Yellowjackets season 3: Release date, cast and latest news

The third chapter of the gritty Paramount Plus thriller was hit by a substantial delay due to the Hollywood strikes – but the series is now set to return in early 2025.

The acclaimed series follows a dual timeline, split between 1996 and the present day, following the teenage survivors of a plane crash as they scramble to survive in the wilderness and attempt to quash their trauma decades later.

Last year's season 2 finale reunited many of the principal characters in the modern period for a climactic stand-off at a sinister wellness retreat managed by Lottie (Simone Kessell).

Tragically, one prominent member of the group didn't survive the experience, with fans eager to know how that crushing loss will change the status quo moving forward.

Well, it looks like there's plenty of action to come, if the latest teaser is anything to go by, which shows us a skull with a necklace dangling from it.

"This Valentine's Day eat your heart out," a caption reads alongside the clip, which you can watch below:

Read on for everything you need to know about Yellowjackets season 3.

Yellowjackets season 3 release date

The first two episodes of Yellowjackets season 3 will land globally on Paramount Plus on Friday 14th February 2025 (aka Valentine's Day).

Yellowjackets season 3 cast

It's likely that most of the Yellowjackets cast will return to delve into more macabre mysteries, with Melanie Lynskey (The Last of Us), Tawny Cypress (House of Cards), Christina Ricci (Wednesday), Warren Kole (The Terminal List), Simone Kessell (Wellmania) and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) among the present day cast.

Meanwhile, Sophie Nélisse (The Book Thief), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream), Samantha Hanratty (Shameless), Sophie Thatcher (The Boogeyman), Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet) are likely to return for the nightmarish flashback sequences.

Meanwhile, new additions include Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, who has joined the cast in an undisclosed role, while Community star Joel McHale has been announced as a guest actor for the upcoming season.

Here's a list of the main cast who we expect will appear in season 3:

• Melanie Lynskey as adult Shauna Shipman
  • Sophie Nélisse as teenage Shauna
• Christina Ricci as adult Misty Quigley
  • Samantha Hanratty as teenage Misty
• Sophie Thatcher as teenage Natalie "Nat" Scatorccio
• Tawny Cypress as adult Taissa Turner
  • Jasmin Savoy Brown as teenage Taissa
• Simone Kessell as adult Charlotte "Lottie" Matthews
  • Courtney Eaton as teenage Lottie
• Lauren Ambrose as adult Vanessa "Van" Palmer
  • Liv Hewson as teenage Van
• Warren Kole as adult Jeff Sadecki
• Steven Krueger as Ben Scott
• Kevin Alves as teenage Travis Martinez
• Elijah Wood as Walter
• Hilary Swank as TBC

We've probably seen the last of Juliette Lewis as an adult Natalie Scatorccio, following the character's tragic death in the latest finale. That said, we wouldn't be surprised to see a brief supernatural cameo (à la Ella Purnell in season 2).

What could happen in Yellowjackets season 3?

There's no word yet on what the plot of Yellowjackets could be.

Ricci recently revealed to Digital Spy that much of the plot had been kept under wraps ahead of filming.

"I really don't know that much," she said. "Working on the show, we kind of find out just a little bit before we film. So, I actually don't really know exactly what's in store for Misty."

Ricci continued: "Everybody on the cast, the second we get the scripts we immediately read them. No matter where I am I'll pick it up and scan.

"It's fun to be involved in something that people in general are curious and fascinated by."

Is there a Yellowjackets season 3 trailer?

Not yet – and we wouldn't expect to see one anytime soon, though we do have a very short clip (featured above).

We'll update this page when new footage does eventually arrive.

Yellowjackets season 3 will stream on Paramount Plus from Friday 14th February 2025.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.