By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The creepy neighbors making up the Addams Family are heading back to the small screen in the new MGM series Wednesday.
And already, MGM is pulling out all the stops, launching a broad licensing program for the highly anticipated new comedy. The studio says the new program will span all licensing categories, with a robust line of products and partners covering apparel, collectibles, gaming, and … well, everything else!
“The Addams Family has been a fan favorite for viewers across generations and with this new Wednesday series, we are looking forward to bringing their creepy and strange antics to a brand-new audience,” said Robert Marick, Executive Vice President of Global Consumer Products and Experiences at MGM. “We are building out a broad licensing program that truly captures the core themes and feel of Wednesday through exciting new products for everyone to enjoy all year long.”
While the show features the always popular Addams Family, Wednesday is definitely a show with a difference. MGM describes the comedy as a “sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery” that charts Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy.
The series will see Wednesday trying to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the murder mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.
From the mind of Tim Burton, known for iconic comedy-horror films like Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, this brand-new chapter of the beloved Addams Family franchise will debut on Netflix worldwide Nov. 23.
MGM has already signed a number of deals with what it describes as “best-in-class partners,” including Hot Topic with a full collection of t-shirts and dresses, Wednesday-inspired costumes from Rubies, and Funko collectible figures.
MGM is also looking to expand everyone’s favorite Halloween family into a year-round program with merchandise from numerous licensees to be announced over the coming months.