12
12
What will be Jenna Ortega’s next ambitious roles after Wednesday?
The 23-year-old American actress is multiplying appearances on the big screen. Jenna Ortega, star of the series Wednesday and of the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, will soon be sharing the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the industry. Among them are Robert De Niro, Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson. As the first images of the film The Gallerist have just been unveiled, here’s an overview of the ambitious projects awaiting one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses.
and Ambra Flora.
Published on 2 September 2025. Updated on 12 December 2025.
You, Wednesday… Netflix propelled Jenna Ortega
Like Selena Gomez or Ryan Gosling, it was on Disney Channel that audiences first discovered American actress Jenna Ortega. One of her earliest projects dates back to 2016, when she appeared in the series Stuck in the Middle.
But it wasn’t until 2019 that she landed a major role in season 2 of the hit Netflix series You. Jenna Ortega played the nosey neighbour of the psychopath Joe Goldberg, portrayed by the charismatic Penn Badgley.
Following the enthusiastic response to her performance, she embarked on a string of collaborations with the streaming platform. She landed roles alongside Samara Weaving in The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020) and Jennifer Garner in the feel-good comedy Yes Day (2021).
A scream queen embraced by Gen Z and Tim Burton
Jenna Ortega quickly established herself as the new scream queen adored by Gen Z. She landed leading roles in several horror films, including X (2022) by Ti West, starring Mia Goth. That same year, she became one of the protagonists of the new Scream. A role hailed by critics as one of the film’s standout performances, alongside breakout stars Melissa Barrera and Mikey Madison.
However, the actress truly won over the general public by the end of 2022. Jenna Ortega landed the lead role in Netflix’s series Wednesday, directed by Tim Burton, and rose to international stardom. The Netflix series, inspired by The Addams Family universe, quickly became a global phenomenon. The collaboration with the director of Corpse Bride (2005) continued with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), starring Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Winona Ryder.
2025, a landmark year for the actress
Jenna Ortega’s name now ranks among Hollywood’s most sought-after young talents, alongside Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy and Jacob Elordi. The actress starred in several feature films in 2025.
One of her most intriguing projects is undoubtedly Hurry Up Tomorrow, directed by Trey Edward Shults (It Comes At Night). Released on May 16th, the film was conceived as an extension of The Weeknd’s album of the same name, released earlier this year. It stars the artist, alongside Barry Keoghan and Jenna Ortega, who takes on one of the lead roles in this psychological thriller. She plays the role a fan of The Weeknd caught up in a tumultuous relationship with him…
Other projects in 2025? The actress co-starred in Death of a Unicorn by Alex Scharfman, alongside Paul Rudd and Will Poulter, available in VOD since August 16th, 2025. The pitch for this wild film? “Riley and Elliot, a father-daughter duo, hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the remote retreat of a wealthy pharmaceutical CEO.”
Jenna Ortega isn’t stopping there, as Netflix has confirmed a third season of Wednesday. The actress could also appear in 2026 in a spin-off centered on Uncle Fester, currently in development, starring actor Fred Armisen. While waiting for her return to Nevermore Academy, fans will be able to catch the actress in several upcoming film projects.
Robert De Niro and Natalie Portman are Jenna Ortega’s future co-stars
Moreover, Jenna Ortega is set to play a role in the reboot of a cult 1990s thriller. She will be in the remake of Single White Female (1992), alongside Taylor Russell (Bones And All). The pair follow in the footsteps of Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, who originally portrayed two roommates whose friendship spirals into obsession.
According to the media Deadline, the actress will soon star opposite Robert De Niro (Taxi Driver), who recently received the a Honorary Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The two will headline a new project directed by David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), playing a pair of pool hustlers. Robert De Niro embodies a kind of mentor figure who fuels Jenna Ortega’s character’s boundless ambition. Yet, the student may well surpass her master…
The Gallerist, Klara and the Sun… The actress’ upcoming projects for 2026
Also in 2026, Jenna Ortega will star in The Gallerist, for which a first image has just been released, alongside Natalie Portman. This dark comedy directed by Cathy Yan (Birds of Prey and Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey) satirizes the world of contemporary art through a wild story about a gallerist willing to do anything to make a splash at Art Basel in Miami… Even going so far as to pass off a corpse as a work of art.
Finally, under the direction of Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit), Jenna Ortega will also star alongside Amy Adams in Klara and the Sun. A film adaptation of the novel of the same name, which tells the story of an artificial being created to help a grieving family. She is also part of the cast of J.J. Abrams’s upcoming mysterious film Ghost Writer, which boasts a prestigious cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Emma Mackey, and Glen Powell.
Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) by Trey Edward Shults is available on Canal VOD and Amazon Prime Video. The Gallerist (2026) by Cathy Yan does not have a release date yet.
