*Warning: Spoilers for Yellowjackets season 2 ahead*

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The next chapter of gritty Paramount Plus thriller Yellowjackets has been hit by a substantial delay due to last year's Hollywood strikes – but the creative team are now setting sights on a return window.

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.

Alas, we shouldn't expect answers anytime soon: Deadline has reported that Yellowjackets season 3 will not premiere until 2025, due to the aforementioned industry disruption.

On the bright side, with production now underway, we could be getting some juicy morsels of information in the coming months – from casting to episode synopses – so we'll be keeping this page refreshed with the latest updates.

Yellowjackets season 3 release date speculation

Shauna about to chop up a dead rabbit on her kitchen counter
Melanie Lynskey stars in Yellowjackets Kailey Schwerman/SHOWTIME

Yellowjackets season 3 is coming to Paramount Plus in 2025, according to Deadline.

The publication confirmed suspicions that the hit thriller is far behind its intended schedule due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strikes that dominated much of last year.

Indeed, co-creator Ashley Lyle tweeted back in May 2023 that only one day of pre-production was completed on Yellowjackets season 3 before the show was put on ice until further notice – eventually starting up again in September.

No indication was given of when exactly in 2025 we can expect new episodes, but with work on the show now proceeding at pace, we sincerely hope to see it back on screens in the first quarter.

Yellowjackets season 3 cast: Who could return?

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.

It's likely there will be some new additions too as the previous run added both Lord of the Rings icon Elijah Wood and Search Party's John Reynolds as amateur sleuth Walter and conniving cop Matt respectively.

Alas, 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, with the show's writers currently on strike.

However, as a grain of hope, co-creator Ashley Lyle described their first (and only) day working on the next batch of episodes as "amazing and creatively invigorating", so we're confident they'll have something good in store.

Is there a Yellowjackets season 3 trailer?

Not yet – and we wouldn't expect to see one anytime soon.

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

Yellowjackets season 3 is coming soon to Paramount Plus. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to watch now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

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Authors

David Craig
David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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