Jenna Ortega has raised eyebrows after she appeared to look ‘fed up’ and ‘disappointed’ during a recent Wednesday press event.
The 23-year-old actress was joined by the show’s cast and creators – including her on-screen parents Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán – at a FYC Event at Netflix Tudum in LA on November 9.
For a moment on the night, Ortega seemed deflated as writer, executive producer, and creator Alfred Gough heaped praise on her performance in the second series.
During his speech, Gough referenced an episode in which Ortega and Emma Myers swapped bodies.
In a clip, which was recorded by popular film blog Rama’s Screen, that has gained attention online, he said: ‘She and Emma really took care of each other on that body swap episode… and they took care of each other on set while doing it. It’s an extraordinary episode.
‘But Jenna is extraordinary through the entire season and so I will give her the props that she won’t give herself.’
As Gough shared his remark, which was met with applause from the audience, Ortega positioned herself away from his gaze.
Instead, she faced in a different direction while resting her chin on her fist.
Jenna Ortega’s recent appearance at a Wednesday press event has caused suspicion
The actress appeared ‘fed up’ as the show’s creator Alfred Gough (pictured) applauded her
After he finished his compliment, Ortega shifted the conversation and instead paid tribute to the Wednesday crew.
‘Actually, I’m very proud of the Irish crew stepping in,’ she said.
‘I’m not the one lugging around the equipment and loading trucks every day, showing up and making something that Tim [Burton] said he wanted two minutes ago, it’s not easy.’
After a clip of the moment circulated online, social media users speculated on a supposed rift between the actress and Gough.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one user said: ‘Jenna is someone who truly loves her work and gives it everything she has.
‘It honestly makes me so sad to see her like this she’s clearly fed up and disappointed by the attitude and actions of those arrogant people, and honestly, I don’t blame her.’
Offering a similar stance, another wrote: ‘The subtle head shake when he talked about her and Emma, not looking at him the entire time and the instant praise towards the crew to give them love without acknowledging what he said.
‘I know she still has a bit of respect for them but the reaction still says a lot.’
Ortega and Gough were joined by the rest of the cast and crew at a Wednesday FYC event at Netflix Tudum Theater on November 09
Ortega applauded the Irish filming crew after the show’s second season largely filmed at Ashford Studios in Ireland’s Wicklow County
In a separate post, they continued: ‘And I don’t think she’s even doing it with the intention to let everyone know what she feels. It’s probably something she just can’t help but doing because of how fed up she is.’
Another observed: ‘Body turning away, not giving attention, not clapping. The whole body language literally says she doesn’t like him.’
A fourth noted: ‘He’s giving her all (and Emma) the praise and she does not acknowledge him at all. All she does is stare at the ground, not thanking him/clapping for him when he’s done talking but giving her praise to the Irish crew instead. Yeah, she’s done.’
‘What’s sad about this is that Jenna is always incredibly grateful and supportive. How bad does it have to be for her not to clap at what you’re saying?’ asked a fifth.
‘I like her but she’s giving disrespectful brat here like miss you’re at work,’ another claimed.
Daily Mail has contacted Ortega’s reps for comment.
Ortega has previously spoken out on grueling on-set conditions.
Ortega pictured as Wednesday in season two of the Netflix show
The series initially premiered on the streamer on November 16, 2022
Speaking at a Netflix-hosted Q&A panel in Hollywood in 2022 about her time on the first season, she said: ‘I did not get any sleep. I pulled my hair out.
‘There’s so many FaceTime calls that my dad answered of me hysterically crying.’
She also told Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast in 2023 that she had to ‘put my foot down’ when it came to the season one script.
‘Everything that she does, everything that I had to play, did not make sense for her character at all,’ Ortega said.
‘Her being in a love triangle made no sense. There was a line about this dress that she has to wear for a school dance, and she says, “Oh, my god, I love it! I can’t believe I said that. I literally hate myself.”
‘And I had to go, “No, there’s no way.”‘
Wednesday premiered on Netflix on November 16, 2022.
The show’s second series premiered in August 2025 and it has already been confirmed for a third chapter.
Gough previously revealed his plan for the upcoming new season.
‘Our goal for Season 3 is the same as it is for every season: to make it the best season of Wednesday we possibly can,’ he told Netflix’s Tudum.
