The Addams Family Across Eras: Comparing Netflix's Leading Ladies And The 1960s OGs

Netflix has introduced a whole new generation of fans to the ladies of "The Addams Family" with its popular "Wednesday" series, a modern reimagining of the mysterious and spooky family that viewers have loved for decades. Originally created as cartoons by Charles Addams, the grim and ghoulish gals of the Addams family first came to life on screen during the '60s in a TV adaption of the comics. "The Addams Family" sitcom — known for its snappy theme song — starred Carolyn Jones and Lisa Loring as the main female members of the morbid family: Morticia and her daughter, Wednesday. It only ran for two seasons between 1964 and 1966, but it paved the way for several later iterations of the characters, like the iconic '90s films from director Barry Sonnenfeld. The 1991 movie and its 1993 sequel, "Addams Family Values," ushered in a new cast to portray a revamped version of the original characters, introducing Anjelica Huston's famous version of Morticia and a young Christina Ricci as Wednesday. 

By 2022, Netflix would introduce a whole new version of the same Addams family ladies that fans have long feared and loved. Starring Jenna Ortega in the titular role and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, "Wednesday" is a contemporary take on the "Addams Family" universe, dropping a teenaged Wednesday into high school at Nevermore Academy. The cast was revamped with popular, modern-day stars who bring a fresh energy to the characters while staying true to the creepy charm of the OG Addams women. Just like the side-by-side pics of the "Little House on the Prairie" casts, we're taking a look at the ladies of the Addams family across the eras, and comparing the Netflix cast with the 1960s original.

One of the primary differences between "Wednesday" and the original "Addams Family" series is Netflix's specific focus on Wednesday, who is aged quite a bit older than in the 1960s version. Jenna Ortega was 20 years old when she began playing the role of Wednesday, who marks her 16th birthday during the show's first season. Lisa Loring, however, was only 6 years old when she starred as Wednesday Addams in the original series, later becoming one of the many child stars who grew up to be gorgeous. Loring's version of Wednesday was depicted with a childlike and innocent gloominess, whereas Ortega's portrayal presents the character as a morbidly sarcastic and rebellious teenager.

Despite many of the creative liberties taken in the Netflix series, Ortega's Wednesday certainly stays true to the iconic styling originated by Loring's portrayal. 6-year-old Wednesday in the OG series famously had two long, dark braids and her hair parted down the middle, and the same look was recreated for Ortega's character (although teenage Wednesday also sports thick bangs across her forehead). Loring's Wednesday was also known for wearing a white collared shirt under a black buttoned jumper, paired with dark tights and leather booties. Ortega's costuming for "Wednesday" has many of the same features. Her character is almost always seen wearing a white collar under dark-hued sweaters, often paired with black tights and chunky platform shoes. The modern costuming does vary slightly from the original show, as Ortega's Wednesday is confined to the Nevermore Academy dress code, requiring her to wear a striped blazer in most scenes. Still, Loring and Ortega's versions are both instantly recognizable as Wednesday Addams, which is among the Halloween costumes that are perfect for brunettes.

The most glamorous member of the Addams family is undoubtedly Morticia Addams, and both Catherine Zeta-Jones and Carolyn Jones perfectly embodied her timeless gothic elegance. In the original series, Jones brought a certain sultriness to the character, flaunting her figure in Morticia's signature form-fitting gown. Jones brought Morticia to life by dazzling viewers with her doe-eyed features, defined eyebrows, and shadowy eye makeup that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin. Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones' portrayal of the character is equally as mesmerizing, thanks to her dark hair and facial features that thrive alongside Morticia's gothic styling. With a signature plum lipstick and smoky eyeshadow, Zeta-Jones' glamour and sophistication shines through even the most macabre of Morticia's one-liners.

Both Jones and Zeta-Jones have spoken out about sharing similar personality traits with Morticia, albeit in strikingly different ways. For Jones, she called Morticia the "perfect" role for her to play, considering she already had a knack for dark humor. Decades after the show was cancelled, Jones revealed in a 1982 interview, "I was sorry to see it go. Morticia was the perfect role for me because my sense of humor is just slightly off-center." As for Zeta-Jones, she mostly relates to Morticia in terms of her parenting philosophy. Like Morticia, Zeta-Jones is a mother of two, and even though she may not have sword fights with her children or bake cookies crawling with black widow spiders, she does understand Morticia's tendency to allow her children to be independent. "There are many times I've been thinking I'm putting an old head on young shoulders when my daughter or my son has done something," she told Today of her commonalities with Morticia. "Sometimes you have to step back and let them just do that in parenting."