[This story contains spoilers from Yellowjackets seasons one and two.]
Yellowjackets has meaty changes in store when it returns for season three.
In the current timeline, one of the main characters who survived has passed away. Additionally, at the end of season two, the teenagers were abandoned after their shelter was mysteriously burned down. This double blow occurred in the season finale. A new Antler Queen was crowned and it’s expected that their group rituals will continue to involve gory events when the Emmy-nominated drama combining survival, horror, and coming-of-age returns on Valentine’s Day!
Developed by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, Yellowjackets follows a gripping narrative through two timeframes. It centers around a soccer team of exceptionally skilled high school girls, known as the Yellowjackets, who unfortunately survive a plane crash in a secluded wilderness area in the north. The initial seasons depict their transformation from a team into a ruthless tribe that ultimately resort to cannibalism as a means of surviving the harsh winter. Simultaneously, it delves into the lives they lead as adults 25 years later, revealing the trauma they still carry from those dark days.
As “Showtime” invites viewers to feel envious upon the return of season three, let’s gather all the information known so far, before venturing once more into the wilderness – as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
This story will be updated as news is revealed around season three.
Who Is in the Season 3 Cast?
The main characters in the series Yellowjackets are Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress, Lauren Ambrose, and Simone Kessell, who play survivors of a plane crash. Also featured are Warren Kole, Sarah Desjardins (the family of Lynskey’s character), and Elijah Wood, who will appear in a recurring capacity.
The main characters of the younger versions are spearheaded by Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Kevin Alves, and Steven Krueger (who portrays the lone adult in the past narrative, as the Yellowjackets coach).
This season, we have the addition of two-time Academy Award winners Hilary Swank, Joel McHale, and Ashley Sutton (from “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”). Their characters’ details are kept secret for now.
This season’s grown-up cast list does not include our initial lead, Juliette Lewis, who graced us in previous seasons. As we move forward with the third season, it will resume immediately following the dramatic events of the season 2 finale, where her character, Nat, tragically lost her life in an accident…
Where Did ‘Yellowjackets’ Leave Off?
In the role of passionate fan Nat (Lewis), I was heartbroken when my friend and fellow survivor Misty – portrayed by Ricci in the current storyline – tragically gave me a lethal dose, unintentionally taking my life. This turn of events left viewers reeling, and it wasn’t an easy call for the creative team to write off such a prominent character as myself, who carried such strong appeal. However, my demise had been subtly hinted at since the show’s inception.
From the very beginning, the showrunners had contemplated the intriguing scene where Natalie experiences a hallucination of Misty at the party in the woods. This director and executive producer, Karyn Kusama (who handled both the pilot and season two finale), shared this insight with The Hollywood Reporter. In this sequence, under the influence of drugs, Natalie seems to see or imagine Misty staring at her from across a gathering she wouldn’t ordinarily be invited to. Kusama explained that this scene was foreshadowing a time-bending flash-forward, suggesting that Misty served as a harbinger of death for Natalie throughout the series.
Diligent fans of the series “Yellowjackets” have meticulously analyzed the initial episode and the enigmatic “pit girl” flash-forward scene, leaving many wondering: In what manner will this group of teenage soccer players eventually progress towards the ominous prediction of ritualistic cannibalism?
The second season gradually revealed the reason behind it. After an initial tribute to their deceased teammate Jackie (Ella Purnell), the end of the season demonstrated how, due to their desperate situation, the survivors ultimately chose to sacrifice Javi (Luciano Leroux) and proclaim young Nat (played by Thatcher) as the “Antler Queen” in the wilderness of 1996. This decision mirrored the tragic death of adult Nat in the current storyline.
Indeed, the pilot subtly suggested that Natalie would ascend as the Antler Queen, marking a particularly poignant turn of events in the series thus far. Kusama commented, “It was actually Natalie who became the successor to Lottie. She’s been burdened by this heavy guilt over her role. What actions has she taken?” Regarding Nat’s destiny, Kusama added, “I didn’t anticipate that aspect of her guilt. Given how deeply involved she is, she despises herself for it. This shared guilt served as a powerful connection between the pilot and the finale of the two seasons.
In their latest scene, adult Nat appeared to be on the brink of life and death, her final moments played out on an empty airplane after a confrontation with her younger self. Kusama, commenting on the varying interpretations, said, “Some believe she wasn’t ready at all, while others think she was truly prepared.” Lewis, expressing satisfaction with the ending, stated, “I felt they concluded the characters elegantly, and I appreciate good writing, so I was content to be involved.” She also hinted at a potential comeback, possibly as a ghost: “I don’t have any specifics… but I think that could be an intriguing concept. We’ll see what transpires.
Apart from the surprising climax occurring currently, the past narrative set in 1996, involving the wilderness storyline, resulted in several casualties – including Shauna’s (Nelisse) deceased newborn child. The fate of Coach remains uncertain as the teenagers suspect him for having ignited the fire that destroyed their home.
What Has Been Teased About Season 3?
In the initial preview for season three, it’s shown that the past will come back to trouble the survivors once more. The video also features someone donning the notorious cannibalistic mask, hinting at a chilling prediction made by the show creators: We can expect more instances of cannibalism in future episodes.
I can’t believe we didn’t eat them first,” young Shauna (Nélisse) exclaims as the group continues to argue about who is in charge. Fast forward to present day, the survivors, portrayed by Lynskey, Ricci, Cypress, Ambrose, and Kessell, find themselves under threat once again due to their past. “Someone wants to kill us,” says adult Shauna (Lynskey). “The only people who know about this are either us or dead,” says adult Van (Ambrose). The teaser also features a ghostly appearance of Jackie (Purnell) troubling adult Shauna. Lastly, guest star Swank makes her entry at the end of the teaser, whispering “shit” and running away from something terrifying.
Following this, we get the intense, formal unveiling of the trailer. Accompanied by Drowning Pool’s “Bodies,” it showcases a potential retribution for Coach (Krueger), an abundance of brutal encounters, and ominous wilderness horrors resurfacing, reminiscent of Tai’s alter ego.
“The only way to truly be safe is to be the only one left,” says adult Shauna (Lynskey).
What Is the Season 3 Release Schedule?
Starting February 14th, the third season will debut with two initial episodes, and then one episode will be released each week, concluding the remaining 10 episodes of the season.
The initial broadcasts of episodes will be every Friday on Paramount+, and for those with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription, they’ll also be available on demand. Following that, they’ll air linearly on Sundays at 8 p.m.
Who’s ready?
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THR‘s Yellowjackets coverage and interviews.
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2025-01-30 02:25