In Wednesday season 1, Gwendoline Christie’s Principal Larissa Weems was an enigma a headmistress with a personal grudge against Morticia Addams, but ultimately a fierce protector of her students. Her tragic death in the finale left Nevermore Academy without a leader, setting the stage for a very different kind of authority figure in season 2.
Enter Steve Buscemi’s Barry Dort, a principal with pyrokinesis, an aggressive agenda, and a suspicious knack for inserting himself into other people’s business. While Weems worked in the shadows to protect Wednesday and the school, Dort seems to thrive in the open confident, blunt, and unafraid to undermine his predecessor’s legacy.
What Really Happened to Principal Weems
Weems’ death still looms large over Nevermore. Season 1 revealed that, despite her complicated history with Morticia from competitive school days to romantic tension involving Gomez she was willing to put her life on the line for Wednesday. Disguising herself as Tyler Galpin in the finale, Weems tried to outmaneuver Laurel Gates (Marilyn Thornhill), only to be fatally poisoned with Nightshade.
Co-creator Miles Millar confirmed to TUDUM that Weems’ death is permanent, a creative choice meant to shock viewers and give Wednesday a real sense of loss. It also leaves her arc frustratingly unfinished there was no reconciliation with Morticia, no closure with Gomez, and no final goodbye to her students.
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A First Impression That Raises Eyebrows
When season 2 opens, Dort wastes no time distancing himself from Weems’ style. He tells Wednesday outright that he wants to return Nevermore to its “glory days” because “Weems fudged up.” It’s an unusually blunt assessment, especially considering Weems’ strong record as headmistress.
This tone sets the stage for his leadershi unapologetic, transactional, and willing to challenge tradition if it serves his version of the school’s future. It’s a sharp contrast to Weems’ mix of diplomacy and subtle manipulation.
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The Blackmail Game and Shady Phone Calls
By episode 2, Dort’s true methods start coming into focus. He blackmails Bianca Barlay, a siren, to pressure Morticia into inviting Grandmama to Nevermore a move whose purpose remains unclear but clearly involves playing multiple people against each other.
Then, in episode 4, Ajax overhears him on the phone saying:
“When have I let you down? I’ve always had your back, you’ve always had mine. So relax, I have never been more confident about anything… I have it under control…”
It’s a conversation dripping with secrecy and alliance-building. While season 2 confirms Dort isn’t the hooded crow killer, it strongly hints that he’s working with someone else someone with the influence and ambition to threaten Nevermore from within.
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A Principal With a “By Any Means Necessary” Approach
Dort’s stated goal is restoring Nevermore’s glory days. The question is: whose definition of “glory” is he chasing? If his phone calls and manipulation are any indication, he’s willing to cross moral lines possibly even endangering students to achieve it.
This makes him a very different kind of antagonist than season 1’s Laurel Gates. Gates was driven by personal revenge and ideology; Dort feels like a political player, someone interested in power consolidation and image management as much as if not more than justice or tradition.
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Why Dort Works as a Wednesday Season 2 Wildcard
Replacing Weems with a morally ambiguous, unpredictable figure is a smart narrative move. It prevents Nevermore from feeling too safe or static and forces Wednesday to navigate new power dynamics. Steve Buscemi’s casting also ensures Dort has instant charisma the kind that makes you want to trust him, even when you know you shouldn’t.
With his pyrokinesis, deep-rooted connections, and willingness to strike deals in the shadows, Dort has all the makings of a slow-burn threat. He might not be the main villain, but he’s positioned to either stand in Wednesday’s way or reluctantly team up with her when a bigger danger surfaces.
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