22-05-2025
‘I was terrified — she has an Oscar for 'Million Dollar Baby'‘: Melanie Lynskey on her epic ‘Yellowjackets' fight with Hilary Swank
Melanie Lynskey is savoring the success of Showtime's Yellowjackets. As the addictive drama continues to captivate audiences with its mix of psychological tension and survival horror, the Emmy-nominated actress shares her excitement over the show's growing fanbase.
"It's so nice that people are still excited and more people seem to be finding the show," Lynskey tells Gold Derby (watch our full interview above). "You're always nervous that things are going to take a turn and people will stop watching, so it was really lovely to hear that."
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According to Paramount, the Season 3 finale was the most-streamed in the series' history — and Season 3 of Yellowjackets was its most-watched overall. Showtime announced the series was picked up for a fourth season just days after this interview took place.
Season 3 saw Lynskey's character, Shauna, delve into darker, more chaotic territory — a turn the actress found exhilarating.
"It was fun because it felt like what the character has been building to," Lynskey explains. "From the beginning, I had the information that she's really trying to repress this side of herself. It's been fun when I've been able to let it out in little bursts. In [the first two] seasons there were little moments where it came out — but it went so wild this season. It was fun."
Though Shauna's moments of depravity take center stage, Lynskey's ability to balance drama with humor has resonated with fans. Asked whether the comedic undertones of Shauna were scripted or her own interpretation, Lynskey says, "I think she was written that way. The first time you see her in the pilot, she's ironing and watching a game show. This lady gets an answer wrong, and she's like, 'Oh, Linda, you dumb bitch.' It's funny for her to be judging Linda so harshly. Also, casting Warren [Kole], who plays my husband Jeff, and finding out he was so great at comedy — we have wonderful chemistry together. It all sort of fell into place."
Lynskey also shares some comical scenes with Christina Ricci, whose portrayal of Misty blends humor with an unnerving quality. Trust was completely lost between the two characters this season as Shauna accused Misty of locking her in a freezer and cutting the brakes to her minivan. Meanwhile, Misty was investigating Shauna for the murder of Lottie (Simone Kessell).
"I love working with Christina," Lynskey says. "She's such a professional. You're never going to be waiting around — she wants to go home, and it's just fun. She's very funny. Finally, she's coming to terms with the fact that she's extremely gifted at comedy. At first, she was quite resistant. She had a beautiful arc this season as well. She retained that humor the whole time, but there were very heartbreaking moments."
SEE Samantha Hanratty on Misty stepping 'into her own' in 'Yellowjackets' Season 3: 'She is a lot more useful than I think a lot of people give her credit for'
One of the season's most exciting additions to the cast was two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as adult Melissa. Reflecting on her experience filming the season's eighth episode, "A Normal, Boring Life," Lynskey reveals the sheer scope of preparation required.
"It was 26 pages of dialogue," Lynskey recalls. "It was her first day. No big deal! Just come sit opposite me and have 26 pages of dialogue. It's a dream as an actor. Especially on an ensemble show where I've gotten to dive into the character work a lot. To have that much time sitting opposite somebody, connecting, and playing around with it — and then for it to end in a crazy stunt was great."
When filming their epic fight scene where Shauna tackles Melissa to the ground and takes a bite out of her arm, Lynskey remembers her initial hesitation. "I was scared because the last time I had done a lot of stunt work it was in Candy with Jessica Biel. By the time we filmed that, Jess and I trusted each other so much. We had been rehearsing for so long. I knew with Jess, if I accidentally punched her in the face, she would be like, 'Keep going!' Physically, we were very comfortable."
With Swank, Lynskey wrestled with uncertainty, knowing they'd only just met. "I was terrified. I don't know what her limitations are or what she's comfortable with. I reminded myself at a certain point that she has an Oscar for Million Dollar Baby and she can take a hit," Lynskey says with a laugh. "Also, the way Clint Eastwood films, you don't get a lot of takes. It's one or two, and then you're moving on. That performance in that movie is stunning. The person who did that is going to be fine wrestling around on the floor with me — and she really was — she was up for it."
Another key moment Lynskey discusses is Shauna's reaction upon discovering a note from Melissa in the season finale, forcing her to confront her impulsive nature and the consequences of her actions.
"It's too scary for her to feel that," Lynskey says. "The thing that she likes the least is facing the consequences of her own actions. In finding the note she realizes, 'You did it again. You acted before you had all the information. You did something you can't take back.' But in the moment, she's a very impulsive person. She thinks somebody is out to get her and thinks, 'I'm going to get them first.' It's so overwhelming for her to realize how massively she's f--ked up that she literally can't — she starts to collapse and then her brain says, 'Nope,' and she goes into scary-person mode."
While discussing Sophie Nelisse, who plays teenage Shauna, Lynskey is full of praise. "She is so amazing!" Lynskey gushes. "The first couple of seasons there is so much humanity in that character and so much loss that she suffered. There was a switch this season where she can't go through anything like that anymore. She's become a very scary person. Sophie has done such a beautiful job of letting emotion through even though she's a person that's not letting herself feel anything. I just worship her. She's so good."
The three-time Emmy nominee admits to being a self-proclaimed awards nerd: "I would always look at the odds and I was always so excited for everybody. I remember years ago when Kate Winslet was nominated for her for first Oscar — calling her and us both crying. How incredible is that to have a moment where you're recognized?"
Lynskey recalls her first Critics Choice Award nomination for Togetherness, saying, "It was such a huge deal for me. I felt so seen. I know you're supposed to be cool and say, 'I don't really care. I don't pay attention.' I absolutely pay attention."
The actress, who earned an Emmy nomination for her guest role on HBO's The Last of Us in 2023, is set to appear in an upcoming episode of Poker Face on Peacock. Lynskey tells Gold Derby there's a few other shows she wouldn't mind spending some time on: Severance, Matlock, and Abbott Elementary. "Kathy Bates, I just adore. I love Severance. I love comedies. Doing an episode or two of Abbott Elementary would make me so happy."
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