Yellowjackets Season 3 has taken viewers deeper into its intense narrative, perhaps delivering its most captivating chapter yet. While Season 2 shied away from fully addressing the haunting opening pit girl scene from Season 1, it did see the characters’ descent into despair as they resorted to cannibalism. This gruesome turn was marked by the brutal consumption of the deceased Jackie (Ella Purnell) and Javi (Luciano Leroux), who tragically died while trying to save Natalie (Sophie Thatcher). In the present day, the adult survivors, now reunited at Lottie’s (Simone Kessell) wellness center, grapple with both their traumas and the suspicions that linger among them.
Despite its riveting plot, Season 2 amalgamated humorous elements—such as Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) comical failed attempt at an alibi involving Randy (Jeff Holman)—with darker themes. Young Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) facing the loss of her baby contributed to the season’s pervasive tension as the Yellowjackets turned on one another across both timelines. With escalating peril and a need for resolution from the cliffhanger ending, excitement around Season 3 grew to unprecedented heights in the television landscape.
Critical Reception of Yellowjackets Season 3
Season 3 Receives Mixed Reviews
Following two seasons of critical acclaim, Yellowjackets’ third season attracted mixed feedback from audiences and critics alike. The latest installment received a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score in the mid-80s, indicating a struggle to maintain its prior momentum. The Hollywood Reporter suggested that Season 3 feels caught between its aspirations as a mystery thriller and a character-driven narrative, failing to master either. Conversely, The Guardian commended the return of the show’s humor, which had taken a backseat in the previous season.
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The gripping finale of Yellowjackets Season 3 aired on April 11, 2025.
Cast of Yellowjackets Season 3
Returning Characters
Despite the intense finale of Season 2, many characters reappear in both past and present timelines in Season 3. The 1996 timeline features familiar faces like Sophie Nélisse as Shauna, Sophie Thatcher as Natalie, and Samantha Hanratty as Misty. In the current timeline, adult roles are reprised by Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey as Misty and Shauna, respectively.
The cast of Season 3 welcomed its first notable addition, Joel McHale from Community, who is set to make a guest appearance. Additionally, Oscar-winner Hilary Swank has been cast in a role that has the potential to expand in a potential fourth season.
Full Cast List
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Sophie Nélisse | Shauna |
| Sophie Thatcher | Natalie |
| Samantha Hanratty | Misty |
| Courtney Eaton | Lottie |
| Jasmin Savoy Brown | Taissa |
| Liv Hewson | Van |
| Melanie Lynskey | Shauna |
| Christina Ricci | Misty |
| Tawny Cypress | Taissa |
| Simone Kessell | Lottie |
| Lauren Ambrose | Van |
| Joel McHale | Kodiak |
| Hilary Swank | Melissa |
Trailers for Yellowjackets Season 3
Trailer Highlights
In advance of the show’s February 14, 2025, return, Showtime released a brief teaser in November 2024. The chilling clip begins with a wasp crawling over a decomposing skull, warning viewers, “Eat your heart out.”Although it features only brief scenes from Season 3, the suspenseful tone hints at confrontations between characters amidst the snowy wilderness.
Save room for Season 3. #Yellowjackets returns February 14, 2025 only on #ParamountPlus with SHOWTIME Plan. pic.twitter.com/tB0uwGsBoz — Yellowjackets (@yellowjackets96) November 19, 2024
A full trailer premiered in December 2024, teasing an intense blend of elements from both timelines. With a creepy past sequence followed by present-day chaos, the survivors are reminded that a mysterious assailant is targeting them. The trailer also offers a first glimpse at Swank’s character.
Link to Trailer 1Link to Trailer 2
Season 3 Ending & Spoilers
Key Mysteries Unveiled
Season 3 finally reveals the identities of the Antler Queen and the elusive Pit Girl, yet it leaves ample room for further narrative exploration. While these key revelations help to forward the overarching story and provide closure to unanswered questions from the very first episode, they also signal a surge in bloodshed as the characters approach potential rescue.
While Season 4 may lack some lingering mysteries, audiences can still expect a continuation of the show’s intense and unpredictable nature.