Melanie Lynskey shared a memorable moment from Season 3 of Yellowjackets, describing a scene with Hilary Swank: “I took a bite from Hilary Swank, and it was delicious. It was mashed up strawberries and sugar.”
At the Newport Beach TV Festival, where the cast won the Outstanding Drama Ensemble award, Lynskey (adult Shauna) joined Christina Ricci (adult Misty) and Samantha Hanratty (teen Misty) for a candid Q&A moderated by Gold Derby’s editor-in-chief. They discussed pivotal questions for the showrunners, the shocking deaths in the series, and predictions on who will be left standing at the end.
Initially, Lynskey was hesitant about joining the series, especially learning she would appear in only half the episodes. However, after reading the script, she was immediately hooked, intrigued by why her character Shauna behaved the way she did. Ricci was drawn to the show’s focus on trauma and PTSD, fascinated by how it explores deviant behavior.
Hanratty revealed she auditioned for the role of Natalie before being cast as teen Misty, highlighting the producers’ indecision but also her gratitude for the experience. The adult and teen characters often mirror each other, an outcome Hanratty calls “happy accidents,” reflecting shared instincts and understanding among the actors.
Now three seasons in, Lynskey says acting in the show feels like second nature, even as her character faces darker turns this season. The cast continues to process the extensive death toll, with Hanratty expressing sorrow over losing characters who were close friends, including Alexa Barajas (Mari). Ricci was particularly shocked by the death of Coach Ben, played by Steven Krueger, whom she admired deeply.
The cast holds “death parties” to honor characters who die, a tradition embraced mainly by the younger actors, while Ricci joked about the older generation’s less emotional approach.
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On the question of who is more dangerous—teens or adults—Hanratty and Lynskey sided with the teens due to their reckless abandon. Ricci disagreed, pointing out that many adults in the show have equally nothing left to lose, making both groups equally dangerous and setting the stage for intense conflict.
Looking ahead, Lynskey hopes Shauna will reunite with her estranged husband, grappling with the consequences of her actions and the terror of being truly understood and loved. Ricci appreciates Misty’s active response to trauma and looks forward to exploring that dynamic further. Hanratty is eager to see how teen Misty adapts back to society, hinting at potential “unredeemable” moments that blur lines between love and hate.
Regarding survival, Ricci predicts that Walter (Elijah Wood) will outlast all others.
Yellowjackets streams on Paramount+ with Showtime.
