WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Yellowjackets.
Yellowjackets season three is set to be joined by A-list star Hilary Swank with Showtime keeping the details of her role under wraps.
Anticipation is at an all-time high with fans eagerly waiting to witness the fallout from the explosive events that closed out the last season, including the burning of the girls’ cabin in their youth and the accidental killing of Natalie (Juliette Lewis) by Misty (Christina Ricci) in their adulthood.
Showtime and Paramount+ subscribers are abuzz following the news that the Oscar-winning actress famed for Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby will feature prominently as a recurring guest star in the upcoming season.
The recently dropped trailer teases viewers with a fleeting glimpse of Swank, battered and wild-eyed, uttering “holy s***” before she darts into the darkness—heightening speculation about her character’s impact on the already tense story.
While it’s believed Swank will be part of the adult timeline, creators have kept mum on the exact nature of her entrance into the eerie world of Yellowjackets.
Yellowjackets fans convinced newcomer Hilary Swank will take on this ‘crucial’ role in season 3 – and it’s not adult Mel (Image: PARAMOUNT PLUS)
Yellowjackets fans have also theorised that Hilary Swank could portray Coach Ben Scott’s sister. (Image: PARAMOUNT PLUS)
Fans, taking to , have spun theories ranging from Swank portraying a dogged police detective or FBI agent delving into the chilling plane crash saga, to theorising she could be playing Coach Ben Scott’s (Steven Krueger) sister.
A dominant fan theory posits her as another survivor, possibly the grown version of Melissa (Jenna Burgess), with some suggesting a physical resemblance between Swank and the character.
But a new fan theory has surfaced, suggesting that the acclaimed actress could be portraying not Melissa but her sister in a twist of fate.
A user shared their speculation: “Maybe Hilary Swank is playing Melissa’s twin sister.
“Twins have a strong bond. Sometimes even a psychic connection. Maybe Melissa had a twin who could feel and sense what happened in the wilderness.”
“She wants revenge for losing her twin. And knows on a very deep connected twin level that the survivors ate her twin. I am a twin so reading this thread gave me the idea.”
This intriguing concept garnered approval from another fan who said: “That’s spooky…I like your thinking though. We’ve never heard if any YJs had siblings…opens up a lot of possibilities.”
Yellowjackets season three will once again see actress Jenna Burgess portray teen Mel. (Image: PARAMOUNT PLUS)
Since its inception four years ago, Yellowjackets has been known to weave elements of Greek mythology into its narrative.
Discussions among fans have pointed out that the name Melissa, meaning “honey bee” in Greek, ties back to the Princess of Crete who became a bee after mastering the art of honey collection.
It’s speculated that Melissa’s character will discover a vital food source to sustain the girls through winter.
Upon encountering this theory about Melissa’s potential sister, another user chimed in: “I’m big on the ‘Melissa will do bee s*** like her Greek Mythology nymphs twin’ but also want to bring up that Melissa the Greek Bee Nymph has a twin.
“In Greek mythology, Melissa’s twin sister was Amalthea. Both were nymphs who nursed Zeus as infants, feeding him goats’ milk.”
Reacting to this mythological parallel, the original writer expressed their astonishment: “Oh s*** that’s wild. Interesting. Thanks for sharing that info. Maybe my twin theory could be true. We shall see.”
Yellowjackets fans are abuzz with the possibility of Hilary Swank stepping into the shoes of Melissa’s sister.
The question remains: if this prediction holds true, how will her character weave into the narrative set in 2025?
Yellowjackets season three premieres on Friday, February 14, on Paramount+.