Survival, trauma, and cannibalism may fuel Yellowjackets, but let’s be real—so does its LGBTQ+ representation. From the show’s deeply queer-coded friendships to its openly LGBTQ+ characters, Yellowjackets has become a staple for sapphics, horror lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little (or a lot of) chaos. But the queerness doesn’t stop on-screen. Many of the actors themselves are part of the LGBTQ+ community or have a long history of playing queer roles and supporting the community. Let’s dive into the show’s gloriously queer cast—both in Yellowjackets and beyond.
The Queer Icons of Yellowjackets
Tawny Cypress (Taissa Turner)
Taissa Turner isn’t just one of the most compelling (and terrifying) characters in Yellowjackets—she’s also canonically queer. Played by Tawny Cypress, Taissa is a politician in a messy, fractured marriage with her wife, Simone.
But Taissa’s queerness isn’t just on-screen; Cypress herself is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has spoken openly about what the representation in Yellowjackets means to her.
In an interview with Gayety, Cypress reflected on growing up without seeing characters like Taissa and Van, saying:
“Oh, as somebody who stands under the LGBTQ plus umbrella, being a kid in the nineties, it’s everything. I wish I had representation like this. I wish I saw characters that looked like me that made loving women.”
She also emphasized how much she wants fans to connect with the relationship between Taissa and Van, adding:
“Oh, I want you guys to fall in love. The way I fell in love with her. I want you guys to see the love story that we tried so hard to honor that Jasmin and Liv created to begin with.”
Beyond that, Cypress acknowledged how rare it is to see older queer couples on TV, saying:
“It’s amazing. I mean, honestly, what we had growing up and who I saw, who I could relate to is nothing like what the new generation has to relate to. And I’m so happy for the new generation. We still have a long way to go, I know that obviously, but so happy that this new generation has a lot more representation to identify with and see themselves in.”
Between her powerful performance and her real-life advocacy, Cypress is making sure queer audiences—especially those who didn’t grow up with this kind of representation—finally get to see themselves on screen.
Liv Hewson (Van Palmer)
Liv Hewson, who plays the resilient and endlessly lovable Van, is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. In addition to being a vocal advocate for trans and nonbinary rights, Hewson has starred in multiple queer projects, including Santa Clarita Diet and Let It Snow. In 2023, they made headlines for pulling out of the Emmys’ gendered acting categories, calling for more inclusive options.
Jasmin Savoy Brown (Teen Taissa Turner)
Jasmin Savoy Brown is a force in queer media. Not only does she play young Taissa, but she’s also an out-and-proud lesbian, bringing personal experience to the role. Brown is no stranger to LGBTQ+ storytelling—she also played queer final girl Mindy Meeks-Martin in Scream (2022) and Scream VI, and starred in The Leftovers, which had its share of queer representation. Brown has spoken openly about the importance of seeing Black queer characters on screen, saying in an interview, “There’s something really powerful about seeing yourself represented authentically.”
Sammi Hanratty (Teen Misty Quigley)
Sammi Hanratty might play the delightfully unhinged Misty Quigley, but off-screen, she’s a proud bisexual woman and a vocal LGBTQ+ ally. While Misty herself isn’t explicitly queer (yet), Hanratty has been part of plenty of queer-coded moments in the series. But beyond that, Yellowjackets has played a deeply personal role in her own journey.
In an interview with Gayety, Hanratty opened up about how the show helped her embrace her identity, revealing:
“Oh my gosh, it means so much. It honestly means more than I think I knew signing onto the project. I didn’t know how this show was going to affect me the way it has, and I came out myself during season one as bisexual, and so it was just creating a space that I felt comfortable to do that, and also being okay to question parts of who I was and who I am, and that’s okay to do and it’s okay to not know too. And I think that this show is a great representation of just accepting yourself of where you’re at, and we support female rights and wrongs here.”
Hanratty’s journey reflects what makes Yellowjackets so special—it’s not just about survival in the wilderness; it’s about survival in your own skin, in your own truth. And in true Misty fashion, we do support female rights and wrongs.
Certified Allies with a History of Queer Roles
Christina Ricci (Misty Quigley)
Christina Ricci is a longtime LGBTQ+ ally who has played her fair share of queer roles. From her sapphic turn in Monster (opposite Charlize Theron) to The Matrix Resurrections, Ricci has long been a favorite among queer audiences.
Melanie Lynskey (Adult Shauna Shipman)
Melanie Lynskey has consistently championed LGBTQ+ representation, both in her work and off-screen. She played lesbian characters in But I’m a Cheerleader and I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore and has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. Lynskey has also spoken about the deep love and friendship between Shauna and Jackie (RIP), acknowledging the queer undertones in their dynamic.
Juliette Lewis (Natalie Scatorccio)
Juliette Lewis has been a queer favorite for years, from Whip It to her sapphic role in The Evening Star, but she took things up a notch in the Queer as Folk reboot. Playing Judy—the ultimate LGBTQ+ ally and mother to nonbinary drag performer Mingus (Fin Argus)—Lewis embodied the chaotic, loving, and sometimes too openhearted mom every queer kid deserves.
Lewis has spoken about how much the role meant to her, saying, “Everybody needs a Judy.” She also praised her young queer co-stars, particularly Argus, calling their performance “a whole enchilada of transformation, showmanship, and raw expression.” Whether on-screen or in real life, Lewis is the definition of a ride-or-die ally.
Sophie Nélisse (Teen Shauna Shipman)
While Sophie Nélisse hasn’t played many overtly queer roles, she’s expressed admiration for the LGBTQ+ community. And let’s be real, young Shauna’s complicated relationship with Jackie had a lot of queer undertones.
Sarah Desjardins (Callie Sadecki)
Sarah Desjardins has already played a lesbian character before Yellowjackets. She starred as Jenna Hope in Impulse, where her character struggled with her sexuality while navigating the complexities of being a teleporter. While Callie hasn’t been confirmed as queer (yet), we’ll be keeping an eye on her storyline.
Why Yellowjackets Is So Queer
Beyond its cast, Yellowjackets leans into queerness in its storytelling. The show features multiple canonically LGBTQ+ characters, explores themes of identity and survival, and thrives on the tension of intense, sometimes romantic, female friendships. It captures the chaos, longing, and dark desires that often accompany queer coming-of-age stories—just with an extra layer of cannibalism.
Yellowjackets is undeniably for the gays. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Watch our interviews with the cast below.
