Lady Gaga’s Memorable Appearance at Tudum Event
Netflix’s Tudum 2025 event concluded dramatically as Lady Gaga confirmed her guest role in the highly anticipated second season of the hit series ‘Wednesday’ and delivered a riveting musical performance. Held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on May 31, the event featured Gaga performing an electrifying medley of her songs, including “Abracadabra,” “Zombieboy,” and her viral hit “Bloody Mary,” while fully embracing the enigmatic and spooky aesthetic associated with the show. Embracing the viral ‘Wednesday dance’ phenomenon, Gaga performed alongside Jenna Ortega—the series lead—and dancers costumed as beloved Addams Family characters.
Gaga’s performance was well-timed, aligning with her officially being announced to play Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary teacher at Nevermore Academy, the fictional school central to ‘Wednesday’s’ narrative. Audience anticipation built steadily throughout the evening, culminating in Gaga rising dramatically from a coffin, staying true to the whimsical and slightly unsettling theme of the event.
“We wanted a guest star whose presence would significantly impact the storytelling,” remarked series co-creator Alfred Gough. “Lady Gaga brings exactly the kind of intrigue and entertainment we imagined for Rosaline Rotwood.”
This confirmation comes after months of speculation and enthusiasm among fans, who initially connected Gaga’s music to the show through a social media trend that paired her song “Bloody Mary” with the viral dance originally performed by Jenna Ortega in Season 1.
A Dramatic Preview and Expanded Cast Revealed
During Tudum, Netflix previewed a suspenseful first glimpse at ‘Wednesday’ Season 2, immediately capturing the show’s darkly comedic and thrilling essence. The clip, featuring Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Ortega, tied up in a serial killer’s ominous basement, set a foreboding yet satirical tone. This preview introduced Haley Joel Osment as the Kansas City Scalper, intensifying the season’s horror elements and promising intriguing developments in the narrative.
The new season significantly expands its impressive ensemble, bringing together acclaimed performers such as Steve Buscemi as Principal Dort, Joanna Lumley portraying Grandmama Hester Frump, Thandiwe Newton as psychiatrist Dr. Rachael Fairburn, Christopher Lloyd returning to his beloved quirky roles as Professor Orloff, and Heather Matarazzo as Judi. Joonas Suotamo will join in the role of Lurch, adding another familiar face to audiences familiar with the Addams Family lineage.
Since the debut of its first season, ‘Wednesday’ has become a major hit for Netflix, reportedly becoming the most-viewed English language series in the streaming giant’s history with over 252 million views. The show’s popularity propelled its young star Jenna Ortega to global stardom, praised for her deadpan comedic timing and charismatic portrayal of Wednesday Addams.
“Season 2 will maintain the balance of humor, mystery, and gothic charm, but we have significantly upped the ante,” said Tim Burton, who continues his involvement as executive producer and director of the first four episodes.
Exploring Family Dynamics and Broader Implications
A focal point for Season 2 will be exploring deeper into Addams family dynamics, particularly the relationship between Wednesday and her mother Morticia, played famously by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Alfred Gough highlighted that audiences will see more complexity in these relationships, indicating plans to delve further into the characters’ shared history and psychological depth. Additionally, Luis Guzmán returns as Gomez Addams, adding layers to the family storyline.
‘Wednesday’ not only brings forward rich character interactions and dark humor but also continues to captivate through its thrilling narrative arcs. Haley Joel Osment’s involvement as a villain in Season 2 sets the stage for compelling antagonistic forces that Wednesday must navigate using her psychic abilities.
Historically, the characters of the iconic Addams Family have been beloved since their creation by cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938, interpreted in various mediums from television series to motion pictures and now streaming format. Netflix’s adaptation has not only revitalized interest among longtime fans but also introduced the quirky and macabre family to new audiences worldwide.
The decision to release Season 2 in two parts, with Part 1 premiering on August 6 and Part 2 on September 3, 2025, follows the streaming network’s recent strategy of split releases aimed at maintaining audience engagement and excitement over extended periods—seen previously with hits like ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Squid Game’. These announcements and strategic decisions made at Tudum underscore Netflix’s continued emphasis on producing high-profile original content to captivate subscribers.
“The two-part release format allows us to craft compelling narratives that keep viewers eager and give each story arc time to resonate,” Netflix executive Karen Bowen mentioned during the Tudum event.
Lady Gaga’s guest appearance, alongside a significantly expanded and diverse cast, positions the upcoming season of ‘Wednesday’ to be one of Netflix’s prominent releases of 2025, maintaining the show’s momentum among its dedicated fan base.