Wednesday Music Supervisors Jen Malone and Nicole Weisberg discuss secrets and unexpected elements.

      Like everything else associated with Netflix's Wednesday, the choice of music in the series is enveloped in secrecy—until it becomes a pop culture phenomenon.

      Consider Lady Gaga's input with the previously unreleased song "The Dead Dance," which inspired a dazzling choreographed dance featuring Enid (Emma Myers) and Agnes (Evie Templeton). Music supervisors Jen Malone and Nicole Weisberg recorded it in almost complete secrecy.

      "There was a 24-hour-only streaming link," Malone explains. "No downloads were allowed, and it was heavily watermarked. Even the choreographer only heard it once and practiced using a drum stem. We had to prevent any leaks."

      Their cautious approach proved worthwhile. Once the scene was filmed, Malone notes, “It was immediate. Everyone understood—it was perfect.”

      To add to the intrigue, Gaga appeared in Season 2, Part 2 as Rosaline Rotwood, a psychic former teacher at Nevermore Academy.

      Jen Malone and Nicole Weisberg on Selecting the Ideal Songs for Wednesday

      Billie Piper portrays Isadora Capri in Wednesday. Photo by Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2025

      Another memorable moment from the season featured a haunting duet rendition of "Bad Moon Rising" performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones' Morticia and Billie Piper's Isadora Capri. The song had been on Malone's mind for years.

      "It always felt like a fit for Wednesday," Malone states. "But transforming it into a duet with Catherine made it truly special."

      Malone attended the recording session in Ireland.

      "It was surreal," she recalls. "Catherine was extremely collaborative and very receptive to feedback. Then you listen to the final mix and realize how perfectly it aligns with the show."

      That intuition—identifying the perfect song for the script—is central to Malone and Weisberg’s methodology.

      However, Wednesday isn't solely about music placements, viral TikTok successes, and reimagining '80s and '90s rock.

      The show's unique musical identity stems from blending orchestral sounds with pop and discovering ways to make well-known songs seem unsettlingly fresh.

      "Everything serves a purpose," Weisberg clarifies. "By the end, the music has become an integral part of the narrative."

      A piano-driven version of "Zombie" and a haunting stripped-down rendition of "Don’t Fear The Reaper" are among other highlights.

      "The cello plays a significant role in the show," Weisberg notes. "It allows us to take something familiar and make it feel like it belongs in this universe."

      The series is also recognized for its wonderfully unexpected moments: in one episode, a body-swap dance storyline introduces K-Pop, with Blackpink providing a startling visual and audio contrast to Wednesday’s typical ironic tone.

      "It’s about perspective," Malone observes. "What would be the most surprising song for Wednesday to dance to? That’s where those choices stem from."

      Clearing songs can be just as challenging as selecting them. For the finale, the team sought a cover of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics, a track closely guarded by Annie Lennox.

      To obtain permission, executive producer Tim Burton, who often directs episodes, reached out to her directly.

      “Sometimes that’s necessary,” Malone said. “Artists want assurance that their work is being handled with care.”

      As the show's popularity has increased, artists have become more inclined to agree. Bruce Springsteen even approved the use of “Dancing in the Dark,” after initially allowing just a lyrical reference.

      “By Season 2, people understand what the show is,” Malone explains. “They’re eager to be included.”

      Malone and Weisberg maintain a continuous playlist since Season 1 filled with "goth deep cuts, orchestral concepts, iconic tracks—and we’re always adding to it,” Weisberg shares.

      “When the scripts arrive, everything falls into place,” she adds.

      They propose hundreds of songs each season, with only a select few making the final cut.

      Burton’s vision, according to Malone, provides a steady creative foundation.

      “He has a clear idea of what he wants,” she states. “That greatly simplifies our job.”

      “When we finally see the finished product, it’s like, ‘Wow—we did that,’” she adds.

      Regarding future plans, the duo is keeping quiet. However, if Season 2 demonstrates anything, it's that Wednesday's most significant musical moments are those audiences don’t foresee—until they become ubiquitous.

      Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix. You can find more of our Emmy contender interviews here.

      Main image: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, left, and Lady Gaga as Rosaline Rotwood on the set of Wednesday. Photo by Sophy Holland/Netflix © 2025