Actor Jenna Ortega recently revealed that she almost quit acting before landing the role of Ellie Alves in Netflix’s popular series You. During an appearance on Kid Cudi’s Big Bro podcast, Ortega shared how uncertain she felt about her career at that time.
She explained that after finishing a children’s show, she was unsure about her future in acting. Ortega said she had to prove herself to new casting directors who were unfamiliar with her work.
The Crossroads
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| The Problem | Uncertain about her future after finishing a children’s show |
| The Challenge | Had to prove herself to new casting directors unfamiliar with her work |
| The Consideration | Stepping away from acting; starting high school |
| The Decision | Discussed with her team for several months; was ready to stop |
Ortega considered stepping away from acting, thinking it might be time to move on as she was starting high school. She discussed the decision with her team for several months and was ready to stop.
The Turning Point: ‘You’
However, everything changed when she booked the role on You. She enjoyed working on the set so much that she decided not to give up on acting.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Role | Ellie Alves |
| Show | You (Netflix) |
| Character | Downstairs neighbour of Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley) |
| Season | Season 2 |
Her Early Career
| Show/Film | Role/Notes |
|---|---|
| Richie Rich (Netflix) | Early children’s show role |
| Stuck in the Middle (Disney) | Early children’s show role |
| You (Netflix) | Breakthrough role |
Jenna Ortega began her career with roles in children’s shows such as Netflix’s Richie Rich and Disney’s Stuck in the Middle.
Major Roles Since ‘You’
Since her breakthrough, Ortega has taken on leading roles in a variety of major films:
- X (horror)
- Scream VI (horror)
- Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (comedy horror)
- Death of a Unicorn
- Wednesday (Netflix’s Emmy-winning Addams Family adaptation)
She has also gained widespread recognition as the lead in Netflix’s Emmy-winning adaptation of The Addams Family, titled Wednesday.
The Takeaway
Ortega’s journey shows the challenges actors often face when transitioning from child roles to more mature parts. Her persistence and dedication helped her secure prominent roles that have boosted her career.
