Ashley Sutton’s Unexpected Path to ‘Yellowjackets’ Stardom

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Ashley Sutton initially tried out for ‘Yellowjackets‘ five years ago as she aimed to expand her acting portfolio and admired the television work of Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, who later created the Showtime drama. At that time, the show was an unknown pilot, yet Sutton got the opportunity to read for a minor role. She can’t recall the specific scenes or character she auditioned for, but she vividly remembers the laughter during the process. “Ashley and Bart have a knack for creating eerie content, but they also have a great sense of humor, which was evident in the audition,” Sutton shares. Unfortunately, the role didn’t make it into the final cut, but Sutton remained interested in the series: “I was an ardent fan from day one.

Years have passed, and then she received a call from her team informing her that she had another chance to be part of one of the TV shows she loved most. In this show, Sutton portrays Hanna, a science enthusiast with bright eyes who embarks on an expedition in a particularly haunted area of the Canadian wilderness to study the mythical Arctic Banshee Frog. Yellowjackets viewers got a brief taste of Sutton at the end of the previous episode, as she and her colleagues encountered the cannibalistic soccer team during a chilling ceremony; this week, we learned more about how Hanna will win over the stranded teenagers. Below, Sutton speaks with The Hollywood Reporter and shares her experiences as both an actress and a fan.

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So tell us how your casting process on Yellowjackets came full circle…

Following my initial tryout, I didn’t anticipate being recalled, given how frequently fresh faces were being introduced to the show. However, my team extended an opportunity for season three, which led to casting calls and a series of auditions. Surprisingly, the showrunner then phoned me to confirm that I had landed the role. The process was swift and unforeseen. Throughout it all, I maintained a spectator’s perspective, even on set. And isn’t that also Hanna’s experience? She’s stepping into the Yellowjackets universe, much like we did, questioning, “What are they up to, and what’s going on?

Were you looking to get into prestige drama?

My fascination with films originated from my grandmother, as she owned a collection of movies. She strategically placed the newer ones at the lower shelf, allowing me to explore the unfamiliar. Whenever I visited my grandparents, I would spend hours watching movies in their room. I devoured all genres. Upon arriving in L.A., people suggested that due to my large eyes, I should pursue comedy. However, I have a deep affection for complex characters, particularly those with morally ambiguous personas. Recently, I’ve been expressing my preference for such roles, especially women who believe they are right based on their experiences, even though their actions might not be universally acceptable.

What was your journey to getting this big break?

Initially, I attended college with aspirations of becoming a sports broadcaster, but simultaneously pursued acting as a hobby. However, one day, I pondered upon the challenging nature of news journalism and questioned whether it was the path I wanted to follow for the next decade. Simultaneously, I met a manager who suggested that if I ever relocated to Los Angeles, she would help me. Consequently, I decided to leave my job, took up a position at Starbucks to secure insurance, and eventually transferred to a Starbucks in Burbank, which was near Bob’s Big Boy. This entire transition happened within eight months, and it was the first time I had ever been to Los Angeles.

Upon arriving, I began to grasp the possibility of carving out a career in acting as numerous audition opportunities presented themselves. I formed connections with casting directors who were eager to see me perform, and I recognized that all I needed was to find the right role to break through.

In the scripts for Hanna’s auditions, were you already aware that her character would eventually become morally ambiguous? Or was she initially portrayed as a more innocent figure, perhaps a victim?

Initially, I believed that Hanna was a simple, inexperienced girl, driven by her passion for finding those elusive frogs. My primary concern was understanding the significance of these frogs to her, what compelled her to abandon her life temporarily and venture into the wilderness for them. To guide my approach on set, I needed to crack the code, a term one of my mentors used to describe making the right decisions in the heat of the moment. So I pondered, “Ah, Hanna is this peculiar, frog-loving girl.” However, as more scripts came in, I realized there was far more depth to her character.

Is it your belief that these characters were inherently dark, or does the forest have the power to corrupt even the most innocent souls?

In a different scenario, one might ponder what actions an individual would take to endure? I believe almost every human being would exhaust all options to persevere. I sense this instinct was within Hannah all along, but it’s unclear how much she acknowledged it before these experiences. It becomes particularly clear in episode seven when I’m hiding in the log, and they know I’m there, and I decide to exit the log. In that instant, Hannah seems to accept the darkness and realizes she must stand up and fight. This might not be a pretty battle. She can no longer frolic in the woods, flirt with boys, or chase after frogs. That moment marks her first step into the other side of herself. Coincidentally, it was also my initial day filming in the wilderness and only my second day on set. The rain poured down, as it frequently does in Vancouver, making us all soaked and muddy. I felt that was my initiation into Yellowjackets. Additionally, I was genuinely scared during episode six for the first time when I walked onto the set during that eerie ritual around the fire. It was so dark, and they guided Nelson [Franklin] and me to the fire, leaving me wondering, “What are we doing here, and what is happening right now?” It was absolutely terrifying.

Were there any actual first-day jitters, considering you’re joining a very tight-knit group?

On my first day, I found myself alongside Nelson Franklin and Joel McHale, and then it was a smaller crew of us on the following day. The grand days with the entire cast were next, and let me tell you, the warmth and kindness radiating from everyone was palpable. It felt like Christmas morning, their faces lighting up at our arrival to join them in this wilderness adventure.

What sort of advice, or plot secrets, did you seek out?

As a fortunate gamer, I had the privilege of collaborating with Jennifer Morrison on episode seven, stepping into the director’s chair. It was an absolute joy to be guided by an actress with such a rich television background. We shared stories about parenthood – something we both appreciate, even though it’s not part of my own life yet, as my character doesn’t have kids, but Hanna does. Jennifer, being a mom herself, offered valuable insights and allowed me to take the reins in shaping the character, giving her depth that resonated with me personally.

Do you have any theories about the show that changed during your time working on it?

Despite knowing that their rescue is inevitable, I’m unsure about the specifics of how it will unfold. Originally, when I received the script for this season, I thought I would be the one to save them, but that turned out to be quite a laughable assumption.

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In the third season of Yellowjackets, fresh episodes become available every Friday on Paramount+. Additionally, for those who prefer linear TV, the show airs Sundays at 8 PM on Showtime. Keep up-to-date with The Hollywood Reporter’s coverage and interviews, including our chat with Joel McHale.

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2025-03-22 01:25