Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey in Conversation: A Yellowjackets Exclusive Interview

After three seasons, Showtime’s Yellowjackets is finally bringing together Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey on screen, creating amusing moments.

Fortunately, working together is second nature for the two actresses, who have crossed paths numerous times during their respective careers in Hollywood.

“We’ve known each other for a long time. I met you back in our 20s at the premiere of But I’m a Cheerleader,” Ricci reminisced during Us Weekly’s inaugural TV-centric “In Conversation” feature. “Then we bumped into each other at SoulCycle when we were in our 30s.”

Before their reunion in Yellowjackets, Lynskey and Ricci were each other’s biggest supporters. Ricci expressed her admiration for Lynskey’s talent in Heavenly Creatures, while Lynskey took a moment to acknowledge Ricci’s significant influence on those around her.

This heartwarming exchange—timed perfectly with Ricci’s birthday—stands in stark contrast to the tumultuous nature of their characters on the show. Since Yellowjackets premiered in 2019, Lynskey has portrayed the older version of Sophie Nélisse‘s Shauna, who struggles to express her emotions after a teenage plane crash leaves the all-girls soccer team stranded in the vastness of the Canadian wilderness. In contrast, Ricci plays the quirky Misty, a role she shares with Samantha Hanratty, who desperately seeks acceptance despite being pushed away by those around her.

Check out the video above for the full conversation between Ricci and Lynskey, covering everything from memorable roles to past costar relationships, and their joint adventure on Yellowjackets. Alternatively, keep scrolling for the complete interview:

Christina Ricci: How well did we know each other before starting Yellowjackets?

Melanie Lynskey: Well, you’re Christina Ricci, so…

CR: True, but we’ve also shared a personal connection.

ML: We’ve known each other for quite a while.

CR: Since our 20s. I met you during the premiere of But I’m a Cheerleader.

ML: Yes, that was quite some time ago. I was a huge fan of your work, just so you know.

CR: And I’ve always admired yours! I loved Heavenly Creatures, and I’m pretty sure I told you that.

ML: I think you did.

CR: I certainly would have!

ML: I’ve always been a fan of yours and everything you do is amazing.

CR: [Then] we kept running into each other at SoulCycle in our 30s.

ML: What do we appreciate about each other’s work? I love everything about you; you are an incredible person.

CR: Aw, I adore you!

ML: You got pretty sentimental. It’s your birthday! You’re such a remarkable person, an amazing mother, and I admire how fiercely you support your loved ones. You’re incredibly strong, intelligent, and hilarious, always having the wittiest comments in awkward situations.

CR: Melanie is fantastic. She’s like a big sister to me, while I’m the little sister. I always look to you and ask, “Am I being inappropriate? Please set me straight.” I truly appreciate that. We click so well, and I feel completely at ease around you. You bring so much depth to a character, creating a significant impact with minimal material.

CR: You really do! A simple line can become extraordinary with your interpretation. Since Heavenly Creatures, I’ve admired your talent. I’ve even had a secret affection for Two and a Half Men because I thoroughly enjoyed your performance.

ML: That’s news to me! I appreciate that you often enjoy a glass of wine at dinner—so do I! It’s nice to bond over that.

CR: It seems like we’re all women on the show who enjoy a glass of wine together at dinner.

ML: Indeed, that’s true! Christina, how do you slip back into character for Yellowjackets each season? Is it the costume that does the trick, or perhaps a specific playlist?

CR: I think being on set, combined with the lines, the atmosphere, and the wardrobe all help me get back into character. However, when you portray a character over time, they strangely linger with you.

CR: Mel, how do you return to Shauna?

ML: At the season’s start, I often wonder, ‘Did I forget how to do this?’ I would find myself pondering, ‘What’s Misty like again?’ right before our scenes. But then it hits me—oh, right.

ML: It can feel a bit shaky, especially with the long gaps between seasons, but it also clicks right back.

CR: I will admit that returning for season 2 felt quite overwhelming and challenging. My physicality was often cited, considering I was pregnant throughout season 1. So much chatter about my waddle walk, and I couldn’t help but think, “That’s because I had a baby in me; now I don’t. How will I portray this character?”

CR: That was a bit intimidating, and I believe I overcompensated during the first few episodes. But eventually, it fell into place.

ML: The show has been compared to a gender-swapped Lord of the Flies. Are there any stories historically centered on men that you’d wish to retell with a female cast?

ML: I did a live read of Glengarry Glen Ross with an all-female cast. That was incredibly enjoyable.

CR: I can see how that would be very dynamic with women.

CR: After three years working on Yellowjackets, what stands out as unique about this project compared to your past experiences?

ML: It’s unique due to the abundance of women our age involved. It’s refreshing being in the company of so many women, and it’s consistently surprising. However, every project is its own experience.

ML: A commonality we share is starting our acting careers young. Did Cher give you any insights during the filming of Mermaids when you were just 9?

CR: She offered me endless advice. She was the person I turned to on set for guidance, like, “What’s happening now?” and she would say, “We’re moving over here because of X.” She guided me every step of the way.

CR: I recall there was a scene that required everyone to cry, and I thought, “How do I go about crying?” So I asked, “How will you cry, Cher?” She mentioned listening to music and doing a particular thing to evoke those feelings.

ML: Wow!

CR: She has this tactile approach. When she touches something, it evokes an emotion for her. Cher broke it down thoroughly for me, ensuring I understood everything, which was remarkable. She respected me as a child but never spoke down to me.

ML: That’s so sweet. Little Christina, a budding genius. I cherish that.

CR: How about you as a teenager? Did you learn anything from Kate Winslet while working on Heavenly Creatures? You both were the same age and it marked both of your first films.

ML: She had a substantial career already. For her, it was her first film, but she had done plenty of television work in England prior. I remember it being the first time I encountered the concept of headshots. She had them and I asked, ‘What’s that for?’ and she explained that you send them to fans. It made me realize I was completely green.

CR: Did you attend an open casting call?

ML: They came to my high school.

CR: Before that, were you planning to pursue acting?

ML: I always loved acting and wanted to be an actor, but everyone told me it wasn’t a real job and to find something else.

CR: I faced that too, even while starring in four films. They would say, “You need to decide on a career path.”

ML: And you were like, “I’m successful and I think I’m doing just fine!”

CR: It’s hilarious that there was an open casting call at your school!

ML: Yes, they came to our school, but I didn’t audition. It was all improvised since they didn’t want anyone to know what the project was. But I had been doing dramatic improv every week since I was about 7 years old.

CR: That’s impressive!

ML: It was something my friends and I took part in. So staging that was enjoyable and simple. Then came a real audition that felt very intimidating,

ML: but Kate was incredibly supportive. She understood things I was completely clueless about, and they gave me a full day on set to learn how to hit my marks, not look at the camera, and find my light. It was fantastic. I wasn’t there fumbling to get the scene down.

CR: But those logistical details are equally important.

ML: Yes, she was amazing. We often discuss how I play the big sister role, but in that instance, she definitely took on that big sister dynamic for me. I’ve never had an older sibling, making it all the more significant.

CR: That’s wonderful to hear!

ML: In season 3, we see Shauna and Misty spending much time together. Why do you think now is the right time for their friendship to deepen?

CR: We genuinely enjoy working together, and our connection comes naturally. Given our extensive experiences on sets, it’s so effortless.

CR: For Misty, I believe the motivation to seek Shauna’s friendship stems from the loss of her best friend. She’s on the lookout for new friendships and those who are relatable. Since Taissa and Van are occupied in their own worlds, Misty finds Shauna to be a more approachable option for building a new bond.