Jenna Ortega Almost Quit Acting Before 'You' Role

The actress reveals she was ready to give up on her career before landing a breakout role.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:06am

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An extreme, abstract close-up photograph of Jenna Ortega's face, capturing the dramatic lighting and high-contrast textures of her skin and features, conceptually representing her perseverance and success in the entertainment industry.Jenna Ortega's journey from nearly quitting acting to becoming a rising star in Hollywood is reflected in this dramatic, high-fashion close-up.Los Angeles Today

Jenna Ortega, known for her roles in shows like 'You' and 'Wednesday', recently shared that she almost quit acting after her stint on the Disney Channel series 'Stuck in the Middle'. However, booking the role of Ellie Alves on the second season of 'You' convinced her to keep pursuing her passion for acting.

Why it matters

Ortega's story highlights the challenges and uncertainties that many young actors face in the entertainment industry, especially after finding early success as a child actor. Her decision to persevere despite considering quitting shows her resilience and dedication to her craft.

The details

Ortega explained that after her run on 'Stuck in the Middle' ended, she was unsure of her next steps and had discussed quitting acting with her team. However, landing the role of Ellie on 'You' reignited her love for acting and made her realize she couldn't give it up. In the second season of 'You', Ortega's character Ellie complicates the life of the show's protagonist, Joe Goldberg, as he tries to leave his murderous past behind in New York and start anew in Los Angeles.

  • Ortega starred on the Disney Channel series 'Stuck in the Middle' from 2016 to 2018.
  • She booked the role of Ellie Alves on the second season of 'You' after considering quitting acting.

The players

Jenna Ortega

An American actress known for her roles in shows like 'You' and 'Wednesday', as well as the Scream franchise and the film 'X'.

Joe Goldberg

The protagonist of the Netflix series 'You', played by actor Penn Badgley, who moves from New York to Los Angeles to escape the consequences of his murderous ways.

Ellie Alves

Ortega's character in the second season of 'You', who complicates Joe Goldberg's attempts to start a new life in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't know what else I was gonna do. I've never really considered anything else—more-so recently, just out of sake of curiosity and wanting another life experience. But when I was a teenager, I'd gotten off a children's show, and I didn't know what I was going to do. I had to prove myself and meet all these new casting directors who didn't know who I was.”

— Jenna Ortega, Actress

“It just felt like a good time to call it quits if I was going to. I was starting high school, and, 'it was a good run' sort of thing. We had talked about it for a few months with my team. And then, I think I booked that show You, and then I went on that set and I loved it and had the best time. I thought, 'Yeah, there's no way I could let this go.'”

— Jenna Ortega, Actress

What’s next

Ortega can next be seen in the film 'The Gallerist', which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026. She will also star alongside actor Kid Cudi in the upcoming slasher film 'X'.

The takeaway

Jenna Ortega's story serves as an inspiration to young actors who may be facing uncertainty or considering giving up on their dreams. Her perseverance and passion for her craft, even after finding early success, demonstrate the resilience required to thrive in the entertainment industry.