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

Though the show was delayed throughout most of 2023 due to the Hollywood strikes, the latest news finds Yellowjackets season 3 get a writing update. Series co-creator Ashley Lyle spoke candidly about the upcoming season, and though little was revealed, it's clear that work is progressing on the third outing. “We’re deep in the writing," Lyle said, "We’re having so much fun and are very excited about it.” As more award attention is lavished on the series in early 2024, more details will eventually emerge about Yellowjackets season 3.

The WGA strike spanned from May to September 2023, while the SAG/AFTRA strike spanned from July to November 2023.

In even more news regarding the upcoming season, a tentative release window for Yellowjackets season 3 has been revealed. While it may not be the update that fans want to hear, it has now been confirmed that the third season will not arrive until 2025. This lengthy delay is likely due to the aforementioned strikes which delayed production throughout all of 2023.

In a more positive update regarding the show's production, Yellowjackets season 3 has been given a filming update that suggests production will get underway soon. Misty actor Samantha Hanratty spoke candidly about the upcoming third season in a recent red-carpet interview when she said "We're not filming yet. We’re going back very soon". She also teased that season 3 will deal with the fallout of the destruction of the cabin seen in the season 2 finale.

Yellowjackets Season 3 Confirmed

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 3 Production Status

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, so the earliest season 3 could be expected would be August or September 2024. However, the WGA writer's strike might have extended this timeline. 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 could not resume 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 Story Details

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?

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:

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  Yellowjackets

  Summary:

  Part survival epic, part psychological horror and part coming-of-age drama, this is the story of a team of wildly talented high school girls' soccer players who survive a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together 25 years later. What began in the wilderness is far from over.

  Release Date:

  2021-11-14

  Cast:

  Juliette Lewis, Sophie Thatcher, Warren Kole, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Tawny Cypress, Steven Krueger, Christina Ricci, Ella Purnell, Sammi Hanratty, Sophie Nélisse, Melanie Lynskey

  Genres:

  Horror, Mystery, Drama

  Seasons:

  2

  Rating:

  TV-MA

  Writers:

  Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

  Network:

  Showtime

  Streaming Service(s):

  Paramount+ with Showtime

  Showrunner:

  Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Jonathan Lisco