Simon Harris visits set of Netflix show Wednesday

An Taoiseach Simon Harris has visited the set of season 2 of Netflix hit Wednesday, which is set to be the largest production to ever film in Ireland.

Mr Harris was joined by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin and Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland at Ashford Studios in Co Wicklow, home to An Taoiseach’s constituency, on Tuesday morning.

They met the series director Tim Burton, showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar, and several Irish creatives working on the production.

Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley and Thandiwe Newton are among the guest stars for the new season of Wednesday.

Returning cast members Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo will also become series regulars on the hit Netflix show about Wednesday Addams, who is played by Jenna Ortega.

Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter and Noah Taylor will also return for the new season.

“It was a pleasure to visit Netflix’s Wednesday set to see the award-winning team in action and meet acclaimed director and executive producer Tim Burton,” Mr Harris said.

“I’m delighted to see Ireland continues to be chosen as a location to film series and movies which supports our economy, creates jobs, showcases our creative talents and promotes our country on a global stage.”

Minister Catherine Martin (TD) said: “I’m delighted that Netflix chose to bring Wednesday – one of its biggest shows – to Ireland, creating jobs and hugely contributing to the Irish economy.

“The Irish Government’s continued recognition of the importance of incoming large-scale production for our sector has been invaluable. Supports like Section 481 are crucial to the continued development of Ireland’s screen sector.”

Anna Mallett, VP Production EMEA, Netflix said: “Ireland has a thriving production sector, and Netflix has a keen interest in its long-term potential. In recent years we have invested substantially in productions made in Ireland such as The Siege of Jadotville, The Wonder, Bodkin, and Vikings: Valhalla.

“Netflix is planning to produce Marian Keyes’ Grown Ups and Lisa McGee’s How to Get to Heaven from Belfast series in Ireland too.

“We’re so proud to now bring the cultural juggernaut that is Wednesday to Ireland, as the country’s biggest production it will create jobs and add millions of Euro to the Irish economy.”

An Taoiseach highlighted recent improvements to Ireland’s film and television tax incentive, Section 481.

Last year’s Budget announcements increased the tax incentive’s cap on eligible expenditure from €70 million to €125 million per project, and further extended the credit to 2028.

These amendments have been welcomed by the Irish screen industry as encouraging further investment into the Irish economy on jobs, goods and services during production.