Yellowjackets Officially Recasts OG Character After 5 Years

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Be warned: This article reveals major spoilers for the TV show Yellowjackets through the end of its third season. Exciting news about the cast is giving fans a reason to look forward to the fourth and final season.

According to Deadline, Molly Ringwald, known for her roles in John Hughes’ films, will return to Yellowjackets, a show that quickly became a hit in 2021. The series captivated audiences with its compelling story about a group of women grappling with their teenage past and the aftermath of a plane crash, along with a strong cast.

The hit show Yellowjackets has added Molly Ringwald to its cast for season 4. She’ll be playing Vicky Palmer, the mother of the character Van (played by Liv Hewson and Lauren Ambrose). Vicky was originally portrayed by Deborah Vancelette in the pilot episode and hasn’t appeared since the first season. The show revealed in season 2 that Vicky died of cancer, a fate that echoes Van’s own health struggles and creates a lasting connection to her mother.

The death of Van in the second-to-last episode of Yellowjackets season 3 shocked audiences. Instead of succumbing to her illness as expected, she was fatally stabbed by another survivor, Melissa (Hilary Swank). Although this concludes her story as an adult, because the show jumps between the past and present, young Van (played by Hewson) is still alive in the earlier timeline.

As the grown-ups deal with everyday tasks like grocery shopping and the press coverage of their rescue, the teenagers face dangers like wolf attacks and harsh weather, all while feeling like they aren’t alone. Ringwald is one of the new actors joining the show, according to Deadline. Akilah, a character played by Nia Sondaya, will now be a main character, and June Squibb will also be appearing in a role that hasn’t been revealed yet.

During the first episode, Vicky briefly appears passed out on the couch while Van needs a ride to the airport. We don’t know how she dealt with her daughter’s disappearance and presumed death over the past nineteen months. But with Molly Ringwald cast in what will likely be a larger role, viewers will finally see how Vicky reacts to her daughter’s return – having miraculously survived and bearing the scars of a near-fatal wolf attack.

Season 2 suggests the already strained relationship between Shauna and her daughter, Callie, will continue to be a major focus. The show consistently explores messy and realistic family issues. A particularly moving episode in season 3 deals with the unexpected death of Lottie and its impact on her father.

Molly Ringwald is no stranger to television, and this isn’t the first time she’s played the mother of a red-haired lead character in a dramatic series full of secrets and surprises – she previously played Archie Andrews’ mother on Riverdale. Now that filming for Yellowjackets has begun, fans will be eager for any behind-the-scenes glimpses into the show’s many mysteries.

All episodes of Yellowjackets are available to stream on Paramount+.

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2026-02-26 22:02