If you’re as obsessed with Yellowjackets as I am, you’re probably counting down the days until Season 4 hits our screens. The Showtime series has us hooked with its wild mix of teen survival, creepy mysteries, and grown-up drama. After that jaw-dropping Season 3 finale, the show’s been greenlit for a fourth season, and fans are buzzing with questions. When will it drop? Who’s coming back? And what’s next for our stranded survivors? Here’s the scoop on everything we know so far about Yellowjackets Season 4.
When Can We Expect Yellowjackets Season 4?
Showtime hasn’t spilled the beans on an exact release date yet, but we can piece together some clues based on how the show’s rolled out before. Season 1 kicked off in November 2021, Season 2 landed in March 2023, and Season 3 wrapped up earlier this year in April 2025. Those gaps—about 16 months between seasons—give us a rough idea. The 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes threw a wrench in things, slowing down Season 3, but with those behind us, production might move faster.
My guess? We’re looking at late 2026, maybe August or September, for Season 4. Some fans on Reddit are betting on a similar timeline, pointing out the show’s big cast and tricky filming locations could stretch things out. There’s also the challenge of keeping the teen actors looking young enough for the 1996 storyline, so the team might hustle to avoid a 2027 delay. Either way, it’s gonna be a wait, so buckle up and maybe rewatch those earlier seasons on Paramount+ to tide you over.
Who’s in the Cast for Yellowjackets Season 4?
The Yellowjackets cast is a big reason we keep coming back, with killer performances in both the 1996 wilderness and the 2021 present-day scenes. While Showtime hasn’t locked in the full roster for Season 4, here’s who we’re pretty sure will return, based on where Season 3 left off.
The Survivors We Expect Back
- Melanie Lynskey and Sophie Nélisse as adult and teen Shauna. Shauna’s new role as the Antler Queen in Season 3’s finale means she’s front and center, stirring up trouble in both timelines.
- Tawny Cypress and Jasmin Savoy Brown as adult and teen Taissa. Her clash with Shauna and that creepy “Man with No Eyes” vibe suggest she’s got a big arc ahead.
- Christina Ricci and Samantha Hanratty as adult and teen Misty. Misty’s always scheming, and her move to team up with Taissa against Shauna sets up some serious drama.
- Courtney Eaton as teen Lottie. Her visions are still driving the wilderness crew, but Simone Kessell’s adult Lottie might be a question mark after Season 3’s chaos.
- Liv Hewson as teen Van. We’re crossing our fingers Lauren Ambrose returns as adult Van, though her story’s up in the air.
- Sophie Thatcher as teen Natalie. Her big moment with the satellite phone in Season 3 changes everything, so she’s a lock for the teen timeline.
- Kevin Alves as teen Travis, still navigating the group’s wild dynamics.
- Ashley Sutton as Hannah, the Season 3 newbie whose cliffhanger left us needing answers.
- Hilary Swank as adult Melissa. She was a guest star in Season 3, but her big finale moment hints she could stick around.
Yellowjackets Season 4 Potential Plot
Yellowjackets keeps us guessing with its two timelines: the teens stranded in the wilderness in 1996 and the messy lives of the survivors in 2021. The Season 3 finale, “Full Circle,” left us with some huge moments that set up what’s coming. Spoiler alert if you’re not caught up!
The 1996 Wilderness Timeline
Season 3 ended with Shauna stepping up as the Antler Queen, leading the group into some seriously grim territory. That hunt for the “pit girl” (yep, it’s Mari!) answered a huge mystery, but it also showed how far Shauna’s willing to go. Meanwhile, Natalie got a satellite phone working and sent a signal for help, which could mean rescue is close—but don’t hold your breath. The showrunners said Season 4 won’t wrap up the wilderness story just yet.
Expect tension between Shauna’s faction, embracing the wilderness’s brutal rituals, and those like Natalie and Misty pushing for rescue.
The 2021 Timeline
In the present, things are getting messy. Taissa and Misty are gunning for Shauna, blaming her for Natalie and Van’s deaths. Shauna’s journal entries in Season 3 hinted she’s unraveling, maybe even craving the control she had in the wild. Then there’s Walter, played by Elijah Wood, who’s got his own shady plans and could shake things up for Misty. Callie and Jeff are on the run after Lottie’s death, which could pull them deeper into the group’s secrets.
The big question is whether the survivors’ past will finally catch up with them. Those wilderness symbols keep showing up, and it feels like someone—or something—is watching. Season 4 might dive into how their time in the wild still haunts them, with new threats tying back to those 19 months.
