Jenna Ortega’s Next Chapter: Why Hollywood Is Watching Her Closely

Jenna Ortega has become one of the most recognizable young actresses in Hollywood, and 2026 is shaping up to be another important year in her career.

At just 23, Ortega has already built a résumé that includes television, horror, comedy, major studio films and one of Netflix’s biggest recent hits. But what makes her current career particularly interesting is not simply her popularity. She appears to be moving toward more ambitious and challenging roles.

From Wednesday to major upcoming movies, Jenna Ortega is entering a new chapter — and there is plenty for audiences to look forward to.

From Young Actress to Global Star

Ortega started acting professionally as a child and gradually built experience through television and film.

She appeared in projects including Jane the Virgin, Stuck in the Middle, You and Scream. These roles helped establish her as a versatile young performer before her career reached a completely different level.

That turning point came with Wednesday.

Her portrayal of Wednesday Addams transformed Ortega into an international star. The series became a major streaming success, while Ortega’s performance, distinctive style and interpretation of the iconic character attracted a huge global audience.

However, her career has not been limited to one character.

She subsequently appeared in projects including Scream, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Hurry Up Tomorrow, continuing to explore different genres and styles. Her willingness to take on very different roles has become one of the most interesting aspects of her career.

Jenna Ortega attends the premiere of "The Gallerist" at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival

A Very Busy 2026

One of the reasons Ortega is back in the spotlight is the number of significant projects surrounding her.

One of the most anticipated is Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi and featuring Ortega alongside Amy Adams. The film is based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel and follows an artificial companion who becomes connected to a family going through a difficult period.

The project gives Ortega an opportunity to move into science fiction and dramatic storytelling, a noticeable change from the horror and dark-comedy projects that have helped define much of her recent career.

Another major project is The Gallerist, a dark comedy directed by Cathy Yan. Ortega stars alongside Natalie Portman in a story connected to the contemporary art world.

The film attracted attention even before its release because of its unusual premise and impressive cast. Ortega's involvement is another sign that she is increasingly choosing projects with established filmmakers and major actors.

What Makes Jenna Ortega Different?

There are many young actors in Hollywood, but Ortega has developed a particularly recognizable screen presence.

Part of her appeal comes from her ability to play characters who are unusual, mysterious or emotionally complicated. Her performance as Wednesday is the clearest example, but her roles in horror films have also helped establish that identity.

At the same time, she has shown that she does not want to remain in a single category.

Moving between horror, comedy, drama and science fiction gives her career considerably more variety. Her upcoming projects suggest that this experimentation is likely to continue.

In a recent interview discussed by People, Ortega reflected on her career and said that both successful and less successful experiences have contributed to her growth. She described her professional journey as a process of learning through experience rather than something she regrets.

That perspective may be particularly important as she moves into increasingly ambitious roles.

The Return of Wednesday

Of course, fans have not forgotten the character that made Ortega a household name.

Wednesday remains one of the most important projects of her career, and a third season is part of the actress's future schedule.

The popularity of the series means that virtually every new project involving Ortega receives significant attention from fans online.

That gives her an unusual position for a young actress: she can use the popularity of an established franchise while simultaneously building a career outside it.

A New Phase for Jenna Ortega

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Jenna Ortega right now is that her story is still being written.

She has already achieved something many actors spend decades trying to accomplish: global recognition at a very young age.

But rather than simply repeating the formula that made her famous, Ortega is taking on different characters, genres and filmmakers.

Her upcoming work with directors such as Taika Waititi and Cathy Yan shows the range of opportunities now available to her. Klara and the Sun and The Gallerist could introduce her to audiences who know her primarily as Wednesday Addams.

And that may ultimately be the most important part of her current career.

Jenna Ortega is no longer simply the actress who plays Wednesday.

She is becoming an established young Hollywood performer with the opportunity to define what comes next.

What Do You Think?

Jenna Ortega has already played some memorable characters, but her most interesting roles may still be ahead of her.

Would you rather see her continue making dark and mysterious projects, or would you like to see her explore completely different genres?

Which Jenna Ortega performance is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.