‘Yellowjackets’ Cast Talk Big New Death That They ‘Hated’

(Warning: Spoilers ahead)

The wilderness has made a choice, and another plane crash survivor is dead on Yellowjackets. Or maybe this death has nothing to do with “It.” Either way, the shocking moment this early in the third season has left the cast reeling.

Lottie (Simone Kessell) was the most evangelical about the mystical elements experienced when the then-teenagers were put to the test in the unforgiving outdoor setting. In the present, Lottie founded a wellness center with all the hallmarks of a cult, and when that was shuttered, she recuperated from a gunshot wound in a psychiatric facility. After Lottie’s release, she headed to Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) suburban home, and the Sadecki family reluctantly let Lottie stay. It wasn’t long before Lottie stepped over a line after showing too much interest in teenager Callie (Sarah Desjardins), and Shauna kicked Lottie out.

Unfortunately, Lottie has survived many things, but something (or, more likely, someone) has proved she is not immortal. Now she lies dead at the bottom of stairs somewhere in New York City, and only Misty (Christina Ricci) knows this tragic news—thanks to the “citizen detective” community. Kessell and Lynskey tell The Daily Beast’s Obsessed about their reaction to the Lottie news, shooting an emotional scene and the ghost potential.

“When I found out that Lottie [was going to die], I was on another shoot. I was in Montreal and speaking to the writing team and the showrunners,” says Kessell. “They told me, and it was a hard pill to swallow, I have to say, because I personally love Lottie.” Kessell mentions how much “wonderful feedback” she has received playing Lottie, and it seems likely that viewers will be just as heartbroken to see her depart—I know I am.

They are not alone.

“I hated it for the record. I was upset,” says Lynskey about this significant death. Shauna might be on bad terms with Lottie, but there is nothing but love between the two actors, who both hail from New Zealand. “Lottie is such a wonderful character. Simone, as Lottie, did such a beautiful job,” says Lynskey. “She’s so beloved by the fans. She’s so beloved by the crew. Probably the most beloved.”

The death tally is already high on Yellowjackets, but it doesn’t make this demise sting any less. “You carve out these characters, and you put so much thought into everything from their mannerisms to their jewelry to their walk, talk, their breath,” says Kessell. “And it took my breath away. Yeah, I had to process that.”

Some curious moments happen on Lottie’s final day, so hopefully, flashbacks will fill in the gaps. First, she leaves a bank with a slip in hand. Later, Lottie is shown practicing an apology in the mirror. To whom she is saying sorry is unclear. Also hanging out in Manhattan are Van (Lauren Ambrose) and Taissa (Tawny Cypress), who are experimenting with a deck of playing cards to see if “It” will select another victim—though they bail on this dangerous plan for a romantic carriage ride in Central Park.

Shauna also heads into the city to an animal shelter and comes home with a cat. But did she have time to make a detour to see Lottie? It remains unclear, but it is worth noting that when discussing Lottie and Shauna’s blazing row from the previous episode, Kessell and Lynskey talk as if it were a farewell—at least for them as scene partners.

“When Melanie and I got to work together in this scene, there is a beat where she’s accusing me, like, ‘What the f--- are you doing, Lottie?” says Kessell. “I just stand there, and I look at her, and something shifted between the two of us. It was like this life force.” Lynskey describes their real-life dynamic as a “very deep friendship,” contrasting their character dynamic.

Lottie and Callie have been preparing dinner while singing along to “Make Your Own Kind of Music.” Then Shauna blows. “Get the f--- out of my house,” Shauna screams at her frenemy. “Lottie takes off her apron and walks out. When they called cut, I burst into tears. Mel came through, and she burst into tears, and we were like, ‘What just happened in that scene?” recalls Kessell. “It was really kind of incredible. It was sort of like saying goodbye, in a way.” Lynskey describes this moment as “one of those transcendent, amazing moments.”

Shauna’s fury stems from Callie wearing Jackie’s (Ella Purnell) heart necklace. Yep the necklace that we haven’t seen in the present day. In the wilderness, Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) wears it after it is used to mark her as a sacrifice—before she becomes the leader. “Where did you get that?” is Shauna’s stunned response to seeing it around her daughter’s neck. “The necklace means so much to Shauna. It’s the worst possible thing, and Lottie knows what it means. For her, at that moment, it was just such a huge betrayal,” says Lynskey. “She was like, ‘Oh, of course, I knew I shouldn’t let you in, and here you are.”

Even if Shauna has nothing directly to do with Lottie’s death, she might feel guilty for kicking Lottie out. Especially as Jackie still haunts her, and it has been 25 years since her death. That’s right, this makes two Purnell appearances in a row! Shauna is locked in a walk-in freezer (who is the culprit?), and considering the cold temperature, Jackie (who froze to death) is the ideal companion. Well, except for the fact that Jackie is taunting Shauna. While Shauna wants her former BFF to disappear, Lynskey has a blast during these scenes: “They’re always trying to explore something. I love working with Ella.”

Considering the other spirits that have appeared and Lottie’s connection to the wilderness, there is a good chance we haven’t seen the last of Kessell. Lynskey has a suggestion to counter her sorrow of no longer sparring with Kessell on screen: “I would be thrilled if Lottie came back to haunt me,” says Lynskey. “Just came back and hung out in the house as a ghost.” Kessell jokes that ghost Lottie should “move things around.”

Bring on the spooky sightings! It is what the wilderness—and the audience—hunger for.