That popular Wednesday dance scene was almost very different.
Jenna Ortega recently went on Dax Shepard’s podcast Armchair Expert to talk about her time on season 1 of the hit Netflix drama-comedy. She said that the big dance number on Wednesday, which went viral and was even copied by Lady Gaga, was originally part of a bigger production number.
Ortega said, “At first, it was meant to be a flash mob.” “She was supposed to start dancing, and everyone else was supposed to follow her lead and join in. And I said no, because I didn’t understand why she would be okay with that. I said, “Either cut it or have Wednesday knock someone out, and it’s done.””
Ortega also turned down a choreographer and made the dance on her own (and in two weeks no less). But Ortega says that wasn’t the only big choice she made during the show.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had to put my foot down on a set the way I did on Wednesday,” Ortega said, even talking about her decision to sometimes change dialogue. “There was a line about a dress she has to wear to a school dance, and she says, “Oh my God, I love it! I can’t believe that’s what I said. I really dislike myself.’ And I had to say, “No, that’s not going to happen.”
“There were times on that set when I almost stopped being professional and started changing my lines,” she said. “The script supervisor thought I was going somewhere, so I’d have to sit down with the writers and explain what happened to the scene. And I’d have to go through and explain why I couldn’t do certain things.”
Ortega said that it was all because she was “very protective” of her character.
Wednesday is available to watch on Netflix right now, and the show has been picked up for a second season.
