Steven Prusakowski
The third season of Yellowjackets has been a wild ride – a game changer – with its final five episodes delivering some of the series’ most unforgettable moments. At the heart of this season’s chaos is Shauna, played with fearless intensity by Sophie Nélisse. Once the sympathetic underdog, Shauna has evolved into a figure fans love to hate, her actions veering into villainous territory. Yet, Nélisse remains a staunch defender of her character, offering a perspective that’s as empathetic as it is compelling, even as the fans grapple with Shauna’s dark choices.
Shauna’s arc in Yellowjackets has been traumatizing and unpredictbale, way too much to process for one person to handle with support, but even more so in the wilderness. From surviving a plane crash to enduring a gut-wrenching miscarriage and, of course, resorting to cannibalism. Eating a friend or two probably was not on her to do list for the year… or lifetime. Season 3, marks a stark shift, with Shauna embracing a feral, vengeful edge, culminating in her ascension as the Antler Queen.
Her actions, often ruthless, have sparked heated debates among fans, many of whom have turned on her. But Nélisse isn’t fazed by the backlash. “I don’t take it personally. I’m just doing what’s written for me,” she says, brushing off the hate with a calm professionalism that underscores her commitment to the role.
In our recent conversation, Nélisse delved into the complexities of Shauna’s evolution, revealing a deep understanding of her character’s motivations. “The beauty of it is that even though she’s so dark and so mean this season, because you have all of her backstory and because they’ve crafted those elements so beautifully beforehand, you really get an insight on the reason behind why she’s doing the things that she’s doing this season,” she explains. “And to some extent, I still feel very empathetic for her. And I still relate to her. And I still can understand where she comes from. And it doesn’t make her actions more okay. But, I think that you find her in the third season, having undergone so much trauma. And I think that anyone in that situation that has no tools, no one in her surroundings to help her cope in a healthy manner, like, what do you expect?”
Nélisse’s empathy for Shauna stems from the character’s layered history. The trauma of the wilderness, compounded by loss and betrayal of Jackie (whom she also consumed), has left Shauna lost. Nélisse sees Shauna’s villainy not as a betrayal of her character but as a natural response to her extreme circumstances. “She’s kind of just doing the best she can with everything that she’s been through,” Nélisse adds, highlighting the human fragility beneath Shauna’s hardened exterior.
Playing such a polarizing character has been a thrilling challenge for Nélisse, who relishes the opportunity to explore Shauna’s darker aspects. “It’s been such a treat. I feel like I’ve been able to rediscover a new character every season, and she’s shown me so many different colors and facets,” she reflects. “And then this season to go 180 and then just be completely feral and mean. But yeah, I love how it ties in with older Shauna as well because they’ve kind of incorporated a lot of almost like dark humor into Shauna’s lines.” The connection to Melanie Lynskey’s older Shauna has .
Despite her actions this season, Nélisse remains hopeful about Shauna chance at redemption. “I think there is a path for redemption. None of us are unsolvable. None of us are unfixable,” she asserts, suggesting that with the right resources, Shauna could find her way back. She won’t be taking the family to Disney World, but maybe some apologies could happen.
As Yellowjackets heads toward its recently fourth season, Nélisse’s performance continues to captivate, adding new layers and depth to the emotional a trauma-filled journey.
Watch the full interview with Sophie below. Yellowjackets is now streaming on Paramount+.
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