An Episode of Wednesday Season 2 shows us that Jenna Ortega should play Harley Quinn
By Jay Burdett
September 14th, 2025
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Wednesday Season 2 part 2!
With a new DC Universe kicking the door down this year thanks to Creature Commandos, Peacemaker, and a successful box office Superman film (sorry Synder boys), a lot of talk has been towards what is happening with the Batman side of the universe.
Will James Gunn make Matt Reeve’s version of Batman the new DCU Batman, as he has been quite happy to retcon Peacemaker to fit this universe? Or will he start over with a completely fresh new take on the classic caped crusader? Whilst many think the latter, one thing that has played on my mind has been on who will play the various other iconic members of Batman’s legion of villains.
Will James Gunn make Matt Reeve’s version of Batman the new DCU Batman, as he has been quite happy to retcon Peacemaker to fit this universe? Or will he start over with a completely fresh new take on the classic caped crusader? Whilst many think the latter, one thing that has played on my mind has been on who will play the various other iconic members of Batman’s legion of villains.
If there is one thing Marvel infamously fall on, it's their portrayal of villains in films.
When they have gotten this correct (Loki, Thanos, Killmonger, Vulture) it has elevated the film to a much higher status of praise. Sadly though, this is not a constant with Marvel, and DC could really play on this weakness to give Marvel some serious competition at the box office. Batman’s villains are pop culture legends, already coming into the film with some excited expectation from the viewer. This is both a blessing and a curse because if James Gunn gets the casting wrong, both the character and him will be damned for it.
So, as I watched the second half of the second season of WEDNESDAY, after it was released on NETFLIX on September 3rd, I was shocked to find one episode in particular highlighted how well Jenna Ortega would be at playing Harley Quinn.
So, as I watched the second half of the second season of WEDNESDAY, after it was released on NETFLIX on September 3rd, I was shocked to find one episode in particular highlighted how well Jenna Ortega would be at playing Harley Quinn.
Episode 6 - Woe Thyself
Episode 6, Woe Thyself, sees the stoic and sarcastic Wednesday have a Freaky Friday experience, swapping bodies with her saccharine roommate, Enid. During this episode both actors must perform the task of pretending to be a character who is pretending to be another character, and whilst both do an insanely good job, it is Jenna Ortega who stole the show for me out of the two of them, especially showing characteristics that can be seen in Batman’s crazy Quinzel.
At first, Enid (in Wednesday’s body) must play it cool like Wednesday would do. However, she instantly struggles to hold in her innate urges to wave, gush and chat with people all around her. This reminded me of how socially awkward Harley is in situations that normally are cause for calm and diplomacy by those around her
At first, Enid (in Wednesday’s body) must play it cool like Wednesday would do. However, she instantly struggles to hold in her innate urges to wave, gush and chat with people all around her. This reminded me of how socially awkward Harley is in situations that normally are cause for calm and diplomacy by those around her
Jenna Ortega does more than just pout
At many times during this swap, Enid (in Wednesday’s body) panics and bumbles through conversations with The Addam’s family members who think they’re talking to Wednesday. She also has a break down when she realises that Wednesday is literally allergic to colour and comes out in hives. Harley’s relationship with the Joker is quite…tumultuous to say the least. And whilst we can think of many scenes where they bounce off one another, there are many times where Harley is walking on eggshells around Mr J, only wanting to keep him happy or in absolute despair over failing him/splitting up from him. Jenna’s portrayal of both an anxious Enid and a disconsolate damsel prompted me to think how well she could play that part of the role of Harley.
Also, if we look at the last season's performance, Jenna plays a girl who is in love with a partner who is toxic and abusive. She already knows how to play Harley's part in this complex relationship!
Also, if we look at the last season's performance, Jenna plays a girl who is in love with a partner who is toxic and abusive. She already knows how to play Harley's part in this complex relationship!
This iconic moment from the season cements it.
The icing on the cake for me though was when Enid (in Wednesday’s body) decides she wants to make a fool of Wednesday after reading her book detailing what she actually thinks of Enid. She decides to don all her normal clothes and have a Brat Girl Summer for 5 minutes in the middle of the school yard for all the students to see. It’s actually the second best dance scene in the whole season:
Just imagine her slitting throats, chucking grenades and throwing knives whilst doing that. Does that not scream Harley to you? Have you seen how she wields weapons in both seasons? Jenna is a convincing force to be reckoned with in any confrontation.
Now throw on top of those performance points what we already know that Jenna Ortega can do from her time as Wednesday on the show. If she blended her darker performances with the more energetic unhinged performances seen in this episode, you have one Harleen Quinzel.
Now haters are going to immediately point out that Jenny does not appear to have the look nor the voice for Harley but let’s think about this. James Gunn would SURELY go for the classic Harley look. He brought back Clark’s thunderpants, Harley is definitely getting that jester outfit with the pale clowns face. And think how many cosplayers look NOTHING like Harley but have done a successful job of getting the look right. This is something that would not be hard to overcome.
And as for the voice, well Harley sort of has a Brooklyn accent and do you know who Jenna Ortega has played the voice of in Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous? Brooklynn. Okay, I know that she doesn’t have a Brooklyn accent but she does have a strong American accent in that show, and I would argue that it wouldn’t be hard to train Jenna to get her accent sounding like its coming from one of the 5 boroughs already after listening to some of her work on this show.
Now throw on top of those performance points what we already know that Jenna Ortega can do from her time as Wednesday on the show. If she blended her darker performances with the more energetic unhinged performances seen in this episode, you have one Harleen Quinzel.
Now haters are going to immediately point out that Jenny does not appear to have the look nor the voice for Harley but let’s think about this. James Gunn would SURELY go for the classic Harley look. He brought back Clark’s thunderpants, Harley is definitely getting that jester outfit with the pale clowns face. And think how many cosplayers look NOTHING like Harley but have done a successful job of getting the look right. This is something that would not be hard to overcome.
And as for the voice, well Harley sort of has a Brooklyn accent and do you know who Jenna Ortega has played the voice of in Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous? Brooklynn. Okay, I know that she doesn’t have a Brooklyn accent but she does have a strong American accent in that show, and I would argue that it wouldn’t be hard to train Jenna to get her accent sounding like its coming from one of the 5 boroughs already after listening to some of her work on this show.
Also, Joker is normally taller than her and a bit older too. At 22 years old and 5 foot 1 inches tall, Jenna Ortega gives you a wider range of options for casting a Joker! Most men would tower over someone who is that height and many could also look older than someone who looks as young as she does (remember she is playing a 16-year-old in ‘Wednesday’). This would mean your Joker and Harley would have longevity onscreen for many films without you having to worry about the ravages of time as you planned your many phases of films.
So, Mr Gunn, if you are reading this. Consider Jenna Ortega for the role of Harley Quinn.
Email [email protected] or tweet at us @talknerdyuk
By Jay Burdett @ProJub on Twitter
So, Mr Gunn, if you are reading this. Consider Jenna Ortega for the role of Harley Quinn.
Email [email protected] or tweet at us @talknerdyuk
By Jay Burdett @ProJub on Twitter
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