“Yellowjackets” Star Reacts to Their Character's 'Shocking' Death in Season 3 but Teases There's More to Explore (Exclusive)

Warning: This story contains spoilers from Yellowjackets season 3, episode 4.

In an unexpected twist, season 3 killed off another survivor — but not one fans were expecting to see die, especially in the present timeline.

After being released from her medical hold at the beginning of season 3, adult Lottie (Simone Kessell) found her way back to the other remaining survivors — notably taking shelter at Sophie's (Melanie Lynskey) after revealing she had nowhere else to go following the events of the season 2 finale that saw her cult-like retreat fall apart after Natalie (Juliette Lewis) was killed.

While staying with Sophie, Lottie appeared to be on the mend. But her presence rattled her former teammate, who was also not happy with her daughter, Callie (Sarah Desjardins), taking an interest in the enigmatic woman. Even Misty (Christina Ricci) failed to prevent Callie from trying to get closer to Lottie before her untimely death.

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After crossing a line with Sophie, Lottie was kicked out. And while it looked like she was in the process of finding a new source of support, she was found dead at the end of episode 4.

For Kessell, who joined as the adult version of the surviving teenager who made it out the wilderness alive decades prior in season 2, it was a genuine shock. But while speaking to PEOPLE, the actress, 49, teases that this is not the last we'll see of Lottie.

"First of all, it was shocking to find out that Lottie dies," Kessell says. "There's no other way to say it. When you hone and craft a character that you love playing with an incredible cast and then when you find out that it's no more, it's kind of — you go through all the different beats, like grieving."

"But the way she dies is then explored through the season," she then teases, explaining that "because we can, that we then get to see what actually happens. So it's a really clever way to tie in a thriller and we sort of see that in the end and what went down." 

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Kessell adds that by the end of season 3, they "really dive deep into the emotions and the backstory and the understanding of what went on."

But, admittedly, the surprise of Lottie's fate has not worn off. "It was as shocking for me, as it is for the viewers," she shares, noting that "even watching the first four episodes, you know, you're watching it, but you're like, 'Oh, that was the day that that happened.' Or, you know, for me, it takes a while to — I don't really love watching my own work  — and so I just kind of have to take some time between it."

Meanwhile, when it comes to Callie's relationship with Lottie, Desjardins, 30, says it's all about the teenager's search for the truth about what happened with her mom and the other survivors. "In terms of where the truth lies, Callie is at a loss," she notes, explaining that following the season 2 finale — including shooting Lottie in the shoulder — "there's something going on within her."

Ultimately, "I think she has ideas, she has fears of what [the truth] could be. But I think also the reality is that Callie can't even comprehend what the truth really is," Desjardins continues, adding that Callie is "determined to find it this season."

Related: Christina Ricci Says 'It Was Sad to Come Back' for Yellowjackets Season 3 Without Former Costar Juliette Lewis (Exclusive)

And because of that, she's taken advantage of Lottie being at their house, seemingly drawn to her aura and her connection to the wilderness. "Callie doesn't know that that's what it is, but I feel like with Lottie's connection to the wilderness, there's like a certain special energy about her and an openness about her. Even in season 2, I think Lottie senses this willingness to want to connect to Callie and Callie's not really sure why or like what that is," Desjardins says.

"So when Lottie enters the family's life this season earlier on, there's also almost like a familiarity that I think Callie is feeling. She's very intrigued by this energy and confused as well, but kind of drawn to it," the actress continues. "And then at the same time, Callie is seeing that openness, feeling that energy and viewing that as an opportunity and as something like, 'Oh, this person specifically may be more likely to give me all the answers that I want.' "

Of course, what happens moving forward in the wake of Lottie's death remains to be seen — but based on the cast, it's a mystery that will (hopefully) be answered before the end of season 3.

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New episodes of Yellowjackets season 3 debut Fridays on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME before airing on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

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