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EUROPE.- The second season of “Merlina” is officially in production in Ireland, as revealed by Netflix.
Likewise, he revealed a list of the complete cast for the new season of the successful series, but it will have some changes regarding the cast, since the creators of the series left out the actor Percy Hynes White, who played Xavier Thorpe during the first season. following accusations of alleged sexual abuse.
Jenna Ortega, of course, will return as Merlina Addams, while Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo will all be promoted to series regulars for season 2.
Zeta-Jones plays Morticia, while Guzmán plays Gomez and Ordonez plays Pugsley.
Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Hunter Doohan, Victor Dorobantu, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer and Evie Templeton will also return, as will Fred Armisen and Jamie McShane.
Their happy faces feed my bitterness. 😬 The cast of ‘Merlina’ has already started recording season 2. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/oih9aAB2qR
— Netflix Latinoamérica (@NetflixLAT) May 7, 2024
What is known about accusations of alleged sexual crimes by Percy Hynes White?
Actor Percy Hynes White, who played one of the protagonists of ‘Merlina’, Xavier Thorpe, Merlina’s love interest in the series, will not return for the second season of the show, after being fired from the project.
This decision was made after an anonymous Twitter user accused him of sexual assault, triggering a wave of complaints under the hashtag #CancelPercy.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, a source close to the actor’s family confirmed his exclusion from the new installment of “Merlina”, although so far the production has not issued an official statement in this regard.
In the midst of the controversy, Percy Hynes White defended himself through his Instagram account in June 2023, categorically rejecting the accusations against him.
The actor emphasized his innocence and described the accusations as part of a misinformation campaign. He also lamented the negative impact these ‘baseless’ accusations could have on perceptions of actual victims of abuse.
The rumors are false. I cannot accept being portrayed as someone who is intolerant or criminally negligent with people’s safety. These are the types of unfounded and harmful claims that can cause distrust towards victims. It is very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people. I am truly grateful for everyone who supported me and helped share the facts. The harassment of my family, friends and co-workers must stop, please. Thank you for taking the time to read this,” he expressed.
So far, no further details have been given about Percy Hynes White’s future in the entertainment industry or possible legal actions related to the accusations against him.
Percy Hynes White, the actor who plays Xavier in Merlina, has deactivated comments on his Instagram account after reports of sexual harassment and abuse made by several girls who are moving the hashtag #cancelpercy
Open 🧵 pic.twitter.com/9j8CqhjeEW— Lilo (@HistorywithLilo) January 19, 2023
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Will there be new characters in Merlina season 2? Of course!
According to Netflix’s most recent announcement through its social networks, there will be more than one new character for the second season.
Among the new recurring members of the series are: Billie Piper (“Scoop”, “I Hate Suzie”), Evie Templeton (“Return to Silent Hill”, “Lord of Misrule”), Owen Painter (“Beautiful Little Things”, “The Handmaid’s Tale”) and Noah Taylor (“Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “Park Avenue”).
Additionally, Netflix has now confirmed that Steve Buscemi will appear as a new series regular, while Thandiwe Newton will appear in a guest-starring role. Variety exclusively reported on Buscemi’s casting on April 16 and Newton’s a week later.
Netflix has also revealed the guest star lineup which includes: Christopher Lloyd (“The Addams Family,” “Back to the Future”), Joanna Lumley (“Fool Me Once,” “Absolutely Fabulous”), Frances O’Connor (“ Missing”, “The Twelve”), Haley Joel Osment (“The Kominsky Method”, “Someone I Used to Know”), Heather Matarazzo (“The Princess Diaries”, “Scream”) and Joonas Suotamo.
Heather Matarazzo joined the cast of the second season of ‘Wandinha’.
The actress is known for starring in ‘The Princess Diaries’ and appearing in the ‘Scream’ franchise. pic.twitter.com/EJ74AvW8Lf
— Wandinha Brasil 🕷️ (@WandinhaBR) May 7, 2024
Fans will remember that Lloyd played Uncle Fester in two of the “Addams Family” films in the 1990s, although Armisen took over the role of Fester in season 1 of “Merlina.”
Previously, Lloyd’s “The Addams Family” co-star Christina Ricci, who played Merlina in the same films, appeared in Season 1 of the show as Marilyn Thornhill.
One of my biggest celebrity crushes Christina Ricci. She’s kind, friendly, sweet, intelligent, feisty, seductive, perky and energetic. pic.twitter.com/NlYP5i0v21
— Nathaniel Preston (@NathanielPres19) May 1, 2024
Matarazzo, meanwhile, previously appeared with Ortega in the new film “Scream” released in 2022.
“We are thrilled that the entire Addams Family will be enrolling in Nevermore Academy this season along with a dream cast of icons and new faces,” said series creators and showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar.
‘Merlina’, a hit
“Merlina” originally debuted in November 2022 and instantly became a massive hit for Netflix.
It ranks as one of the most-watched shows the streaming service has ever released and was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards, winning four. Work on season 2 was delayed due to the writers and actors strikes that brought much of Hollywood to a standstill in 2023.
Gough and Millar also serve as executive producers of the series in addition to writing and co-showrunner.
Tim Burton serves as director and is also executive producer of the series. Toluca Pictures’ Steve Stark and 1.21 Entertainment’s Andrew Mittman also executive produce along with Karen Richards, Kayla Alpert, Glickmania’s Jonathan Glickman, Gail Berman, Tommy Harper and Meredith Averill. Ortega is a producer of season 2.
Paco Cabezas and Angela Robinson will also direct episodes this season. MGM Television is the studio.
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