The second season of “Wednesday,” created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, noticeably features the absence of brooding artist Xavier Thorpe, portrayed by Percy Hynes White, who was a prominent love interest for Wednesday, played by Jenna Ortega, in the first season. It was confirmed prior to the season’s launch that White, along with Jamie McShane and Naomi J. Ogawa, would not return as series regulars.
In the premiere episode, Principal Barry Dort, played by Steve Buscemi, informs Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) that Xavier’s father, Vincent Thorpe, has withdrawn his endowment and sent his son away from Nevermore Academy following last season’s events, where Xavier was wrongfully implicated in a murder case related to Wednesday’s investigations involving Tyler (Hunter Doohan) as Hyde. Wednesday learns that Xavier is now attending Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland, a school her father Gomez (Luis Guzmán) humorously mentioned he briefly attended as an exchange student.
Later, Enid delivers a letter from Xavier to Wednesday, containing a foreboding warning about a vision he had involving a creepy crow. Along with the letter, he sends a painting of the crow on a gravestone, which becomes a significant omen in Wednesday’s own vision predicting Enid’s possible demise.
Notably, showrunner Gough confirmed that this marks the end of Xavier’s arc in the series, which adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative. In Episode 2, Sheriff Donovan Galpin, portrayed by McShane, meets a grim fate, concluding his storyline in a shocking manner.
Earlier controversies surrounding Percy Hynes White, including allegations he has denied, were part of the discussion around his exit from the series. His latest projects include films alongside other notable actors that continue to showcase his talent.
As “Wednesday” progresses, viewers can anticipate the evolution of character dynamics and further chilling mysteries, even in the absence of certain beloved characters. The creative team’s commitment to maintaining a captivating narrative, with the tension of impending doom hinted through visions and omens, promises a thrilling season ahead.