Season 2/Casting and development

Since the announcement of **Season 2** of the Showtime series *Yellowjackets*, the creators have provided various updates on the casting process and development of the season. This has included the addition of various new cast members, as well as various hints from the cast about the nature of the new season, and the release of promotional videos and photographs.

## History

On April 27, 2022, show creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson gave an update on the progress of the second season to Syfy Wire. They stated that they had pitched the second season to executives at Showtime for two hours, possibly more time than was needed or wanted. They also teased that there would be a number of things early on in the second season that viewers would find satisfying.

On May 3, 2022, it was revealed that the second season was set to begin in summer 2022, aiming for a probably early 2023 release. The second season has been referred to loosely by the show's staff as "The Winter of Their Discontent," as the storyline for the wilderness portion of the show will continue the storyline of the crash survivors facing the harsh Canadian winter.

On August 11, 2022, it was reported that Lauren Ambrose had joined the show's cast for the second season as the adult version of Vanessa Palmer.

On August 17, 2022, Simone Kessell was reported as having been cast in the role of an adult Lottie Matthews.

On August 19, 2022, Elijah Wood, known for his role as Frodo Baggins in the *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Hobbit* films, was cast as a new character named Walter. Walter is described as being a dedicated citizen detective who challenges Misty Quigley in ways that she doesn't see coming.

On September 16, 2022, Christina Ricci (adult Misty Quigley) teased the second season, stating that it would be even better than the first and that she had seen the first two scripts of the second season and they are "f\*\*\*\*\*g crazy."

On September 27, 2022, it was reported by Deadline that Nuha Jes Izman will join the cast for the second season as Crystal, described as "a member of the JV squad and a hard-core theater enthusiast who makes the dubious decision to bond with Misty."

On September 28, 2022, it was reported that Kevin Alves, who plays teen Travis Martinez, was upped from a guest-starring role to a starring role for the second season.

On December 3, 2022, it was reported that filming of the second season is well underway. According to Sophie Nélisse (teen Shauna), the second season contains scenes which are "graphic to say the least" and that contain things that viewers have likely never seen on TV before. She continued that "Episode 6 — it gets very intense. I read it, and I was like, very excited, and then immediately sobbed. I was talking to my psychologist, and I was like, ‘I can’t do it, I’m not good enough for this,’ and I was freaking out." Juliette Lewis (adult Natalie Scatorccio) stated that her character's story is drastically flipped, with her grappling with a newfound sobriety and desire for affection. Daisy von Scherler Mayer directed the first two episodes of the second season.

On December 7, 2022, it was revealed that *Yellowjackets* would return for Season 2 on March 24, 2023 for streaming and on demand for subscribers, with the broadcast premiere on March 26, 2023. The series was reported to still be in production in Vancouver at the time. A teaser for the second season was released at time of announcement.

On December 20, 2022, it was reported that Jason Ritter, who is married to starring cast member Melanie Lynskey, will appear as a guest star in a single episode of Season 2 in a currently unspecified role.

On December 21, 2022, Showtime released a *Yellowjackets* Yule Log video that includes possible Easter eggs regarding the future of the series.

On December 22, 2022, *Entertainment Weekly* released a first-look at Lauren Ambrose as the adult version of Vanessa Palmer.

On January 7, 2023, announcements were made on three new recurring cast members: Nia Sondaya, Nicole Maines and François Arnaud. Sondaya has been cast in the role of Akilah, replacing Keeya King, who previously portrayed the character but will not be returning for the second season. Nicole Maines will play the role of Lisa, described as "an associate of Adult Lottie, who is trying to recover from past trauma." Finally, Arnaud was cast in the role of Paul. Previously mentioned as being Coach Ben Scott's boyfriend in the first season, the character is officially described as "a New York writer and secret boyfriend of Coach Scott who reminds Coach Scott of what might have been."

On January 11, 2023, a first look at Elijah Wood as citizen detective Walter was released via the show's social media.

An official teaser for the second season was posted on January 13, 2023.

Filming for the second season for those playing the roles of the characters as seen in the 90s was reported by Melanie Lynskey to have wrapped on February 2, 2023. The cast of the adult storyline, set approximately 25 years later, wrapped filming for the second season on February 11, 2023 at 5 A.M.

On February 21, 2023, Showtime announced Camp Yellowjackets, a three-day interactive day camp experience at Austin's South by Southwest festival with Easter eggs regarding the second season of *Yellowjackets*.

## References

1. ↑ Jackson, Matthew (April 27, 2022). Yellowjackets Creators Talk "Exit Strategy," "Lost" Comparisons & Season 2. Retrieved on April 28, 2022.
2. ↑ Mendelsohn, Jon (May 3, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 to Focus on Cannibal Winter, With Production Beginning This Summre. Collider. Retrieved on May 4, 2022.
3. ↑ Bender, Brittney (August 11, 2022). Yellowjackets: Lauren Ambrose Joins Showtime Series Season 2 Cast. Bleeding Cool. Retrieved on August 12, 2022.
4. ↑ Aurthur, Kate (August 17, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 Casts ‘Obi Wan Kenobi’ Star Simone Kessell as Adult Lottie. Variety. Retrieved on August 19, 2022.
5. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (August 19, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’ Adds Elijah Wood for Season 2. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on August 20, 2022.
6. ↑ Christopherson, David (September 16, 2022). Christina Ricci Teases Yellowjackets Season 2, Vows it Will be Better Than Season 1. MovieWeb. Retrieved on September 17, 2022.
7. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (September 27, 2022). Showtime’s ‘Yellowjackets’ Adds Nuha Jes Izman In Recurring Guest Star Role. Deadline. Retrieved on September 28, 2022.
8. ↑ Rice, Lynette (September 28, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’: Kevin Alves Upped To Series Regular As Travis Martinez. Deadline. Retrieved on September 30, 2022.
9. ↑ Reul, Katie (December 2, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 Gets Even More Graphic, Sophie Nélisse Says: ‘I Don’t Think You’ve Ever Seen Such a Scene in TV Before’. Variety. Retrieved on December 3, 2022.
10. ↑ Rice, Lynette (December 7, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’: Showtime Sets Return Date For Emmy-Nominated Drama. Deadline. Retrieved on December 9, 2022.
11. ↑ Longeretta, Emily (December 20, 2022). ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 Adds Jason Ritter as Guest Star Alongside Wife Melanie Lynskey (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Retrieved on December 21, 2022.
12. ↑ Huff, Lauren (December 22, 2022). See the first look at Lauren Ambrose as adult Van on *Yellowjackets* season 2. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on December 23, 2022.
13. ↑ Bell, BreAnna (January 6, 2023). ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 Casts Nicole Maines, François Arnaud, Nia Sondaya in Recurring Roles (EXCLUSIVE). Variety.
14. ↑ Romano, Nick (January 10, 2023). *Yellowjackets* season 2 is buzzing with first look at Elijah Wood's role. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on January 11, 2023.
15. ↑ Garner, Glenn (February 3, 2023). Melanie Lynskey Congratulates '90s 'Yellowjackets' Crew on Wrapping Season 2: 'Never Felt This Level of Pride'. People. Retrieved on February 4, 2023.
16. ↑ Wynne, Kelly (February 13, 2023). Christina Ricci Reveals Production on 'YellowJackets' Season 2 Has Wrapped: 'Loved Every Minute'. People. Retrieved on February 14, 2023.
17. ↑ Schneider, Michael (February 21, 2023). ‘Yellowjackets’ Heads to SXSW With Three-Day ’Camp’ Experience (EXCLUSIVE). Deadline. Retrieved on February 22, 2023.