Creators Tease Dark Themes in Upcoming Yellowjackets Season Three

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — As anticipation builds for the third season of the critically acclaimed series “Yellowjackets,” co-creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson shed light on what viewers can expect. The duo were in their writers’ room for the new season when the Writers Guild of America initiated a strike, which paused all production and promotional activities effectively throughout spring 2023.

The second season concluded with a shocking twist, marking the death of a pivotal character— a development that left fans buzzing about the future of the storyline. Lyle remarked, “It was a strange experience to have to quietly watch on the sidelines.” Now, following the end of the strike in September 2023, they are ready to bring the next chapter of the story to life.

“The first season was just about getting the show made and accepted,” Lyle said during a recent Zoom call with Nickerson. “Season two elevated everything, and now with season three, our whole writers’ room decided: ‘We’re just going to do what we think is fun.’” Their decision comes amid strong viewer support, reflected in Rotten Tomatoes scores; while season one enjoyed a flawless rating of 100%, season two still garnered an impressive 94% freshness rating.

Fans can expect the repercussions of Natalie’s death to loom large over season three, bridging the narratives between the teen and adult versions of the central characters. “This season will dive deeper into what they endured after their plane crash back in 1996,” Lyle explained. “It’s going to be dark, but there will still be moments of levity.”

Nickerson emphasized the intensity of this upcoming season, saying: “There are parts that I’ve seen that are just shocking. I can’t believe what we’re doing.” While remaining tight-lipped about specifics, the creators hinted at various narrative threads from previous seasons intertwining in complex ways. “We like to plant Easter eggs throughout the series,” Lyle noted, adding that many of these threads will pay off in unexpected ways.

While addressing character arcs, they confirmed that the show is not finished with Juliette Lewis‘s character—though her absence will play a significant role in the upcoming season’s emotional landscape.

As they wrap up preparations, the writers remain excited about the challenge of satisfying both new viewers and loyal fans. Nickerson said, “We’ve set up a lot of questions in the first two seasons, but we won’t answer every single one, as that’s part of the fun—the mystery keeps the audience engaged.”

“What we created in seasons one and two was only the beginning,” Nickerson added. “We’re just as eager as the audience to see where this story leads next.”

Yellowjackets season three is set to premiere on February 16, 2025, on Showtime and will be available on Paramount+ for subscribers. The creators are hopeful for a season four renewal, indicating they already have plans that extend beyond the upcoming season. As Lyle put it, “We have a lot more story to tell.”