Sophie Nélisse
in
Showtime Series
Season 2
Yellowjackets
Photography Kourtney Kyung
Creative Director Deborah Ferguson
Interview Juan Marco Torres
Montreal native Sophie Nélisse stars in Showtime’s hit horror-thriller series Yellowjackets. She plays teen Shauna, a clever woman whose life changes drastically after a tragic plane accident leaves her stranded on an island, and whose adult counterpart is played by Melanie Lynskey. Although young and adult Shauna are vastly different, if we drew a Venn diagram, their inability to express their feelings until it’s too late would sit right in the middle – leading to some jaw-dropping scenes that have made each episode of season 2 a wild ride of unexpected turns. We sat down with the actress to talk about her time filming the last season, the complexities in the character of Shauna, and her beauty routine on set!
Coat: Stella McCartney, Dress: Max Mara, Bra: Kimberly Corday, Bag: Patou
Where do you like to spend more time these days? Montreal or LA?
It’s really hard for me to say. I feel very split between Montreal and LA, especially since I have a very solid group of friends in both cities. Montreal will forever be my home and it is where my family is based. When I work a lot and don’t get to see them as frequently, I always go home to Montreal to spend time with them. I do love the temperature in LA and the fact that I can go on hikes when it is November. During the summertime, I am always in Montreal because they have great music festivals, food, and just overall a great environment!
Tell us a bit about what is inspiring you at the moment.
A handful of films in the last year have inspired me in a creative sense. Triangle of Sadness, After Sun, The Banshees of Inisherin, Women Talking. These films had such strong performances which has been inspiring for me. I have been trying to get into writing and producing, so finding these little films that have inspired me is just so critical in the creative process and my life. I have also been looking at people who are living in the moment and living life slowly. Meaning spending more time with their loved ones and really focusing on the art of doing nothing which can sometimes be important in enjoying those moments of solitude and slowness.
Blouse: Patou, Tights: ETRO, Mules: Charles & Keith
Blouse: Patou
Between Shauna eating her best friend and risking her like giving birth, what did you think when you first read Season 2’s script?
I knew from the first script for Season 2 that it was going to be a great season. From that initial read, I enjoyed the script so much because it was edgy, deep, and complex. Shauna’s relationship with Jackie is complex and she feels very conflicted in trying to let her go but also holding onto the last bits of Jackie that she has. I was also surprised that we tapped into cannibalism so early in the season. I thought that really set the tone for what’s to come and I just love every episode because they just left the audience on such a cliffhanger.
Travel-Size Healthy Glow Illuminating Oil
Dress: ETRO
There are so many layers to navigate through the role of teen Shauna that require big moments such as the birthing scene. How do you navigate through the pressure when the stakes are so high?
I do not navigate through the pressure well. I was sobbing when I received the script for the birthing episode because I thought I was going to struggle with bringing the episode to life. I feel a lot of pressure when it comes to my work, not necessarily from other people but I think mainly from myself. I am very hard on myself, and I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself.
Coat: Stella McCartney, Dress: Max Mara, Bra Top: Kimberly Corday, Tights: ETRO, Bag: Patou
Longwear Nail Colour
What surprises you the most about Shauna?
I think her range of emotions is so beautiful. We have seen her tap into a lot of dark emotions during the birthing scene but we have also seen a really aggressive side of her. I love that when she is older, she is sarcastic, and she can be quite funny at times while also being very sensitive and caring.
What is it like performing opposite Melanie Lynskey who plays older Shauna?
It is extremely intimidating because she is just incredibly talented. I am in awe every time I see her on screen. She is just so complex and has this ability on the screen to do so much while doing so little. Her presence is so captivating and effortless. She has been the best lead a cast could ever ask for. She is so humble, generous, and kind. She is like my little mama bear! She will check in with me ahead of my bigger episodes or scenes to make sure I am okay. It’s been so nice to have someone that I can go talk to if there is anything on my mind.
Younger Shauna seems more confident and direct than older Shauna. Why do you think that is?
I think it is because of the circumstances. She has been stripped away from social norms and hierarchy. She was not necessarily the most confident in the first season and I think that she is slowly experiencing more confidence and coming out of her shell because of her time in the wilderness. I think she is so ashamed that she will do anything for people to like her, and I think it all comes down to lacking self-confidence. I also think she is scared of being confident and speaking her mind because when she does it leads to terrible things.
What’s the biggest difference between filming Season 2 to Season 1?
The big difference is that in S1 we weren’t sure how people would react to the show because we were walking such a fine line with the horror and the supernatural elements of it. We didn’t know how to play the feral and animalistic side of the characters. The big difference with S2 is that we could go full out and bring even more feral vibes to the characters due to the positive buzz around S1. We felt a lot more pressure on our shoulders for S2 because we had an already established fan base from S1 and we just really wanted to live up to their expectations.
Can you share about one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from being part of Yellowjackets so far?
The importance of the collaborative process. It’s my first time working on set with such a huge ensemble cast. I am always amazed at how I will come up with a specific way of seeing a scene and when we start rehearsing it, everyone is so engaged, and the scene just becomes so much better than if I just did it myself. The importance of learning from others is another big lesson since everyone has their own unique style of acting. I love to observe how others on-set deliver their skills on-set.
What’s your skincare routine like while you’re in such a demanding production?
It doesn’t change in terms of steps. I use more pimple patches because I tend to break out a little more from lack of sleep and stress. I might do a little more of an eye mask in the morning when I have early wake-up calls. I am very adamant about not skipping my routine especially when I am working.
Dress: Max Mara, Bra Top: Kimberly Corday, Tights: ETRO, Mules: IRO Paris, Bag: Patou
Coat: Stella McCartney, Dress: Max Mara, Bra: Kimberly Corday, Tights: ETRO, Mules: IRO Paris, Bag: Patou
Tell us about some of your go-to make-up/beauty products.
I don’t really wear makeup day-to-day. I feel very confident in my skin and even if I have a larger breakout, I tend to still put nothing on my face unless I have interviews or a meeting. I love to keep it super simple and fresh. A tinted moisturizer or mascara are my favorites, and if I could only have one beauty product it would be mascara because it elevates my look and makes me look more awake. I am using the rose ink concealer right now but trying to shift more towards clean ingredients and clean beauty. I have been loving beauty counter products, rare beauty for blush, and makeup by Mario. Sunscreen is so important I have been trying to use the Yuka app to find the best sunscreen!
Are any fun summer plans ahead?
I am working on a TV Show in Montreal right now, which I will be wrapping towards the end of June. I am going to go camping with my family, it’s a family tradition we go to every summer! I will probably spend my summer in Montreal, as I mentioned they have great music festivals and F1 is coming in mid-June. My friends and I love to have boat days and go raspberry and blueberry picking as well!
Dress: ETRO
Coat: Stella McCartney, Dress: Max Mara, Bra: Kimberly Corday, Tights: ETRO, Mules: IRO Paris, Bag: Patou
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