has also been no indication in the announcement that season three will be the show’s final instalment. Consequently, fans should not interpret her comments about taking a break as confirmation that the series is ending.
Instead, her stated intention concerns what comes after Wednesday. Whether she chooses to pursue film roles, explore other creative opportunities or simply take time away from professional acting remains to be seen.
Why Wednesday Has Become Such a Significant Role
Although Ortega had already built an extensive acting career, Wednesday introduced her to an even wider international audience.
The series combines supernatural storytelling, mystery and dark comedy, following Wednesday Addams as she navigates life at Nevermore Academy. Ortega’s interpretation helped give the familiar character a distinct identity, making her performance central to the show’s appeal.
The role also followed her appearances in major film productions, including Scream and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Together, these projects have strengthened her association with darker, genre-focused stories while demonstrating her ability to work across television and cinema.
Stepping away from television after such a prominent role could therefore give Ortega more flexibility when deciding which projects deserve her attention next.
Jenna Ortega Previously Considered Quitting Acting
This is not the first time Ortega has spoken openly about questioning her future in the entertainment industry.
In April 2026, she discussed a difficult period in her career during an appearance on the Big Bro With Kid Cudi podcast. The conversation focused on the uncertainty she experienced after Stuck in the Middle, the Disney Channel series that helped establish her as a young performer, concluded in 2018.
Ortega explained that she had reached a point where she was unsure what to do next.
“I didn’t know what else I was gonna do,” she recalled.
The transition was particularly challenging because she had spent much of her childhood moving between television productions. Once the Disney series ended, she faced the prospect of rebuilding her career and introducing herself to casting directors who might not have been familiar with her previous work.
She described the period as a potential turning point, when she and her team discussed whether continuing to act was the right decision.
Starting Over After a Childhood on Television
Ortega was still a teenager when Stuck in the Middle ended. At the same time, she was beginning high school and considering what her future might look like beyond a career that had started years earlier.
She explained that leaving acting was something she had seriously considered, partly because she wanted to understand what other experiences life could offer.
“I’ve never really considered anything else, more so recently, just out of the sake of curiosity and wanting another life experience,” she said.
Her reflections highlight a challenge faced by performers who enter the industry early. While a successful childhood career can open doors, moving into adulthood often brings questions about identity, independence and the direction a person wants to take.
Ortega ultimately continued acting, taking on roles that helped her transition from children’s television into more mature projects. Her later success demonstrates how that uncertain period became a stepping stone rather than the end of her career.
From Disney Channel Star to Hollywood Leading Actress
Ortega’s career has developed across several stages, beginning with television roles before expanding into film and major streaming productions.
Stuck in the Middle gave her a prominent early role, while appearances in horror films helped establish a different side of her screen persona. Her involvement in the Scream franchise and Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice further connected her with projects that blend suspense, dark humour and unconventional characters.
However, Wednesday has arguably become her most widely recognised role. The series placed her at the centre of a global entertainment phenomenon and brought renewed attention to her performance style.
That success also creates a different kind of career challenge. After leading a major streaming series, an actor can face pressure to commit quickly to another high-profile project. Ortega’s comments suggest she is not interested in rushing into the next opportunity simply to maintain momentum.
Instead, she appears willing to let future roles develop naturally, even if that means spending time away from television.
What Happens Next for Jenna Ortega?
For now, Ortega’s immediate future remains connected to Wednesday, with the third season expected in 2027. Beyond that, she has not outlined a specific timetable for her break or announced a permanent departure from acting.
Her comments point towards a period of exploration rather than a definitive career change. She may eventually return to television, focus more heavily on films or pursue opportunities that allow her to experience a different side of the entertainment industry.
Whatever direction she chooses, her reflections reveal a performer thinking carefully about the balance between professional success and personal growth.
After spending years working in front of cameras, Ortega appears ready to give herself permission to slow down and consider what comes next. For fans, the key takeaway is that Jenna Ortega is considering a break from acting after Wednesday, not announcing her retirement from Hollywood.
With season three on the horizon, audiences can still look forward to seeing her return as Wednesday Addams before she decides which chapter of her career to pursue next.
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