How Did 'Wednesday' Explain Xavier's Absence After Percy Hynes White’s Exit?

Wednesday addressed Xavier’s absence in season 2 after Percy Hynes White‘s exit from the hit Netflix show.

Warning: This story contains spoilers about season 2 of Wednesday.

During the season 2 premiere, which aired on Thursday, August 6, the new principal of Nevermore Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi) revealed that Xavier transferred schools.

“Vincent Thorpe chaired the [Gala Fundraising Committee] the last three years but after Xavier was falsely accused of murder, he pulled his son and his endowment from Nevermore,” Dort told Wednesday (Jenna Ortega). “He’s heading to Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland.”

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Later in the episode, Wednesday received a package from Xavier, which included a painting of “a creepy crow on a headstone” and a note.

“I tried texting but I guess you lost the phone I gave you. Consider this my goodbye gift,” Xavier wrote to Wednesday. “The image suddenly flashed in my head. Don’t ask me how I know or what it means but it’s connected to you, I’m sure. Who is Wednesday Addams without a mystery to solve, right? Xavier.”

White’s absence from the cast came after multiple women accused him of sexual assault following the release of season 1 of Wednesday. White, 23, denied the allegations in a social media statement.

Percy Hynes White in ‘Wednesday.’ Courtesy of Netflix

“Hey everyone. There’s something I need to clarify. Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxed, and my friends have received death threats,” White wrote via Instagram in June 2023. “Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message. The rumors are false.”

White, who played Wednesday’s love interest, went on to slam the #CancelPercy trend started by fans on social media. “I can’t accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted or criminally negligent of people’s safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust towards victims,” he concluded. “It’s very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people. I’m really thankful for everyone who’s stood by me and helped share the facts. Harassment of my family, friends, and coworkers needs to stop, please. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”

The actor addressed his departure from season 2 of Wednesday, writing via Instagram in 2024, “I had so much fun working on this show. I can’t wait to watch season 2 Much love.”

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Netflix has never publicly addressed the allegations against White. Ortega, 22, meanwhile, was asked about how the show adapted to White’s exit and she referred to it as “a weird redirect.”

“But we’re introducing so many different characters that I think it kind of will get lost,” she told Vanity Fair in August 2024 about how her character Wednesday’s world will “feel slightly askew” in season 2.

Before Wednesday returned with new episodes, the hit series was renewed for season 3. Showrunner Alfred Gough and Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria released a statement in July confirming that there is also a Wednesday spinoff in the works.

“It’s something we’re definitely noodling. There are other characters we can look at,” Gough teased before Bajaria added, “There’s a lot to explore in the Addams Family.”

Wednesday season 2 part 1 is currently streaming on Netflix while part 2 premieres on September 3.