Percy Hynes White speaks out after Netflix confirmed that he won’t return for Wednesday season 2

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Published May 9, 2024 at 12:31 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

57668

As anticipation builds for the second season of the hit Netflix show Wednesday, one cast member’s absence has sparked much controversy and speculation. Percy Hynes White, known for his role as Xavier Thorpe, will not be returning for the upcoming season amid ongoing sexual assault allegations that first came to light in January 2023.

Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega as the iconic character Wednesday Addams, garnered widespread acclaim with its debut season, becoming a standout hit for streaming giant Netflix. However, as production for season two commences, reports have surfaced indicating significant changes to the cast lineup.

While seasoned actors like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán will return to the series as regulars, Hynes White’s absence might come as a surprise to many. The actor’s character, Xavier Thorpe, played a pivotal role in the first season as Wednesday’s love interest, leading fans to expect his continued presence in the show’s future.

The decision to remove Hynes White from the cast follows a string of allegations of sexual assault made against him by a user on X who claimed to have known him in Toronto, Canada.  The accusations are numerous and include coercion of minors, sexual assault allegations, and even the use of racist slurs and offensive memes. In response to these claims, the actor vehemently denied any liability, calling them a “campaign of misinformation” aimed at tarnishing his reputation. Yikes.

Despite Hynes White and his family’s staunch denial of the allegations, the controversy has cast a shadow over his involvement in the show. While there have been no official confirmation links between the allegations and his removal from the cast, the timing of the decision raises questions about the impact of the supposed offences on the show’s production.

Following the news of his departure, Hynes White posted a picture of the cast to his Instagram, seemingly confirming the rumours and expressing gratitude for his time on the show.

In his caption, the actor wrote: “I had so much fun working on this show. I can’t wait to watch season 2.”

Back in March 2023, Ortega, his co-star on Wednesday, chimed into the conversation, offering her solidarity during a podcast appearance. Ortega fondly recounted their time sharing an apartment during the show’s filming in Romania, highlighting their mutual support and camaraderie: “We were like each other’s family. Whenever one of us needed support or guidance, we were there for each other.”

While Hynes won’t be reprising his role in Wednesday Season 2, he remains active in the industry with upcoming projects. Notably, he and Ortega collaborated on Winter Spring Summer or Fall, a romantic comedy due to be released in June this year.

As the show moves forward without him, the true impact of Hynes White’s absence on Wednesday Season 2 remains to be seen. For now, fans can only speculate about the direction the show will take.

Keep On Reading

By Monica Athnasious

A breakdown of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics scandals from racism to sexual assault

By Alma Fabiani

Hollywood plant caretaker reveals celebrities’ TOP SECRETS on TikTok after getting fired

By Francesca Johnson

10 cancelled Netflix series that deserve a second life (if not a second watch)

By Charlie Sawyer

Viral Disney Pixar character TikTok filter faces backlash for alleged discrimination

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Liam Payne facing harassment accusations from ex-fiancée Maya Henry over obsessive contact

By Charlie Sawyer

Missouri lynched another innocent Black man: The alarming reality of wrongful convictions in the US

By Emma O'Regan-Reidy

What are Pit Viper sunglasses? From their 90s roots to their controversial fanbase

By Abby Amoakuh

Unpacking the many controversies of Disney’s live action Snow White and its lead Rachel Zegler

By Louis Shankar

The only ones who find the 2024 Paris Paralympics TikTok page offensive are able-bodied people

By Abby Amoakuh

Meet the CEO of Hulah, the dating app born out of a need to weed out weirdos

By Charlie Sawyer

Should you boycott Sephora? TikTok conspiracy claims beauty giant donated to Trump’s presidential campaign

By J'Nae Phillips

The gyaru revival: Why Gen Z are embracing Japan’s most rebellious aesthetic

By Charlie Sawyer

Unhinged podcast’s viral TikTok exposes how sexist phrases reflect men’s failures

By Abby Amoakuh

First ever porn app launches on iOS devices to coincide with iPhone’s 18th birthday

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Real estate agents are using TikTok trends to captivate Gen Z buyers

By J'Nae Phillips

From it girl-coded headphones to unsnatchable phone cases, techwear is Gen Z’s new obsession

By Abby Amoakuh

A lawyer breaks down Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battles. Here’s the verdict

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

I had to sign away my freedom to tell their story: A photojournalist on documenting Afghan women under the Taliban

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Ready for an early career break? The microretirement trend is Gen Z’s new way of escaping job stress

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Hollywood actor reveals Andrew Tate inspired his psychological thriller Speak No Evil character