Have We Already Met Wednesday's Estranged Aunt Ophelia? 'There's A Lot To Explore There,' EPs Tease
A number of exciting women are visiting Nevermore Academy when Wednesday Season 2 returns to Netflix for Part 2 on Sept. 3, from the return of Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie) as Wednesday's new spirit guide to the arrival of Lady Gaga in a not-yet-officially disclosed role.
But those aren't the women we want to talk about right now. No, we're more concerned with a particular Frump family member — a character referenced multiple times per episode, yet someone to whom we haven't been properly introduced. That's right, we're talking about Morticia's estranged sister Ophelia, frequently mentioned as a cautionary tale for the dangers of becoming consumed by one's powers.
During Wednesday's visit to Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital in the midseason finale, she and Uncle Fester stumbled upon an entire wing of patients who had reportedly died, including one woman (played by Mr Selfridge's Frances O'Connor) we can't help but assume is none other than the elusive Ophelia. "Are you here to kill me?" the woman asked when Wednesday and Fester approached her cell. When they said no, she replied, "Then leave me alone."
Unfortunately, our assumption will have to remain a theory until Wednesday returns, because the co-showrunners' lips are sealed. "We can't, you have to keep watching," Alfred Gough told TVLine when asked if he could confirm that O'Connor is playing Ophelia. Echoed Miles Millar, "We need a reason for you to keep watching Part 2."
It's worth noting that an official still from Episode 4 identifies O'Connor as "Francoise," but that's very possibly a misdirect meant to throw us off Ophelia's trail.
Hypothetically, if Ophelia were to officially enter the picture in Part 2, Millar acknowledged that "there's a lot to explore there [about] a missing member of the family." He invites viewers to "imagine the four of them together," referring to Wednesday, Morticia, Ophelia and Grandmama (Joanna Lumley). "That would be really interesting. That's something that we tease and the audience can look forward to."
Do you think O'Connor is playing Ophelia? And what's your take on Part 2 in general? Weigh in via our poll below, then drop a comment with more of your thoughts.