The third season of Showtime’s hit series Yellowjackets premiered to rave reviews at the Valentine’s Day premiere in Hollywood. The cast and creators spoke to Deadline about their experiences with love, trauma, and the merging of past and present storylines.
According to co-creator Bart Nickerson, one of the fundamental conceits of the show is that past and present are intertwined, with both storylines written in a present-tense narrative style. This approach allows for a seamless blend of past and present, as the characters’ experiences begin to overlap.
The season explores the aftermath of Natalie’s death and Lottie’s release from a mental health facility. Teen Lottie (Courtney Eaton) teased that the season spirals out of control, with “a lot more blood” and character breakdowns. Meanwhile, teen Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) is portrayed as “very scary and unhinged,” struggling to cope with the loss of her baby and best friend Jackie.
The absence of adult Natalie serves as a jumping-off point for Season 3, according to co-creator Ashley Lyle. The character’s presence is still felt through her absence, highlighting the emotional impact of her death on the group.
Sophie Thatcher finds it heartbreaking to play adult Natalie’s counterpart, feeling “maybe a sense of emptiness and little pressure” with the powerful presence of her predecessor, Juliette Lewis. Thatcher fills in the spaces left by Natalie, bringing empathy to the character’s storyline.
The premiere also explores the relationships between the characters, including Shauna’s fractured bond with Callie (Sarah Desjardins) and Lottie’s influence on Travis (Kevin Alves). The season delves into themes of trauma, grief, and the blurring of lines between reality and fantasy.
With the first two episodes now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, Season 3 is off to a strong start. The show’s ability to balance love and trauma, while merging past and present storylines, has left fans eager for more.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/yellowjackets-cast-creators-season-3-bigger-picture-lotties-influence-juliette-lewis-absence-1236289464