Jia Lissa
The global cultural phenomenon that is Netflix’s Wednesday has returned for its highly anticipated second season, bringing with it a seismic shift in both narrative stakes and visual identity. While the inaugural season found its footing among the sprawling castles of Romania, Season 2 has officially migrated to the misty, rain-soaked landscapes of Ireland. This transition is not merely a change in scenery; it represents a strategic and creative evolution that has transformed the series into what many critics are calling the most visually stunning gothic television production of the decade.
As Jenna Ortega reprises her role as the titular Wednesday Addams, the show has leveraged Ireland’s ancient architecture and haunting natural beauty to deepen the lore of Nevermore Academy. From the haunted corridors of Charleville Castle to the thundering cascades of the Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland has become more than just a filming location—it has become a central character in Tim Burton’s macabre universe.
Main Facts: A Strategic Migration for Nevermore Academy
The decision to move production from Romania to Ireland was a multifaceted choice driven by creative ambition, logistical requirements, and the desire for a "timeless" aesthetic. While Season 1 utilized the Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni to great effect, the production team sought a more expansive and varied landscape to accommodate the escalating scale of Season 2.
Ireland’s "Screen Ireland" agency and the country’s robust tax incentives for film production played a significant role, but the primary driver was the unique atmospheric quality of the Irish countryside. The move has already yielded significant dividends; the show’s premiere in early 2025 has seen record-breaking viewership numbers, with much of the online discourse centered on the "set-jetting" trend—a phenomenon where viewers travel to locations featured in their favorite shows.
Key facts regarding the new season include:
- Primary Production Hub: Ashford Studios in County Wicklow served as the base of operations, housing over 30,000 square feet of intricate interior sets.
- The New Nevermore: Charleville Castle in County Offaly replaced Romanian locations as the primary face of Nevermore Academy.
- Director’s Vision: Tim Burton remained at the helm for key episodes, ensuring his signature "German Expressionism meets Victorian Gothic" style was seamlessly integrated into the Irish terrain.
- Economic Impact: The production is estimated to have injected millions of Euros into the Irish economy, employing hundreds of local crew members and extras.
Chronology: The Journey from Bucharest to Dublin
The transition of Wednesday from the Balkans to Western Europe followed a specific timeline that reflects the growing scale of the franchise.
2022–2023: The Romanian Foundation and the Pivot
Following the massive success of Season 1 in late 2022, showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar began scouting for a location that could offer more architectural variety. While Romania provided the perfect "Dracula-esque" vibe, the production faced logistical challenges regarding studio space and the need for more diverse outdoor environments. By mid-2023, rumors began to circulate that Netflix was eyeing Ireland, a country with a long history of hosting gothic and fantasy productions like Penny Dreadful and Game of Thrones.
Late 2023: Pre-Production and Scouting
Official confirmation of the move came in late 2023. Production designer Mark Scruton and his team spent months traversing the Irish provinces, looking for sites that matched the Addams Family’s "kooky and spooky" DNA. They eventually settled on a combination of historic estates in County Wicklow, Dublin, and County Offaly.
2024: Principal Photography
Filming for Season 2 commenced in early 2024. The production took advantage of Ireland’s notoriously unpredictable weather, using the natural mist and "soft" grey light to enhance the show’s somber palette. Unlike many modern productions that rely heavily on green screens, the crew prioritized "in-camera" effects and real-world locations to maintain a sense of grounded realism.
2025: Global Release and the "Wednesday Effect"
Upon the season’s release, the visual shift was immediately apparent. The lush greens of the Irish countryside provided a striking contrast to Wednesday’s monochrome wardrobe, creating a more vibrant yet still eerie atmosphere. This led to an immediate spike in tourism interest, dubbed the "Wednesday Effect" by Irish travel authorities.
Supporting Data: The Anatomy of the Gothic Locations
The success of Season 2’s visual storytelling relies on four primary locations that provided the architectural and natural backbone for the new mysteries.
Charleville Castle, County Offaly
The crown jewel of the new season is Charleville Castle. Built in the late 18th century for the 1st Earl of Charleville, this Gothic Revival masterpiece is widely considered one of the finest of its kind in Ireland.
- Architectural Significance: Designed by Francis Johnston, the castle features dramatic towers, battlements, and massive Gothic windows.
- The Supernatural Connection: Local legends claim the castle is haunted by the ghost of Harriet, a young girl who died on the main staircase in the 1860s. This real-world haunted history was reportedly a major selling point for the production team.
Powerscourt Estate & Waterfall, County Wicklow
The outdoor sequences of Season 2 benefit from the grandeur of the Powerscourt Estate.
- The Waterfall: At 121 meters, it is the second-highest waterfall in Ireland. Its jagged rocks and surrounding ancient woodland provided the perfect backdrop for the show’s more action-oriented and supernatural sequences.
- The Gardens: The manicured Italianate gardens offered a contrast to the wilder woods, representing the "ordered" world of the town of Jericho versus the "chaos" of the outcasts.
Deansgrange Cemetery, Dublin
For the show’s more somber and investigative moments, the production utilized Deansgrange Cemetery.
- Atmospheric Realism: One of the largest cemeteries in Ireland, it contains the remains of historical figures like Nobel laureate Ernest Walton and legendary singer Sinéad O’Connor. Its rows of Celtic crosses and weathered headstones provided an authenticity that no studio set could replicate.
Ashford Studios, County Wicklow
While the exteriors are breathtaking, the "soul" of the show was built at Ashford Studios. The production constructed massive, detailed sets of Nevermore’s dormitories, the Nightshades’ library, and new secret chambers. The studio’s proximity to the Wicklow Mountains allowed the crew to move between indoor sets and outdoor locations with unprecedented efficiency.
Official Responses: Cast and Crew Insights
The move to Ireland was met with universal acclaim from the cast and creative leads. Their responses highlight a production environment that was as much about the "vibe" as it was about the work.
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (Co-Showrunners):
"Ireland is truly magical. It adds a sense of timeless beauty, wonder, and epic spectacle to the world of Wednesday. Everything here fits the show’s style—from the moss-covered woods to the grey, brooding skies. It allowed us to expand the world in a way we couldn’t have imagined in Season 1."
Jenna Ortega (Wednesday Addams):
Ortega, who also serves as a producer this season, noted the impact of the local culture on the filming process. "My favorite thing was just how kind the people are. The Irish crew felt like family almost immediately. But beyond that, the countryside is just… it’s really nice. It’s moody and beautiful, which is exactly where Wednesday feels at home."
Luis Guzmán (Gomez Addams):
Guzmán was particularly struck by the emotional resonance of the landscape. "It’s sensational, so beautiful, so nostalgic. There’s a weight to the history in Ireland that you can feel when you’re standing in these old castles. It makes the performance feel more real."
Mark Scruton (Production Designer):
"We don’t rely on blue screens—it’s all in-camera. Being in Ireland meant we had access to real stone, real rain, and real history. That authenticity is what makes the gothic elements of the show pop."
Implications: The Rise of "Set-Jetting" and Ireland’s Screen Future
The implications of Wednesday’s move to Ireland extend far beyond the television screen. The production has signaled a shift in how major streaming platforms view international locations.
The Economic Boom of "Set-Jetting"
Data suggests that "set-jetting" is now a primary driver for millennial and Gen Z travel. According to industry reports, approximately 24% of travelers choose their destinations based on locations seen in TV shows and movies. Tourism Ireland has been quick to capitalize on this, launching social media campaigns and behind-the-scenes content to draw fans to County Offaly and County Wicklow.
Airbnb and the Themed Travel Market
In response to the show’s popularity, short-term rental platforms like Airbnb have seen a surge in bookings for "gothic-style" stays. Period manors and stone cottages in the Irish Midlands have become high-demand properties, as fans seek to recreate the Nevermore aesthetic for their own social media feeds.
Ireland as a "Gothic Hub"
The success of Wednesday reinforces Ireland’s position as a premier global destination for high-end genre production. The combination of world-class studio facilities (Ashford and Troy Studios) and incomparable natural landscapes makes the country a formidable competitor to traditional hubs like London or Atlanta.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Shadows and Stone
Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2 has successfully navigated the difficult "sophomore slump" by leaning into a bold new visual direction. By trading the castles of Romania for the haunted halls and misty valleys of Ireland, the series has grounded its supernatural elements in a tangible, historical reality.
The marriage of Tim Burton’s dark vision with Ireland’s ancient landscapes has created a unique brand of TV magic. As fans continue to binge the latest episodes and plan their "gothic getaways" to Charleville Castle and the Wicklow Mountains, it is clear that Ireland’s gothic legacy has found a new, darkly delightful chapter. Whether through the lens of a camera or the eyes of a tourist, the Emerald Isle has proven to be the perfect home for the Addams family’s most famous daughter.
Ammar Sabilarrohman
Raul Delapena Setiawan
