Joy Sunday has captivated us.

      "I'm walking on eggshells to make sure I don’t reveal anything," Joy Sunday expresses during a brief moment of tension. The Wednesday actress faces the challenging job of promoting a project that remains strictly confidential, requiring some mental agility as we discuss the latest developments regarding our favorite Nevermore Academy siren, Bianca Barclay, the character that made Sunday a standout breakout. I meet with her via Zoom just weeks before the show's eagerly awaited return. The following day, she’s set to travel to Poland to start the global press tour—a thrilling and hectic fashion experience, which we'll touch upon later.

      Wednesday, a supernatural dark comedy inspired by the character Wednesday Addams and directed by the visionary Tim Burton, has proven to be a significant success. After its launch in fall 2022, it became Netflix's most-watched English-language series, catapulting its star Jenna Ortega onto nearly every "ones to watch" list and earning four Primetime Emmy Awards. Season 2, part 1, was released over two years later, generating immense anticipation and garnering 50 million views within the first five days. For its young ensemble cast, Wednesday represents a dream opportunity that can make careers. "Being part of it felt surreal and really exciting, as I got to expand the [Addams Family] universe as a completely new character," Sunday shares. "That always brings me joy."

      While Sunday recognized the Addams Family franchise growing up in Staten Island, New York, where the theme song was familiar to everyone, she never engaged with the films or TV shows. Her Nigerian household considered anything spooky or gothic taboo, resulting in no Halloween celebrations and absolutely no viewings of The Addams Family. "It was amusing because I invited my dad to the premiere of Wednesday season 1," Sunday recalls. "There’s all this joy and celebration, and as soon as the credits started, I thought, 'Oh my God, Joy!' So I turned to my dad and said, 'By the way, this is somewhat of a supernatural show,' and he replied, 'Oh, that's fine. I've seen The Shining.' That kind of sums up my family's connection to scary things—it's either nothing or The Shining."

      Bianca, the character Sundays plays, was a standout in season 1. Everyone enjoys a compelling redemption arc, and Bianca's transformation from a "mean girl to hero" is no exception. When we first encounter the siren in a fencing class, she appears stoic, cold, and competitive, setting up an entertaining rivalry with Wednesday throughout the season. As the story unfolds, her vulnerabilities emerge, revealing a young woman grappling with her family's troubled history while searching for her own identity as a siren. "Everyone has a bad day. Everyone can be a mean girl at times," the actress says, explaining how relatable Bianca is. "It was lovely to show what’s happening behind the scenes."

      The role required a fast-paced shooting schedule and extensive preparation, including lessons in fencing and canoeing, yet Sunday notes it was the most comfortable she had ever felt on set. "I wasn’t nervous or shaking in my boots, which is wild because I was on set with Tim Burton and Catherine Zeta-Jones."

      However, season 2 posed a different challenge for Sunday. "I don't know if there's a term for it, but it's like sequel pressure. I wanted to ensure I maintained the magic from season 1," she reflects. Almost three years had elapsed between filming the two seasons, prompting Sunday to take a fresh approach to her on-screen queen bee. Always a student of her craft, she hired a new acting coach and delved deeper into character work. This process involved expanding Bianca’s backstory, examining her childhood, teenage needs, and the influence of her mother on how she wields her powers. "This shifted my viewpoint on Bianca," Sunday shares about her discoveries. "Her motivations and reactions evolved based on my work. My performance is very instinctual—there’s always something connecting Bianca and me, creating a continuous thread."

      Without revealing major plot points or spoilers, Sunday hints that season 2 will explore Bianca's journey towards accepting hope and community while learning not to shoulder the weight of her past alone. In an exciting first for the character, she will harness her powers to defend herself rather than solely for others or through deception.

      Beyond meticulous preparation, stepping into Bianca's black-and-purple Nevermore uniform instantly connected Sunday back to the character. She enthusiastically mentions that Bianca's style has evolved across the seasons, reflecting the character's development—a fun collaboration with the costume team. "I love working with Mark [Sutherland] and Colleen [Atwood]. They're fantastic and allow me to express myself with the wardrobe," she remarks. Fashion has always been a form of self-expression for Sunday. She glows while discussing it, sharing eccentric ideas (including a particularly outlandish outfit featuring suspenders and neon that she