Yellowjackets Season 3: Confirmation & Everything We Know

Summary Yellowjackets season 3 has been confirmed, promising a tense battle for survival after shocking events in the season 2 finale.

The show's creators plan for Yellowjackets to run for five seasons, indicating that season 3 is not the end.

The production of Yellowjackets season 3 was delayed due to the WGA writer's strike, but it has now been resolved, and writing has begun.

The following article contains SPOILERS for Yellowjackets season 2, including the finale.With the season 2 finale airing, 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 confronted 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.

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Yellowjackets Season 3 Latest News

Filming Begins On Season 3

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After a long delay between seasons, the latest news confirms that Yellowjackets season 3 has begun filming. The wait was due mainly to the impact of the 2023 Hollywood strikes, but a recent post on Yellowjackets' official X (formerly Twitter) page showed cameras were finally rolling. Though the images don't reveal any characters, the BTS pictures give a glimpse of life for the survivors after the destruction of the cabin at the end of season 2. More production details are expected soon.

Yellowjackets Season 3 Confirmed

Showtime Was Quick To Renew The Show

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." Yellowjackets creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson have shared that their plan is for Yellowjackets to run for five seasons (via Entertainment Weekly). Lyle said they are "still on track for that", and that they "don't really see this as being more than a five-season show."

Yellowjackets season 2 concluded on May 26, 2023.

Yellowjackets Season 3 Production Status

The Show Won't Return Until 2025

Yellowjackets season 3 began production in May 2024, the first big move since the strikes concluded in late 2023.

Though season 2 concluded, there is no announced release date for Yellowjackets season 3. 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.

With all that in mind, it has now been confirmed that Yellowjackets season 3 will not arrive until 2025, meaning an even longer wait for the highly-anticipated season. Though the delay is disheartening, it does show the commitment to quality that the creators have for their program, and while the wait will be long, it will be worth it if the product is even stronger than before. Yellowjackets season 3 began production in May 2024, the first big move since the strikes concluded in late 2023.

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 presumptive cast of Yellowjackets season 3 includes:

Actor Yellowjackets 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

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.

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

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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 Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Yellowjackets is a thriller and drama television series created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson. The series stars Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, and Ella Purnell. The plot sees a high-school Soccer team from New Jersey returning home from a National Tournament in Seattle. As they make their way back by plane, there is an unfortunate crash that sees them stranded in the Canadian wilderness. Cast Juliette Lewis , Sophie Thatcher , Warren Kole , Jasmin Savoy Brown , Tawny Cypress , Steven Krueger , Christina Ricci , Ella Purnell , Sammi Hanratty , Sophie Nélisse , Melanie Lynskey Release Date November 14, 2021 Seasons 2 Network Showtime Streaming Service(s) Paramount+ with Showtime Writers Ashley Lyle , Bart Nickerson Showrunner Ashley Lyle , Bart Nickerson , Jonathan Lisco Expand