How Two ‘Yellowjackets’ Actresses Created the Same Character, Decades Apart

In sharing a role on the Showtime series, Juliette Lewis and Sophie Thatcher took cues from each other about never going for the obvious choice.

Juliette Lewis: I first met Sophie in a big office building in Burbank before we shot the pilot [for the TV series “Yellowjackets”]. We were both like, “Oh, it’s you!” She plays a younger version of our character, Natalie, so she studied what I was doing, picking up my heaviness on set. The character is like a loaded weapon — there’s the possibility of danger at any time. Not every actor her age can make you feel that. I had that quality early on — one thing I was recognized for because of “Natural Born Killers” [the 1994 film in which Lewis played a violent fugitive] was that I could scare you. Similarly, Sophie carries herself as a rare bird because she can’t help it.

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Margaret Cho,
comedian and actress

and Atsuko Okatsuka, comedian

Naomi Watts,
actress

and Elle Fanning, actress

Wu Tsang,
multidisciplinary artist

and Klein, musician & filmmaker

Salt-N-Pepa,
musicians

and Issa Rae, actress, producer, and screenwriter

Maria Grazia Chiuri,
fasion designer

and Zadie Xa, interdisciplinary artist

Joan Baez,
singer-songwriter & visual artist

and Lana Del Rey, singer-songwriter

Margaret Cho,
comedian and actress

and Atsuko Okatsuka, comedian

Naomi Watts,
actress

and Elle Fanning, actress

Wu Tsang,
multidisciplinary artist

and Klein, musician & filmmaker

Salt-N-Pepa,
musicians

and Issa Rae, actress, producer, and screenwriter

Maria Grazia Chiuri,
fasion designer

and Zadie Xa, interdisciplinary artist

Joan Baez,
singer-songwriter & visual artist

and Lana Del Rey, singer-songwriter

Margaret Cho,
comedian and actress

and Atsuko Okatsuka, comedian

Naomi Watts,
actress

and Elle Fanning, actress

Wu Tsang,
multidisciplinary artist

and Klein, musician & filmmaker

Salt-N-Pepa,
musicians

and Issa Rae, actress, producer, and screenwriter

Maria Grazia Chiuri,
fasion designer

and Zadie Xa, interdisciplinary artist

Joan Baez,
singer-songwriter & visual artist

and Lana Del Rey, singer-songwriter

Margaret Cho,
comedian and actress

and Atsuko Okatsuka, comedian

Naomi Watts,
actress

and Elle Fanning, actress

Wu Tsang,
multidisciplinary artist

and Klein, musician & filmmaker

Salt-N-Pepa,
musicians

and Issa Rae, actress, producer, and screenwriter

Maria Grazia Chiuri,
fasion designer

and Zadie Xa, interdisciplinary artist

Joan Baez,
singer-songwriter & visual artist

and Lana Del Rey, singer-songwriter

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I was a closeted singer and dancer at her age. When I started making music at 30, it was hard to come back to acting. People were like, “No, you do music now.” And I was like, “But I’m both.” Today you can have an art show, write poetry, make music and then do your TV show. As with any young artist, it’s up to her to get out of her own way and find what she wants to say.

My mistake was believing that I wasn’t worthy, that I didn’t belong here and that I should give up. Any of those themes can manifest in destructive behavior, and you’ll have nothing at the end of that road. It’s important to develop discipline in the form of self-preservation and self-care.

The actress and singer on Billie Holiday’s rendition of “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”Lindsay Ellary

Sophie Thatcher: One piece of advice Juliette gave me was, “Finish the thought.” I’ve always suffered from a voice in my head telling me not to complete the song, or that the self-tape is bad. It’s so easy for me to fixate because I’m a perfectionist. I remember there being a change in me after I wrapped my first film, [the 2018 sci-fi movie] “Prospect.” I went home with more self-confidence and saw the power of fully immersing yourself in a world. Everything felt like art to me.

I think it’s important to rid yourself of walls that are created from fear of judgment and anxiety, to go with whatever feels right and do things that are unexpected. Juliette has helped me with that — just watching her and seeing how she never goes for the obvious choice. Some people think the art and music I reference are too dark, but I’m trying not to worry about how others perceive me. There’s a certain expectation for an actor to be a blank slate, but I’m not. I know what I’m into.

Interviews have been edited and condensed.

Production: Peter McClafferty. Styling: Dani + Emma. Lewis: Hair: Paul Norton. Makeup: Su Naeem. Thatcher: Makeup: Robert Rumsey

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Source: Television - nytimes.com

How Two ‘Yellowjackets’ Actresses Created the Same Character, Decades Apart

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