Hunter Doohan has a new horror film on the horizon, and one of his closest co-stars couldn't be more excited for him. Doohan, best known for playing Tyler Galpin in Netflix's hit series Wednesday, is making his debut in the legendary Evil Dead franchise with the upcoming film Evil Dead Burn. In a recent interview, he revealed that Jenna Ortega, his on-screen love interest and off-screen friend, has been one of his biggest cheerleaders.
“She loves the franchise,” Doohan said of Ortega's reaction. “She’s been a scream queen in her own right for sure, just everything she’s done. But yeah, she’s so excited. She loves the franchise and I saw her right before I left and she was just wishing me best of luck in Paris for the premiere.” Ortega, who has cemented her status as a modern scream queen through films like Scream (2022), X (2022), and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), has been a vocal fan of the Evil Dead series, making her support for Doohan especially meaningful.
The Bond of the Wednesday Cast
Doohan and Ortega first met while filming Wednesday, the supernatural mystery series that follows Ortega's Wednesday Addams as she navigates life at Nevermore Academy while investigating a string of grisly murders. Doohan's character, Tyler Galpin, initially appears as a sweet barista who becomes Wednesday's love interest, but is later revealed to be the monstrous Hyde in season 1. The two actors developed a strong rapport on set, and that camaraderie has extended well beyond the show's production.
Now back in Dublin filming season 3, Doohan says the Wednesday cast has formed a close-knit friendship that thrives on mutual support. “Before I go, everyone on the cast is really excited for me and we always do that for each other,” he explained. He also highlighted Joy Sunday, who played Bianca Barclay, as another example of the cast's collective enthusiasm. “Joy Sunday was in that show, DTF St. Louis on HBO and we had watch parties for the premiere of that. I think a few of us are going to go see Evil Dead in Dublin together. So that’s really cute to have this cast that’s all genuinely happy for each other and for anything we do outside the show.”
This sense of community is rare in Hollywood, where cast members often move on to separate projects without much cross-promotion. But the Wednesday ensemble, which also includes stars like Emma Myers, Percy Hynes White, and Gwendoline Christie, has built a culture of celebration. Doohan noted that he’ll reunite with Ortega once he returns to Dublin after the film's Paris premiere, ensuring that their friendship remains a priority despite busy schedules.
Doohan's Journey into the Evil Dead Franchise
For Doohan, joining Evil Dead Burn was not just a career milestone but also a personal journey into a horror franchise he had long admired from a distance. The first Evil Dead film he ever saw was Fede Álvarez's 2013 reboot, which he caught in theaters during his high school years. “It scared the s--- out of me,” he recalled with a laugh. That initial fright left a lasting impression, but it wasn't until he was cast in the new installment that he truly delved into the series' rich mythology.
To prepare for his role as Joseph, Doohan started with Evil Dead II (1987), particularly its iconic sequence of Bruce Campbell's character battling his own possessed hand. That scene, he discovered, had a direct connection to Wednesday: the show's writers used it as a reference for the character Thing, the disembodied hand that serves as Wednesday's ally. “From there, I just kept going,” Doohan said. “I became kind of a super fan through that.” He watched all the original films, including Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead (1981) and Army of Darkness (1992), as well as the recent television series Ash vs Evil Dead, to fully understand the Deadites, the Necronomicon, and the rules of the franchise's universe.
The Evil Dead franchise, created by Sam Raimi, has been a cornerstone of horror cinema for over four decades. Known for its blend of gruesome practical effects, dark humor, and relentless tension, the series has inspired countless filmmakers and spawned a dedicated fanbase. The 2013 reboot, directed by Fede Álvarez, reinvigorated the franchise for a new generation, and the 2023 film Evil Dead Rise continued that momentum. Now, Evil Dead Burn promises to add another chapter to the legacy, with Doohan stepping into the chaos alongside a cast that includes newcomer roles and returning elements from the mythology.
Background on Hunter Doohan and Jenna Ortega
Before Wednesday, Hunter Doohan was largely known for smaller roles in series like Your Honor (where he played a troubled teenager) and Truth Be Told. His performance as Tyler Galpin required a delicate balance of charm and menace, earning him critical praise and a growing fan following. Now 32, Doohan is eager to expand his repertoire into horror, a genre he has always admired. “I love horror that has a sense of fun, and Evil Dead has that in spades,” he said. “Even when things get terrifying, there’s a wink to the audience that makes it enjoyable.”
Jenna Ortega, meanwhile, has become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood. At 23, she has already worked with directors like Ti West (in X and MaXXXine) and Tim Burton (in Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice). Her ability to play both vulnerability and fierce determination has made her a natural fit for the scream queen archetype, but she has also shown range in dramas and comedies. Her excitement for Doohan's role in Evil Dead Burn underscores her genuine passion for the horror genre and her loyalty to her co-stars.
The Upcoming Film: Evil Dead Burn
Directed by the team behind the recent franchise revival, Evil Dead Burn is set to hit theaters on July 10. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is expected to continue the tradition of isolated settings, demonic possession, and survival horror. Doohan's character, Joseph, is described as a young man who becomes entangled with the Necronomicon's dark magic, leading to a night of terror that tests his resolve and morality. The production reportedly used extensive practical effects to honor the franchise's roots, with Doohan undergoing rigorous training for action sequences.
Fans of the Evil Dead series have eagerly awaited each new installment, and the inclusion of Doohan—a rising star from the Netflix hit—has only heightened anticipation. Meanwhile, the Wednesday fandom is equally excited to see their favorite 'Hyde' take on a new monstrous challenge. The cross-pollination of fan bases is a testament to how streaming and social media have blurred the lines between different media properties.
As Doohan prepares for his horror debut, the support from his Wednesday family continues to fuel his enthusiasm. Whether it's Ortega's heartfelt well-wishes or plans for a Dublin group screening, the actor knows he has a solid foundation behind him. And with Evil Dead Burn promising more scares, laughs, and blood, audiences will soon see what happens when a beloved franchise meets fresh talent.
Source: MSN News