In the spring of 2023, when the second season of Yellowjackets from creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson was unfolding on Showtime, there was a notable silence from them regarding their acclaimed series.
The married duo who jointly oversee the production of their coming-of-age horror TV series alongside Jonathan Lisco found themselves in the midst of their season three writers’ room when the Writers Guild suddenly instigated a work strike, which also suspended all interviews for the writing team. This historic labor conflict within Hollywood continued until September of that year, but it was long past when Yellowjackets delivered its second shocking finale. The second season concluded with the demise of another key character, this time portrayed by Juliette Lewis.
At that particular moment, everyone present (including myself) found themselves with numerous unanswered questions regarding the situation. As Lyle shared with The Hollywood Reporter during a recent Zoom conversation with Nickerson before the premiere of season three, he acknowledged it was quite peculiar to have to observe from the sidelines in silence.
After an extraordinary first season that thrust Yellowjackets and its actors into cultural consciousness, sparking countless Reddit discussions about the intriguing survival tale – fans eagerly awaited season two. However, while not universally praised, the second season saw a minor dip in its rating on Rotten Tomatoes, settling at 94%, a decrease from the exceptional 100% rating of the first season. As anticipated, the series’ cannibalism theme was fully unveiled, keeping viewers engaged throughout the journey.
Lyle explains, “During the first season, the challenge was primarily about getting the show off the ground, which is incredibly tough. In the second season, we made an effort to ignore the fact that season one might have had a greater impact than expected. However, by season three, the writers and I decided, ‘Let’s forget about pleasing expectations; let’s just do what we find enjoyable.’
The makers are cautious when faced with questions hinting at spoilers (“They are very meticulous”), but they do reveal that Natalie’s demise and Lewis’ absence will shape season three, and this season aims to fill in the blanks about the characters’ past actions after their plane crash in 1996, which left them traumatized in the current timeline. In other words, season three will show us how the teenage characters evolved into adults, providing more insights into their experiences while stranded in the wilderness following the plane crash.
In the conversation with THR, they give a heads-up about an extremely intense season that left even Nickerson surprised during editing. They also emphasize that they have further plans – including that unfinished bonus episode – subject to a renewal for season four: “We still have a lot of stories to explore in various forms.
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What aspects from last season did viewers seem to really appreciate, and which choices do you feel you might have clarified more?”
This version aims to maintain the original’s intent while using simpler language and making it easier to read.
BART NICKERSON: That’s an excellent query, but I must confess I might not provide the most accurate response since I try to limit my research on the subject. The reason is not due to a lack of curiosity, but rather because I struggle with impulsivity and once I delve into it, I find myself consumed by it. So Ashley, could you kindly assist me?
ASHLEY LYLE: I’ll give it a go. One aspect of season two that truly impressed me was the exceptional performance of our young cast members. Filming wasn’t a breeze, given that it was winter and the scenes were intentionally confined and intense, which made it challenging for them emotionally since they pour so much into their roles. Their talent shone through, especially Sophie Nélisse in [the birth episode]. We always knew she was talented, but her performance left us astounded. The rest of the cast – Courtney Eaton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Samantha Hanratty, and Sophie Thatcher, among others – were all on top form. It was rewarding to see that audience appreciated their performances.
Bart and I have been discussing David Lynch quite a bit lately, as we’re both big admirers. In an interview, he once stated that “Eraserhead” was his most spiritual film. When asked to elaborate, he simply replied, “No.” We enjoy chatting about the series, but we never feel the need to explain its meaning or our choices because it seems to detract from the audience’s autonomy and their unique way of experiencing the show. So I don’t believe there’s much that we would have felt compelled to explain.
The unexpected demise of Juliette Lewis’ character, Adult Nat, came as a surprise. However, I had the opportunity to converse with your director Karyn Kusama who explained that her destiny was hinted at since the pilot – when Young Nat (Sophie Thatcher) witnessed a vision of Misty (Samantha Hanratty) at the keg party as a harbinger of death. Therefore, we had always anticipated that Nat would perish. When exactly was it decided that her death would occur in season two?
NICKERSON: I can’t recall a precise instance. Our strategy is general, and some aspects, like where things occur and the finer details, are often refined during the production process. It likely happened during the initial stages of planning for season two. It was something we had been intending to do, but exactly when it took place was determined by the specifics of the season.
JAMIE: From the very start, we deliberately set up that particular ending for our pilot; we had always anticipated this conclusion. The intrigue, as you correctly noted, lies in timing. I recall vividly when we were proposing the show… because we had a well-thought-out blueprint. Surprisingly, quite a few elements from season three were part of our initial pitches. It’s incredibly satisfying to finally execute these premeditated events. When we initially proposed the series and said, “This will happen in season three,” it seemed almost unrealistic at that point. However, planning her death was much earlier in season two, and I believe it will soon become evident to viewers how carefully it was designed to serve as a significant event, a major death, and a catalyst for the narrative in season three. As audiences watch season three unfold, I think they’ll understand more clearly how this plot twist was strategically planned.
Indeed, it was Adult Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) who unfortunately picked the Queen of Hearts card prior to Nat’s unfortunate demise (an accident caused by Misty, portrayed by Christina Ricci), during their hunting ritual. This leads me to ponder, how many hidden references do you cleverly incorporate in reverse within your series?
LYLE: We’re quite meticulous, and there are numerous subtle details that we’ve included early on, which viewers might find enjoyable as they catch them. Often, we insert these elements with the hope that they’ll become relevant later in the story or as the series progresses. You just have to include them and cross your fingers for a favorable outcome.
We take great care when creating our work, and there are many hidden details that viewers might find interesting as they watch. These details are often added with the hope that they’ll become significant later in the story or continue to develop throughout the series. We can only add them and hope for the best.
NICKERSON: We’re not a series aimed at solving every single puzzle. Instead, we focus on creating an enigma, where mystery lingers and the unknown intricately entwines around our characters. There are many unanswered questions in my ordinary existence, and I can hardly fathom that these extraordinary individuals could ever fully comprehend what’s happening in their lives.
Does Yellowjackets offer the return of characters in spirit form or through flashbacks, like Ella Purnell’s Jackie (who tragically died at the start of season two)? Could we delve deeper into the character of Adult Nat, portrayed by Juliette Lewis, or has her role on the show come to an end?
LYLE: At this moment, we haven’t devised a plan for it in season three, but we’ve left the door open. We deeply value Juliette and her character is vital to the entirety of our show’s universe. In season three, it didn’t align with our storyline. For Jackie, we utilize her lingering impact from a narrative perspective, while for Adult Nat, her absence was crucial this season. Therefore, we didn’t include it in this season, but I can assure you that it’s not something we’ve ruled out for the future.
As the third season commences, there seems to be a more playful or ‘campy’ feel to it, as suggested by the trailer. As the episode one director, Bart, can you elaborate on this? From what I’ve gathered, this season aims to connect the younger and mature versions of our primary characters, providing insights into their present-day personalities. It appears we’re enjoying ourselves more, but the fun might disappear once we uncover those secrets! What atmosphere did you aim to create for season three?
NICKERSON: To some degree, this series is like a harmonious blend of various elements, and while Ashley and I might have distinct perspectives, I’m not sure we deliberately aimed for a campier season. However, there was an underlying desire to mix things up a bit. There were challenging moments in Season 2 that left us emotionally drained, so we wanted to change the pace. Much of this transformation came from our own enthusiasm and a quest for more enjoyable, lighter experiences. Yet, this season isn’t just lighthearted; it’s also quite dark. In fact, there are scenes that I’ve encountered – some even while on set – that have left me feeling quite heavy, like, “Wow, that’s intense!” (Laughs.)
LYLE: Bart saying it’s rough, it’s rough!
NICKERSON: Yeah, so this is not like a lighter season.
LYLE: This isn’t just any ordinary season; it’s a more enjoyable one. We intentionally made it that way since it starts in spring [for the third season]. There’s an air of celebration, but there’s also a deep, hidden darkness to their actions. In our creative meetings, we often found ourselves saying, “That’s a hit!” One of our writers, Julia [Bicknell], started using this phrase frequently. At one point, Jonathan Lisco asked us seriously, “But is it a hit?” So, we made custom coasters with the question, “Is it a hit?”, which were everywhere in the writers’ room. “Is it a hit” became our motto for every episode and all the events that unfolded, so that’s how we approached this season. (Laughs.)
They’ve been stranded for a total of 19 months, meaning another winter is yet to pass before their rescue. Notably, the initial scene of the series, often referred to as “The Pit Girl” scene, occurred during the winter. Intriguingly, viewers have been curious about whether you would delve deeper into the timeline regarding their eventual rescue, hinted at in season two’s flashback. Could you share some insights about how much time this current season will cover and your plans beyond it?
LYLE: To answer the first part of the question, I don’t think we can say anything about that!
NICKERSON: Hmm, yeah.
LYLE: (Laughs.) We’re all eagerly anticipating a renewal for season four with a great deal of hope! Bart and I have been planning this since around 2018, if my memory serves me correctly. Once we receive the green light, we’ll gather our writers together and reunite the team to work on the project. Let’s see where this exciting journey takes us next!
Is there anything you can say or tease about the rescue timeline?
NICKERSON: I don’t think so.
LYLE: If we say anything, that is the tease.
NICKERSON: The most challenging aspect of conducting these interviews is that we’re so enthusiastic, we can’t help but share our excitement with you!
Is there a bonus episode in circulation that can be released whenever you choose to do so, and if so, will it make sense at any point during its release?
Is there an extra episode out there, and will it be understandable whenever it’s released?
At the moment, we’re absolutely thrilled about the upcoming season three and are dedicating most of our efforts towards making it exceptional. We’re optimistic that there’s plenty more narrative to unfold in a variety of engaging ways.
In what ways have the strikes and your life events from the gap between seasons two and three influenced the narratives you’re presenting this season?
JESSICA: Essentially, the strike provided us with a breather and some respite. Although the strike was generally tough for everyone, for us, producing seasons one and two back-to-back was incredibly demanding. Bart and I were filming in Vancouver for six months, which meant we were away from our loved ones except for our Yellowjackets crew. The work hours were insane, even though we had heard about it when we were still on staff, and we had worked long hours on all our previous shows. So, it was more about having a chance to recharge and replenish our creative resources. Some of our writers felt the same way, as opposed to plunging straight back into 100-hour weeks for months at a stretch. I believe that taking time to enjoy ourselves during the process benefited us.
NICKERSON: If I had anything to add, I’d say that you’re experiencing a period where you’re juggling many things and managing to catch some by the end of this phase, but others are intended to stay in motion for the next or following phases. Letting some of them simmer along unconsciously was incredibly beneficial.
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Starting February 14th, which is Valentine’s Day, Yellowjackets’ third season will debut with two episodes. If you’re a Paramount+ subscriber with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, you can watch these episodes on demand from the 14th. The linear premiere, however, will be on February 16th at 8 p.m. Keep updated with Yellowjackets news through THR’s coverage.
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2025-02-12 20:27