“Yellowjackets” Showrunners Issue Grim Warning: No One Is Safe, Even the Adults!
In the dark and twisted world of Showtime’s “Yellowjackets,” the mantra that “no one is safe” rings truer than ever. As the series creeps into its third season, viewers are reminded that even the characters with established adult counterparts aren’t guaranteed a happy ending. Steven Krueger, who plays Coach Ben, recently shared insights with People Magazine about the producers’ candid communication with the cast regarding character fates, which has become a hallmark of the series.
From the very first episode, it was evident that this show about teenage plane crash survivors would not shy away from death. As of now, the series has seen the untimely demises of characters like Crystal, Jackie, Javi, and Coach Ben himself—whose death marked a significant turning point in the narrative, as he became the first victim of murder among the survivors, cannibalized by his peers in a shocking plot twist. Additionally, the present-day storyline has brought forth the deaths of Adam and Natalie, among others, leaving audiences to wonder who will be next to meet their maker.
Krueger candidly noted that the show’s ensemble cast was warned early on about the precarious nature of their roles. In a rather cheeky exchange, the showrunners reminded younger cast members of their vulnerability by suggesting they could take a “long walk in the forest,” hinting at their potential fates. This foreboding sentiment is echoed throughout the show, where character deaths are not just plot devices but deeply woven into the fabric of survival and moral ambiguity.
The unpredictability of character arcs is not a novel concept for Krueger, who has been part of several series where death is commonplace. He elaborated that it’s almost standard protocol to learn about character exits only shortly before filming. However, the “Yellowjackets” team made an effort to inform actors about their characters’ fates well in advance, a move Krueger found “refreshing,” even if it comes with the unfortunate reality of job loss.
As the series races toward its climax, fans are left on the edge of their seats, wondering who among the ensemble will make it through the chaos and who will meet a gruesome end. With the stakes higher than ever, the suspense continues to build, reminding us that in the world of “Yellowjackets,” survival comes at a steep price.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Collider
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
