The following article contains SPOILERS for Yellowjackets season 2, including the finale.With season 2 over, anticipation for Yellowjackets season 3 is higher than ever — the new season has been confirmed, and who will the wilderness choose next? Though Yellowjackets season 2 didn’t catch up to the infamous pit girl scene teased in the opening of season 1, it did see the survivors succumb to cannibalism in the 1996 timeline, first by eating the already dead Jackie (Ella Purnell), then Javi (Luciano Leroux), who died trying to save Natalie (Sophie Thatcher). In the present, the adult Yellowjackets reunited at Lottie’s (Simone Kessell) wellness center where they confront the wilderness and each other.
While Yellowjackets season 2 had comedic moments — like Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) bungled attempt at convincing the police she was having an affair with Randy (Jeff Holman) — it was also full of darkness. Young Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) lost her baby while the Yellowjackets turned on each other, both in the past and present timelines. With tensions getting higher, bodies piling up, and everything the Yellowjackets season 2 ending needs to explain, all eyes are on Yellowjackets season 3 and any clues about what will happen.
Yellowjackets Season 3 Latest News
A Second Season 3 Trailer Has Been Revealed
Not long after the first full-length trailer arrived, the latest news came in the form of a second full trailer for Yellowjackets season 3. The new trailer puts a lot of emphasis on the violent madness that’s coming in season 3, and especially highlights the cannibalism that has loomed over the entire series thus far. Cutting back and forth between the past and present, a power struggle ensues for the girls trapped in the woods, while Misty continues to investigate the strange deaths in the present. A cameo from Ella Purnell’s Jackie is teased, but it’s unclear how she’ll fit into the story.
Yellowjackets Season 3 Release Date
The Long Wait Is Almost Over
Yellowjackets season 3 was confirmed in December 2022, a whole three months before season 2’s premiere in March 2023. The show has been a huge success, and Showtime President and CEO Chris McCarthy said that’s why they wanted to “maximize the momentum by fast tracking season 3.” Unfortunately, the wait for season 3 stretched on across 2024, but it has now been announced that the new episodes premiere on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025. This comes nearly two years after the sophomore season concluded.
Yellowjackets season 2 concluded on May 26, 2023.
There was a year-and-three-month gap between seasons 1 and 2 airing, but the WGA writer’s strike has extended this timeline for season 3. Lyle tweeted that Yellowjackets season 3 only had one day in the writers’ room before the strike was announced. The Yellowjackets co-creator supports the WGA and their efforts, so production on Yellowjackets season 3 was halted until the WGA conflict was resolved.
Season 3 of the critically acclaimed Showtime series is coming soon. Watch Yellowjackets season 1 and 2 today on these streaming services.
Yellowjackets Season 3 Cast
Which Survivors Will Return?
Despite a shocking conclusion to its sophomore season, there are still a host of characters left in both timelines of Yellowjackets that should return in season 3. The teen cast in 1996 will probably include the likes of Sophie Nélisse as Shauna, Sophie Thatcher as Natalie, and Samantha Hanratty as Misty, among several others. The adult cast in the modern day is less certain, but fans should see the likes of Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey reprise their roles as Misty and Shauna, respectively.
The ensemble for season 3 added its first new member when it was announced that Community alum Joel McHale would guest star in the upcoming season. Nothing is known about McHale’s role just yet, but his casting indicates that a star-studded supporting cast could be added to the next season. Likewise, Oscar-winner Hilary Swank has been cast in a guest role that could be upgraded if season 4 is renewed.
The presumptive cast of Yellowjackets season 3 includes:
| Actor | Yellowjackets Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophie Nélisse | Shauna |
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| Sophie Thatcher | Natalie |
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| Samantha Hanratty | Misty |
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| Courtney Eaton | Lottie |
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| Jasmin Savoy Brown | Taissa |
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| Liv Hewson | Van |
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| Melanie Lynskey | Shauna |
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| Christina Ricci | Misty |
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| Tawny Cypress | Taissa |
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| Simone Kessell | Lottie |
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| Lauren Ambrose | Van |
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| Joel McHale | Unknown |
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| Hilary Swank | Unknown |
 |
Yellowjackets Season 3 Story Details
Things Take A Turn For The Worse In Season 3
Despite Natalie’s tragic death, the Yellowjackets season 2 finale seemingly wrapped up the present-day timeline with a bow, so it’s difficult to speculate on those storylines. The Adam Martin case appears shut, and Shauna and her family are stronger than ever. However, she’s likely shaken up that her former teammates tried to kill her, and not even out of survival. Misty will have to deal with the guilt over killing Natalie, and she may lean on Walter. Taissa and Van will have to decide what to do about their relationship, and based on the way Van looked at Lottie before she was taken away, there’s still something sinister going on.
There are many details on fans’ Yellowjackets season 3 wishlist in the 1996 timeline which promises to be full of drama. Coach Ben has placed himself in direct opposition to the remaining survivors, and his ultimate fate in either timeline is still uncertain. Nat is now in charge, and she may be the Antler Queen. Antlers or not, Shauna is not pleased about Lottie’s choice of successor, as she relayed in her journals. This will likely cause conflict between the girls, and Shauna has proven how capable she is of violence.
With fewer comforts at their disposal, the girls will probably turn on each other much faster which could lead to the reveal of the identity of the Pit Girl seen in episode 1.
Misty actor Samantha Hanratty’s recent comments suggest that the destruction of the survivors’ shelter at the end of season 2 will probably accelerate the conflict. With fewer comforts at their disposal, the girls will probably turn on each other much faster which could lead to the reveal of the identity of the Pit Girl seen in episode 1. However, a Yellowjackets season 3 story tease from writer Ashley Lyle reveals the girls will be “thriving” despite the fact that they’ve lost their shelter.
Who Will Die In Yellowjackets Season 3?
The Show Has A High Body Count
Numbers are dwindling in the Yellowjackets 1996 timeline, and there are still five characters whose fate hasn’t been revealed: Coach Ben, Mari, Akilah, Gen, and Melissa. With Coach Ben on the outs and struggling to survive on his own, his days appear numbered. And based on appearance and who remains, it’s very likely that Mari is the Yellowjackets pit girl, a storyline that could show up in season 3. Among the remaining three, it would be a surprise if they all survived Yellowjackets season 3.
A complete list of the major characters who have died so far includes:
| Character | When They Died |
|---|---|
| Laura Lee | 1996 – Season 1 |
| Jackie | 1996 – Season 1 |
| Crystal | 1996 – Season 2 |
| Javi | 1996 – Season 2 |
| Travis | 2021 – Season 1 |
| Adam Martin | 2021 – Season 1 |
| Jessica Roberts | 2021 – Season 1 |
| Detective Tan | 2021 – Season 2 |
| Natalie | 2021 – Season 2 |
Yellowjackets Season 3 Trailers
Watch The Full Trailers Below
In order to announce the show’s February 14, 2025, return, Showtime revealed a brief teaser for Yellowjackets season 3 in November 2024. The short clip opens with a wasp crawling across a decomposing skull with the grim message telling viewers to “Eat your heart out.” Only a few short snippets from season 3 are shown, but they all feature characters attacking one another in the snowy wilderness.
Showtime revealed a full trailer for Yellowjackets season 3 in December 2024, and it is as tense as ever. Opening with a creepy scene in the past, the trailer quickly jumps to the modern day where the survivors are reeling from the revelation that someone is trying to kill them. While trying to sus out who would want them dead, the trailer reveals the first look at Hilary Swank’s new character.
Shortly after the first full trailer dropped, Showtime debuted a second full trailer for Yellowjackets season 3. The fast-paced and violent sneak peek highlights the violence of season 3, especially the looming cannibalism that has haunted the series thus far. A power struggle ensues in the 1996 timeline as the girls begin to question each other’s leadership abilities, while Misty investigates the mysterious deaths in the 2021 timeline. The knives come out, literally, and it seems as if no one is truly safe in the past or present.
