‘Yellowjackets’ Bosses on Crowning Mari the Antler Queen and Ideas for a Possible Season 4

⚠️ WARNING: This tale reveals plot points from the Season 3 finale of “Yellowjackets,” entitled “Full Circle,” currently available for streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime.

In this way, the text maintains its original meaning while sounding more conversational and less formal.

It’s Mari!

In the Season 3 finale of “Yellowjackets,” the secret identities of Pit Girl and the Antler Queen were unveiled. Mari (Alexa Barajas) tragically fell into the pit filled with stakes during a chase by her soccer teammates, revealing she was indeed Pit Girl. Moreover, it was revealed that Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) had been the Antler Queen in the pilot episode.

During the 1990s, the surviving teenagers from the plane crash find themselves battling another harsh Canadian winter in the wilderness. Their main food supply – farm animals – dies due to poisoning by Akilah (portrayed by Nia Sondaya). Facing this crisis, the group is forced to perform a ritualistic sacrifice to ensure their survival.

Van (Liv Hewson) and Taissa (Jasmin Savoy Brown), unwilling to lose another friend, secretly manipulate the deck of cards to make sure outsider Hannah (Ashley Sutton) picks the Queen of Hearts. But Shauna becomes wary of their actions and moves her spot in the circle, saying, “I’ll trust whatever fate has in store.” Consequently, Mari unintentionally draws the marked card instead, setting off the chain of events that occurred in the first episode of “Yellowjackets”.

In an interview with EbMaster, co-showrunners Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, and Jonathan Lisco talked about replicating the Pit Girl scene, envisioning Shauna the Antler Queen in contemporary New Jersey, and teasing what could be expected for a possible Season 4.

Bart, walk me through how you recreated the Pit Girl scene. Did you speak with Karyn Kusama, the director of the pilot, about her approach to that scene?

Bart Nickerson: I had lengthy discussions with Karyn while filming the pilot. Aside from being a friend, she’s been incredibly open to sharing her insights on directing in general, as well as providing guidance about “Yellowjackets” specifically.

The process is intricate yet straightforward: We’re meticulously examining each frame of our footage, then laboriously trying to replicate it. When we can’t perfectly recreate it, we strive to make it as similar as possible. To conceal any imperfections where a perfect match isn’t achievable, we manipulate the lens and angle. In essence, it’s an extremely detailed and time-consuming methodology.

What was the most challenging aspect of directing this episode in particular? There were so many questions answered in this finale.

I, as a supporter: The grandeur and ambition of this project, aiming to retrace our steps back to where it all began, aesthetically and narratively, was truly captivating. Catching up to the pilot’s beginning and creating a sense of satisfaction along with a fresh start was no easy feat. Throughout every phase – the breaking stage, scripting, shooting, and editing – the challenges were immense. Yet, we are incredibly proud of how this season, this episode, turned out. It’s big, it’s bold, and we can’t wait for you to see it!

Ashley Lyle: I’d also like to give credit to Ameni Rozsa, the author of our finale script. Throughout the entire season, we all collaborated closely. It’s truly a collective effort, but Ameni truly excelled with this script. She skillfully tied together numerous elements; she truly nailed it.

Throughout Season 3, teen Shauna keeps losing allies and, by the end, she really has no one on her side. So why don’t the other girls band together and stand up to Shauna early on? Why do they allow her to get away with so many things that she’s done this season?

As a cinema enthusiast, I’ve often pondered about the intriguing aspect of group dynamics portrayed in various shows. It’s fascinating how bullies or tyrants can exert control over larger groups, even when there are many more of us. This phenomenon seems to defy the simple logic of numbers, suggesting a complex interpersonal dynamics that transcends the traditional force-on-force equation. In some unexplained way, we, the majority, often find ourselves intimidated and submissive before a strong leader’s decisiveness, despite our numerical advantage.

In essence, many ’80s and ’90s teen movies show the underdogs, often referred to as nerds or losers, uniting against their tormentors, the bullies, and ultimately prevailing. However, it’s not typical for social dynamics or politics to follow this pattern, as I perceive it.

Many ’80s and ’90s teen movies depict the underdogs banding together to defeat their tormentors. While this may be a common theme in these films, I don’t believe real-life social interactions or politics usually play out this way.

Lyle: It’s uncertain if the group conspired to harm Shauna – to kill her – as many might find it logical. Emotionally, most of them may not have stepped over that line yet, despite it seeming plausible. They still act like teenage girls, considering they are friends and teammates. One of them displays dominance, but the notion of actually getting rid of her didn’t seem likely to them – until Melissa [Jenna Burgess], during the hunt, attacked her. I’m not sure that, prior to this incident, they had seriously considered it as an option. Additionally, Akilah played a significant role in setting the stage for such actions by poisoning the animals and thus forcing a hunt.

We finally learn that Shauna is the Antler Queen from the pilot. Was she always intended to be that mysterious character we see at the beginning?

Lyle: It’s captivating to observe the responses we’ve been receiving lately, ever since the recent episodes were released, as they spark a lot of discussions about Shauna’s portrayal as an antagonist. Many find it surprising, especially considering Melanie Lynskey’s innate ability to play sweet and kind characters. However, if you revisit the first three seasons, you might notice some hints that suggest Shauna may not be as benevolent as she seems at first glance. To us, this gradual transformation of Shauna into the embodiment of the Antler Queen – symbolizing wildness, ferocity, and a thrill for power – has been a prolonged, deliberate development.

Shauna has really tapped back into that feral side in the adult timeline. Does that mean she wants to be the Antler Queen again? And what would the Antler Queen in modern-day New Jersey even look like?

The fascinating aspect of Season 4 is its potential to delve deeper into the subject matter. Some viewers are surprised by Shauna’s dark transformation, but if you recall, she had already shown signs of this in her past actions, such as brutally killing a rabbit with a shovel. Recently, we referred to it as self-imprisonment – she was trapped in her domestic life and suppressed her impulses for years. Now, these repressed desires have been released.

Beyond just being released, she’s undergone a transformation in self-perception. Now, she can accept certain aspects as integral to her personality, which she couldn’t before. In other words, extremely thrilling!

Before Callie [Sarah Desjardins] pushes Lottie [Simone Kessell] down the stairs to her death, Lottie tells her that she is “Its” child. What does this mean for Callie, and will she have some supernatural connection — or even supernatural powers?

From My Perspective: The debate on whether It truly exists, or what It represents, remains a pressing issue. Callie’s actions are bound to have far-reaching implications beyond just the realm of the supernatural. Who am I, as Shauna’s daughter? What does it mean to have taken someone’s life? How does this define me personally, and how does it affect my bond with my family and fellow survivors? These questions will undoubtedly be at the forefront of Callie’s thoughts in the days ahead.

There has been a lot of online discourse surrounding the “Bury Your Gays” trope after Van’s [Lauren Ambrose] death, especially because Van and Taissa [Tawny Cypress] were the most prominent gay couple among the group, and many fans didn’t think they had enough time together as adults. What’s your response to those who felt that the show fell into that trope?

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d like to delve into a topic we pondered deeply in our writers’ room. Since our team predominantly identifies as queer, we were mindful and cautious about how we approached it. However, when you have a series with numerous LGBTQ+ characters, and a plotline where many characters meet their end, it becomes an inevitable aspect. It’s poignant and touching that viewers felt they didn’t get enough time together. In reality, they shared over two decades of bond, and there’s still the time they spend in the wilderness and upon their return. So, while we won’t continue to depict their love story in the present-day narrative as we move forward, the loss of Van will undoubtedly drive Taissa. She may be gone, but her memory will linger on.>

We strive to ensure our queer characters aren’t written solely for tragedy or to exploit their struggles. Their experiences are part of a larger narrative, and they will face repercussions for various actions, just like any other character.

As a passionate fan, I’m often asked, “What’s it like working with a predominantly female cast?” While it’s crucial to consider gender-related aspects when creating such a team, we always strive to portray our characters as complex individuals, irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation. Frankly, I believe that using tropes can be double-edged; they can either help or hinder the narrative. However, in our writers’ room, we are highly aware of these tropes and make a conscious effort to handle them sensitively. Hope this helps clarify!

Now that Natalie [Sophie Thatcher] has made contact with the outside world, are you planning on kicking off next season — if renewed — with a rescue and post-wilderness timeline?

Lyle: We’re considering a change of direction at some stage, but it will be important for everyone to stay tuned to find out when that may occur.

There was also supposed to be a bonus episode that aired between Season 2 and Season 3. Will fans ever get to see that episode?

Lyle: We are hopeful.

Anything you can tease about what’s to come?

Lyle: Melissa (played by Hilary Swank) seems to have disappeared, so it’s an open game now. Misty (portrayed by Christina Ricci) appears determined on her pursuit. I sense there will be plenty of excitement as things unfold.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-11 20:20