“Yellowjackets” isn’t exactly a show of winners and losers, though some characters fared better than others in the eventful Season 2 finale. Walter (Elijah Wood) stays winning, Kevyn (Alex Wyndham) met an unexpected fate, and we still have no idea who’s been watching Sammy (Aiden Stoxx) this whole time. Natalie, meanwhile, had a double dose of finale shockers. In the 1996 timeline, Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) is elected the new de facto leader in the wilderness after she lets Javi (Luciano Leroux) die in her stead. And in a shocking turn of events, adult Natalie (Juliette Lewis) is accidentally killed by Misty (Christina Ricci) with a fatal dose of phenobarbital.
The major Natalie twist sets up fascinating implications for Season 3. It also puts a lot of pressure on Thatcher, who now lacks an adult counterpart. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the young actress explained that she’s both sad and nervous to lose Juliette Lewis as an on-set mentor.
“I know she’ll always be a contact, but not having that immediate [mentor], everyone else has that and now I’m removed of that,” Thatcher said. “She’s given me so much confidence as a performer and an artist, and I’ll take that with me my entire life. But it will be hard for everyone to have their older counterparts and to be left alone!”
Season 3 will be a turning point for Natalie
In addition to taking on the entire performance of Natalie by herself, Sophie Thatcher is nervous to shoulder the responsibilities that come with portraying the newly anointed Antler Queen. It’s this stage of Natalie’s time in the woods, Thatcher explained, that will shape her adult self.
Prior to shooting the finale, Thatcher talked to director and executive producer Karyn Kusama, who told her, “This is the turning point. This is what makes her who she is. And, the guilt is really heavy.” Thatcher said she left that conversation excited, but also nervous for the future. Indeed, adult Natalie has been an individual plagued by her demons, addiction, and debilitating guilt. It stands to reason that those struggles will begin to manifest in young Natalie come Season 3.
“She’s going to be carrying more guilt [as the group’s leader] and she’s going to continue this journey of self-destruction,” Thatcher continued. Despite her apprehension, the actress looks forward to the challenge – even if it means acting without her mentor. “I think this is more juicy and more fun to play around with as an actor for future episodes,” she said. “So it’s ultimately exciting, besides the Juliette part.”
