What happened to Juliette Lewis on Yellowjackets? Natalie's fate in the series explored

Rajan
A still from Yellowjackets
A still from Yellowjackets (Image via Paramount+)

Yellowjackets is a thriller series created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, first premiering on Showtime on November 14, 2021. The show looks at the terrible survival tale of a high school girls' soccer team caught in the Canadian wilderness following a plane crash.

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Fans of psychological drama should definitely check out the series since it combines the girls' terrible struggle for survival in the past with their complicated, sometimes sinister lives they lead in the present. The show can be streamed on Paramount+ with Showtime or Showtime's own platform.

The story follows the mysterious events after the crash, forcing survivors to do unimaginable things to survive. 25 years later, the now-adult women struggle with their psychological trauma and try to hide their dark secrets. As the series progresses, relationships change, secrets emerge, and time blurs.

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What happened to Juliette Lewis on Yellowjackets? Juliette Lewis, who played Natalie Scatorccio, tragically exits the show after her character’s death in the season 2 finale, marking a turning point for the storyline. This article explores her abrupt departure and what it means for the series moving forward.

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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from season 2. Reader's discretion is advised.


Juliette Lewis' abrupt exit in Yellowjackets season 2 finale explained

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Juliette Lewis' shocking departure from Yellowjackets in the season 2 finale left fans reeling. Her character, Natalie Scatorccio, who had been a fan favorite for her tough yet vulnerable portrayal, was unexpectedly killed off in a tragic accident.

In a heart-stopping scenario, Christina Ricci's Misty unintentionally gives Natalie a lethal dosage of phenobarbital, mistaking her for someone else. The episode was a turning point in the series since it added a layer of grief to the existing complicated relationships and emotions among the characters.

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Natalie's death and its impact on the plot

Natalie’s death had a profound impact not only on the storyline but also on the dynamics of the remaining survivors. Her absence will change the present and past timelines as a key character.

Natalie, a character with guilt and a desire for redemption, has stabilized the group throughout the series. Her death symbolizes the culmination of her personal struggles, especially survivor's guilt and wilderness trauma.

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Juliette Lewis' departure and reasons for leaving

Juliette Lewis has been candid about her decision to leave Yellowjackets after season 2. While she didn’t explicitly state her reasons, she mentioned in an interview that she typically prefers to stay with a series for only a couple of seasons.

She expressed her love for movie-making, which aligns with her career choices, and mentioned her excitement for her return to film with The Thicket. She emphasized how the shift from TV to film was part of her creative journey, revealing that the timing worked out perfectly for her.

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What Christina Ricci had to say on Juliette Lewis' absence in Yellowjackets season 3

In an interview with Variety, Christina Ricci shared her thoughts on the absence of Juliette Lewis in season 3 of Yellowjackets. Ricci, who played Misty, discussed the impact of Natalie’s death on the show and the cast. She said,

"I didn’t know until very shortly before we shot the episode. We all love Juliette. I love Juliette. We've all gone through so much on the show and gotten so close and fought and reconciled and love each other—we're like sisters."
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She also elaborated on the emotional toll of the death, adding,

"It was a complete mistake. She made an impulsive choice—another characteristically immature, impulsive, selfish choice where she was going to kill the person who was going to hurt her friend. Not wanting her friends taken away, it's about keeping what she wants."

Ricci's words reveal not just the shock of Lewis' exit but also the profound emotional weight of the storyline for the cast.

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Everything to know about Yellowjackets' production, direction, and cast

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Yellowjackets is known for its strong ensemble cast, directed by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson. The two have gotten compliments for their skill in fusing psychological horror with extensive character research.

Strong performances by each of the actresses—Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Lauren Ambrose, Simone Kessell, and Juliette Lewis—bring these characters to life and have drawn lots of compliments.

The series' storyline shifts between timelines, creating suspense. Sophie Thatcher (young Natalie) and other young actresses portray the past and present well. The show's casting, a mix of established and rising stars, ensures an emotionally moving experience.

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Plot summary of Yellowjackets

After a high school girls' soccer team's plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness in 1996, Yellowjackets explores their gloomy journey. Depending just on their instincts and growing desperation, the survivors must live a hard life free of help.

As some team members turn to violence and cannibalism in an effort to stay alive, a fight for survival swiftly turns into a downward spiral. The series also looks at the women's lives in 2021, exposing long-term psychological consequences of trauma and dark secrets they still keep hidden. The revelation of their survival secrets forces them to face the past.

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Fans have been excitedly anticipating each new episode because of the gripping storyline created by the mystery and tension between the timelines. Every season of Yellowjackets promises to unveil more nuanced aspects of the characters and their complex pasts.


Everything to know about Juliette Lewis

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Juliette Lewis, born June 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, is a well-known American actress, singer, and musician. Her performance of offbeat characters in films such as Cape Fear (1991) and Natural Born Killers (1994) brought her notoriety in the early 1990s.

She has received several honors over time, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Lewis started a solo career after first starting a musical career by forming the rock band Juliette and the Licks.

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Apart from her work in movies and music, Lewis has appeared in multiple shows. Before joining the Yellowjackets cast, she starred in many acclaimed series, including Wayward Pines and Secrets and Lies. Lewis, who has a long career, still loves her work in movies and notes her inclination for the structure and focus that movies provide.


Stay tuned for more news and updates on Yellowjackets and similar projects as the year progresses.

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