The Yellowjackets Cast: 10 Shocking Secrets And What We Know About Season 3 (February 2025)

The highly anticipated third season of Yellowjackets is officially set to premiere in February 2025, and the survival drama's cast remains one of the most compelling ensembles on television. This fresh, updated deep dive into the cast reveals who is returning to the wilderness and the present-day saga, and, crucially, addresses the shocking exit that will define the upcoming season's narrative. As of December 18, 2025, the remaining survivors are preparing for what the creators have promised will be the most brutal season yet, forcing the adult counterparts to face the trauma they buried 25 years ago.

The show's brilliance lies in its dual-timeline structure, requiring two actors—an adult and a teen—to embody a single, complex character. This article breaks down the main cast, their careers, and the latest news surrounding their characters as we look forward to the Season 3 premiere on Showtime and Paramount+.

The Core Survivors: A Complete Cast Biography Profile

The heart of Yellowjackets is the quartet of core survivors who make it to adulthood, plus the key figures from the wilderness timeline. Below is a detailed profile of the main cast members who anchor the psychological thriller series.

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Shauna Shipman (Adult: Melanie Lynskey / Teen: Sophie Nélisse)

• Melanie Lynskey (Adult Shauna): Born May 16, 1977, in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Lynskey is an acclaimed actress known for her portrayals of complex women. Her breakout role was in the 1994 film Heavenly Creatures, directed by Peter Jackson. Prior to Yellowjackets, she starred in the HBO series Togetherness and the film I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore. She won a Critics' Choice Television Award for her role as Shauna Sadecki.
• Sophie Nélisse (Teen Shauna): Born March 27, 2000, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Nélisse gained international recognition for her starring role as Liesel Meminger in the 2013 war drama film The Book Thief, for which she received critical praise. She also appeared in the film Pawn Sacrifice (2014).

Misty Quigley (Adult: Christina Ricci / Teen: Sammi Hanratty)

• Christina Ricci (Adult Misty): Born February 12, 1980, in Santa Monica, California, USA. Ricci is a former child star with an extensive filmography. She is best known for her iconic role as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993). Her other notable works include Sleepy Hollow and Monster. Her portrayal of the quirky, sociopathic Misty Quigley has earned her an Emmy nomination.
• Sammi Hanratty (Teen Misty): Born September 20, 1995, in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Hanratty began her career early, starring in the 2009 film An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong and having a recurring role on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Her performance as the manipulative teen Misty is a career highlight.

Taissa Turner (Adult: Tawny Cypress / Teen: Jasmin Savoy Brown)

• Tawny Cypress (Adult Taissa): Born August 8, 1976, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, USA. Cypress is an American actress known for her work in television, including roles as Simone Deveaux on the NBC series Heroes and Carly Heath in Unforgettable. As Adult Taissa, she plays a successful but deeply troubled politician with a dangerous sleepwalking alter ego.
• Jasmin Savoy Brown (Teen Taissa): Born March 21, 1994, in Alameda, California, USA. Brown is an actress and singer. Before Yellowjackets, she was known for her roles in the HBO series The Leftovers and the legal drama For the People. She has also gained "Scream Queen" status by starring in the recent installments of the Scream film franchise.

Lottie Matthews (Adult: Simone Kessell / Teen: Courtney Eaton)

• Simone Kessell (Adult Lottie): A New Zealand actress who joined the cast in Season 2 as the adult version of the Antler Queen figure, now running a wellness cult. She is known for her roles in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Terra Nova.
• Courtney Eaton (Teen Lottie): An Australian actress and model who plays the troubled teen Lottie, whose visions and mental health struggles lead to her becoming the group's spiritual leader in the wilderness. She has appeared in films like Mad Max: Fury Road and Gods of Egypt.

The Shocking Season 3 Cast Change: Who Won't Return?

The biggest news surrounding the Yellowjackets Season 3 cast is the definitive departure of a major star. This development has profoundly shifted the dynamic for the returning survivors and will be a central theme of the new season.

Juliette Lewis (Adult Natalie Scatorccio) will not be returning for Season 3. In a shocking twist at the end of Season 2, Natalie was killed after sacrificing herself to save Lisa, a member of Lottie's cult, by intercepting a poisoned syringe intended for Misty.

• Juliette Lewis's Exit: Lewis, known for her Oscar-nominated role in Cape Fear and her work in films like Natural Born Killers, confirmed that her character's death was planned by the creators.
• The Impact: The remaining adult survivors—Shauna, Misty, and Taissa—must now grapple with the loss of Natalie, who was arguably the most grounded of the group, and the circumstances surrounding her death, which was a direct result of the wilderness mentality re-emerging in the present day.
• Teen Natalie (Sophie Thatcher): Sophie Thatcher, who plays the teenage version of Natalie, will continue to be a core part of the wilderness timeline, with her character's struggle for leadership and her relationship with Travis being key plot points.

The cast, including Christina Ricci, has spoken about the sadness of returning to set for Season 3 without Lewis, highlighting the emotional weight of the loss both on-screen and off.

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Key Returning and Supporting Yellowjackets Entities

The large ensemble cast is vital for maintaining the complexity of the show's two timelines. Season 3 will continue to feature several key supporting actors whose characters are integral to the main plot lines, both in the 1996 survival story and the modern-day psychological thriller.

The following actors and their characters are confirmed or expected to return, adding depth to the narrative and increasing the show's topical authority on themes of trauma and survival:

• Lauren Ambrose (Adult Van): Joined in Season 2 as the adult version of Van Palmer, a former love interest of Taissa, whose return complicates Taissa's life and her political career.
• Liv Hewson (Teen Van): Plays the teenage Van Palmer, whose positive outlook and belief in the supernatural make her a key figure in the wilderness, especially in her devotion to Lottie.
• Sophie Thatcher (Teen Natalie): Continues to portray the rebellious and cynical teen Natalie, whose hunting skills are crucial to the group's survival in the Canadian wilderness.
• Kevin Alves (Teen Travis): Plays the only male survivor of the initial crash, whose relationship with Natalie and his own trauma are major plot drivers.
• Sarah Desjardins (Callie Sadecki): Plays Shauna's daughter, who became increasingly involved in her mother's dark secrets during Season 2. Her role is expected to increase in Season 3.
• Warren Kole (Jeff Sadecki): Shauna’s husband, whose knowledge of the survivors' secrets makes him a crucial, if hapless, accomplice. His expanded role in Season 2 was a fan favorite.
• Alexa Barajas Plante (Mari): Plays Mari, who is a strong believer in Lottie's spiritual leadership and is often seen as the most vocal proponent of the "wilderness" influence.
• Jane Widdop (Laura Lee): Although her character died in Season 1, Laura Lee remains a powerful entity in the show's mythology, representing the group's lost innocence.

Season 3 Plot Focus and New Wilderness Dynamics

With the Season 3 premiere set for February 2025, the narrative focus is expected to shift dramatically. The death of Natalie has effectively re-activated the core trio's survival instincts, forcing them to confront the "darkness" they thought they had left behind in the wilderness.

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The creators have hinted that the wilderness timeline will see a major escalation in the girls' desperation, pushing them further into the ritualistic behavior associated with the "Antler Queen" and the subsequent acts of cannibalism. The introduction of Van and Lottie as adult survivors has added layers of complexity to the present-day story, providing new perspectives on the events of 1996.

Many fan theories speculate that Season 3 will be heavily Misty-centric, exploring her past and present actions, especially following her role in Natalie's death. Furthermore, the relationship between Taissa and her alter ego, the "Bad One," is expected to intensify, impacting her marriage and her role as a state senator. The new season promises to be a deep dive into the psychological toll of survival, confirming Yellowjackets' status as a true psychological thriller masterpiece.