As Yellowjackets returns for its highly anticipated third season on Paramount+ and Showtime, the stakes have never been higher, both for the stranded soccer team in the wilderness and for the audience attempting to decode the psyche of Teen Misty Quigley.
While the series is known for its ensemble cast and shocking twists, Hanratty’s portrayal of Misty has emerged as a standout performance, balancing a desperate need for connection with a terrifying resourcefulness. In a recent correspondence, we spoke with Hanratty about the emotional toll of the new season, the complexity of playing an unhinged character, and why Misty feels like home.
Eric: First, how does it feel to return to the world of Yellowjackets for Season 3?
Samantha Hanratty: Honestly? It feels like coming home, if your home is haunted and emotionally intense. This cast is family at this point. We’ve been through so much together, both on and off set. Every season feels bigger, darker, and somehow more personal.
Eric: Misty has evolved into one of television’s most fascinating wild cards. She is chaotic, often dangerous, yet strangely sympathetic. How do you view her trajectory now?
Hanratty: I think Misty just desperately wants a connection. That is the root of everything she does, even the really messed-up actions. She is smart, she is resourceful, and she feels overlooked. When you play her from that place, rather than just thinking “she’s crazy”, it actually makes sense. Terrifying sense, but still.
Eric: Did the production of Season 3 present any specific surprises or challenges for you as an actor?
Hanratty: The emotional weight was surprising. There are moments this season where you just sit with things longer; it isn’t all shock value. There is grief, guilt, and these quiet beats that really land. I remember finishing certain scenes and just needing a minute to decompress afterward.
Samantha Hanratty as Teen Misty in Yellowjackets Season 3
Eric: Given that intensity, do you have a specific process for detaching from the character after filming wraps for the day?
Hanratty: Music helps significantly. I’ll blast something totally opposite to the show’s tone, like early 2000s pop, on the drive home. Also, my dogs are a huge help. They don’t care if I’ve been pretending to survive in the woods all day; they just want snacks.
Interviewer: Audiences have responded to how fearless you are in this role. Is there a sense of freedom in playing a character who is so unconcerned with social norms?
Hanratty: Completely. There is something really liberating about not needing to be “likable.” Misty doesn’t apologize for who she is. As an actor, that gives you permission to go big, to be awkward, and to be emotionally raw. It’s a form of therapy.
Eric: How would you describe the atmosphere on set this season? Has the tone shifted?
Hanratty: It is still dark, but there is more trust now. Everyone feels safe taking risks. We joke a lot between takes because otherwise, the material would be too heavy to sustain. There is a lot of gallows humor; you kind of have to laugh to get through it.
Eric: You have been acting since childhood. Did you ever anticipate your career pivoting toward this kind of dark, psychological material?
Hanratty: Not at all. I thought I would be doing rom-com best friend roles forever. But I love that my career has taken this turn into darker, stranger territory. It feels more authentic to me.
Eric: What is a misconception people might have about working on a horror-drama like this?
Hanratty: That it’s just physical. It’s exhausting. People think it’s all screaming and running, but it is actually very emotional. You are constantly in survival mode mentally. By the end of a shoot week, everyone is physically and mentally wiped.
Yellowjackets Season 3 Promotional Still
Interviewer: Outside of the production, how are you spending your downtime?
Hanratty: It’s very low-key, in the best way. Cooking, watching comfort shows, walking my dogs, and trying new coffee places. I’ve also been getting into journaling. It sounds cliché, but it helps process everything.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, are you thinking about what follows Yellowjackets?
Hanratty: I am open. I would love to explore more indie films or something totally unexpected. But right now, I am really grateful to be part of a project that people genuinely care about. That kind of engagement doesn’t happen every day.
Interviewer: Finally, if you could offer Misty one piece of advice, what would it be?
Hanratty: Maybe, “You don’t have to manipulate people to be loved.” She wouldn’t listen, but I’d try.
Yellowjackets Season 3 is currently streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime.
