Netflix Can’t Afford Another Long Wait for Wednesday Season 3

Netflix appears determined not to repeat its biggest recent mistake with Wednesday: making fans wait years between seasons.

While the team behind Stranger Things allowed enormous gaps between releases—culminating in a season 5 finale that arrived after a three-year wait—the approach for Wednesday is now very different.

After a nearly three-year gap between seasons 1 and 2 of Wednesday, Netflix’s goal is clear: shorten the wait going forward. This matters even more for a show that is not a massive effects-heavy blockbuster and should, in theory, be easier to produce on a tighter schedule.

When could Wednesday season 3 arrive?

Earlier reports suggested that production on Wednesday season 3 would begin in November 2025, just two months after season 2 aired. That would have been a dramatic improvement compared to the long delay between seasons 1 and 2, when filming did not start for about a year and a half.

However, new information suggests that the season 3 production start has now been pushed to February 2026. From there, things get a bit unclear. One report claims filming could end as early as May 2026—just three months later—but casting information strongly suggests a longer shoot of around nine months.

If production does run closer to nine months, that would point to a wrap date around May 2026, followed by roughly nine months of post-production. That puts a likely release window at February 2027.

If this timeline holds, the gap between seasons 2 and 3 would be about a year and a half—roughly half the wait fans endured between the first two seasons. For a show like Wednesday, that may be about as good as it gets.

Why Wednesday matters so much to Netflix

Netflix has strong reasons to prioritize Wednesday. Two of its biggest global hits, Squid Game and Stranger Things, both ended in 2025. Very few shows have come close to matching their popularity.

Wednesday is the rare exception—and in some ways, it has already surpassed Stranger Things. Season 1 of Wednesday remains the most-watched English-language Netflix series by a wide margin. Season 2 currently sits at number five on Netflix’s all-time top 10 list and may have ranked even higher if it had not taken so long to arrive.

The only recent title even in this popularity range is Adolescence, a limited series that is now being reworked into an unexpected second season. Another upcoming test will be Bridgerton season 5 later this year, especially after season 4 failed to crack the top 10 list.

The long-term challenge

Unlike many adaptations, Wednesday does not risk running out of source material, meaning it could theoretically continue for many seasons. The biggest unknown is star Jenna Ortega, who is increasingly in demand for major film projects. How long she will want to stay in the role remains an open question.

Still, for now, the message is clear. If Netflix wants a true replacement for its biggest ending franchises, Wednesday needs to stay on schedule. Season 3 is no longer just another renewal—it may be Netflix’s most important priority.