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Ashley Sutton made her debut in the series Yellowjackets during its third season, but her connection to the show predates her casting. Sutton initially auditioned for a minor role in the pilot created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson five years ago. Although she did not secure that role, the audition piqued her interest in the series, leading her to become a dedicated viewer.
“When I first auditioned, I found the material intriguing—dark yet humorous. It drew me in, and I eagerly anticipated the show’s release,” Sutton explained. “Once it aired, my friends and I would gather to discuss our theories about the unfolding plot.”
After a few years, Sutton received another opportunity to join the series, this time successfully auditioning for the character Hannah, a frog scientist studying rare mating habits in Canada. Hannah’s first appearance occurs in the sixth episode titled “Thanksgiving (Canada),” where she, along with her research and romantic partner, Edwin (Nelson Franklin), and their guide, Kodiak (Joel McHale), inadvertently discover the camp of the titular soccer team. This discovery comes just as the team members engage in a horrific feast on the remains of their coach, Ben (Steven Krueger).
The situation quickly escalates into violence. Upon their arrival, Lottie (Courtney Eaton), one of the crash survivors, kills Edwin with an axe. While Hannah and Kodiak manage to flee momentarily, they are ultimately captured and held by the Yellowjackets, who must decide their fate.
“Ashley Lyle mentioned that Hannah symbolizes humanity; she represents the stark contrast of what the Yellowjackets have lost in their humanity,” Sutton shared regarding her character’s introduction in the ’90s timeline. “Characters like [Sophie Thatcher‘s] Natalie still try to hold onto their humanity, but they have committed acts that have dehumanized them.”
This dissimilarity is further emphasized by Hannah’s own troubled adolescence as a teenage mother. Sutton points out that both Hannah and the survivors are at a pivotal stage of growth. “The Yellowjackets have also matured due to their harsh circumstances; they’ve learned survival skills and how to coexist in a community,” she explained. “Hannah finds herself meeting them at a crucial intersection of their development.”
To create a connection with her co-stars, Sutton drew upon her interpretation of Hannah’s challenging high school experiences. “I envisioned Hannah’s high school life to be atypical due to her responsibilities as a young mother. In a sense, this opportunity to engage with the Yellowjackets felt like her chance to relive and rectify those formative years, bringing her intelligence and survival knowledge to the forefront,” she remarked.
Hannah’s aptitude for survival becomes evident during the ninth episode, “How the Story Ends,” when she grapples with a moment of critical decision-making. After getting caught attempting an escape with Kodiak, who faces a tragic end at her hands, Hannah must feign allegiance to Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) to ensure their survival. “Hannah understands the need to align with Shauna to gain an advantage for the future,” Sutton stated. “Her choices reflect the urgent necessity of survival.”
However, the moment is layered with tension, as Kodiak’s insult towards Hannah triggers complex emotions within her. “His derogatory comment catapults Hannah into action, and I believe she realizes for the first time that she possesses the capacity for violence,” Sutton said. “Witnessing the darkness surrounding her, she begins to confront her own darker sides, much like the other Yellowjackets.”
Despite venturing into this darker terrain, Hannah’s primary motivation remains her desire to survive and return to her now-10-year-old daughter, Alex. In the season finale, “Full Circle,” her willingness to sacrifice for the greater good comes to light as she collaborates with Natalie for a rescue plan. “I believe Hannah would put her life on the line for the sake of others,” Sutton reflected. “She empathizes with the struggles of those around her and understands the weight of their collective suffering, despite her relatively short time in their midst.”
As of now, Yellowjackets has not been renewed for a fourth season, yet Sutton expresses hope for deeper character exploration in a potential continuation. “Hannah has barely begun to process her experiences; the rapid pace of events has left her grappling with profound losses—her life before, her child, and those around her. I look forward to seeing her journey toward understanding the gravity of her situation,” Sutton concluded.
All episodes of Yellowjackets are now available for streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Source
www.goldderby.com