Hunter Doohan already has one very enthusiastic fan lined up for his Evil Dead franchise debut. Speaking with PEOPLE, the 32-year-old actor says Jenna Ortega — who has become a modern scream queen thanks to films like Scream, X and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — couldn't be happier to see his Wednesday costar join one of horror's most beloved series with the latest gruesome installment, Evil Dead Burn.

"Yeah, it was really sweet," Doohan tells PEOPLE of Ortega's reaction. He continues, "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."

A Bond Beyond Nevermore Academy

Doohan and Ortega, 23, first met while filming Netflix's hit supernatural mystery Wednesday, which follows Ortega's Wednesday Addams as she navigates life at Nevermore Academy while investigating a string of grisly murders. Doohan plays Tyler Galpin, the seemingly sweet barista who becomes Wednesday Addams' love interest before eventually being revealed as the monstrous Hyde in season 1. The chemistry and camaraderie on set translated into a genuine friendship off-screen, one that continues to grow even as both actors pursue other high-profile projects.

Now back in Dublin shooting season 3, Doohan says the Wednesday cast has formed a close-knit friendship that extends well beyond the set, with everyone making a point to celebrate each other's accomplishments. "Before I go, everyone on the cast is really excited for me and we always do that for each other," he says, adding that he'll reunite with Ortega when he returns to Dublin after the film's Paris premiere.

That support goes both ways, according to Doohan. He also points to Joy Sunday as another example, recalling how the cast rallied around her latest project. "Joy Sunday was in that show, DTF St. Louis on HBO and we had watch parties for the premiere of that," he says. "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."

Becoming a Super Fan of the Evil Dead Franchise

Joining Evil Dead Burn also turned Doohan into a much bigger fan of the franchise than he ever expected. The first Evil Dead film he saw was Fede Álvarez's 2013 reboot in theaters while he was in high school. "It scared the s--- out of me," he recalls. While preparing to play Joseph in Evil Dead Burn, he watched Evil Dead II after its iconic sequence of Bruce Campbell battling his possessed hand became a point of reference for Wednesday's Thing. From there, Doohan dove into the entire series to better understand the mythology surrounding the Deadites. "I became kind of a super fan through that," he says.

The Evil Dead franchise, created by Sam Raimi, began in 1981 with the original The Evil Dead, a low-budget horror film that became a cult classic. It spawned two sequels — Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992) — as well as a 2013 reboot, a TV series Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018), and the 2023 installment Evil Dead Rise. The franchise is known for its blend of horror and dark comedy, its practical effects, and its iconic hero Ash Williams, played by Bruce Campbell. Evil Dead Burn continues this tradition, introducing new characters like Joseph, played by Doohan, who must fight off the demonic Deadites.

Jenna Ortega's Rise as a Scream Queen

Jenna Ortega has become one of the most sought-after young actors in horror. After gaining attention on the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle, she transitioned to darker roles with the Netflix series You and then the horror films The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020) and Scream (2022), where she played Tara Carpenter, a role she reprised in Scream VI (2023). She also starred in Ti West's X (2022) and its prequel Pearl (2022), showcasing her range as a scream queen. Her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Tim Burton's Wednesday cemented her status as a pop culture icon. Ortega's excitement for Doohan's debut in the Evil Dead franchise underscores her passion for the genre.

Hunter Doohan's Career Trajectory

Hunter Doohan, born in 1992, began his acting career with small roles in television series like Private Practice and Hawaii Five-0. He gained wider recognition for his role as Adam in the Netflix miniseries Your Honor (2020–2021), where he starred opposite Bryan Cranston. His portrayal of Tyler Galpin in Wednesday brought him international fame, and his departure from the series after season 1 (though he may return in flashbacks or future seasons) left fans eager to see more of his work. Evil Dead Burn marks his first major horror film role, and he has fully embraced the genre. In addition to acting, Doohan is also known for his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, having come out as gay in 2020.

The Making of Evil Dead Burn

Evil Dead Burn is directed by Sébastien Vaniček, a French filmmaker known for his acclaimed horror short Au Poste (2022). The film was produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, along with Bruce Campbell serving as executive producer. Set in a remote cabin in the woods — a staple of the franchise — the story follows a group of friends who accidentally unleash a demonic force. Doohan's character Joseph is a skeptic who must confront his beliefs when the dead rise. The film promises the same visceral, practical-effects-driven horror that fans have come to love, with a modern twist.

Filming took place in New Zealand, a country known for its stunning landscapes and strong film production infrastructure. The cast also includes rising stars such as Samantha Logan (13 Reasons Why) and Leo Woodall (The White Lotus). The production aimed to honor the original films while introducing new scares and characters that expand the mythology.

Doohan's preparation for the role involved extensive physical training, as the film contains intense action sequences. He also studied the erratic movements of Deadites from previous films to bring authenticity to his performance. "I watched a lot of videos of Bruce Campbell's Ash going crazy," he said in a behind-the-scenes interview. "The physicality of horror is underrated. It's like dancing with a demon."

The Wednesday Cast's Support System

The bond among the Wednesday cast is evident in their public support for one another. In addition to Doohan and Ortega, the ensemble includes Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), Percy Hynes White (Xavier Thorpe), and others. They frequently post on social media about each other's projects and have been known to attend premieres together. This supportive environment has been a highlight for Doohan, who calls the show a "family."

With season 3 currently in production, fans are eager to see how the story evolves after the cliffhanger ending of season 2. Ortega has also taken on a more active role behind the camera, serving as an executive producer for the upcoming second season. The show's success has revitalized interest in the Addams Family franchise and made stars out of its young cast.

As Doohan prepares for the Paris premiere of Evil Dead Burn, he carries with him the good wishes of his Wednesday family. "It's really special to have that support," he says. "We all understand how tough this industry can be, so when someone lands a cool role, we celebrate it."

Evil Dead Burn is in theaters July 10.

Source:MSN News