With Season 3 of Showtime's Yellowjackets leaving fans buzzing, actress Ashley Sutton sat down with Pop Culture Unplugged to break down her role as Hannah, the wilderness newcomer with a scientific edge, a haunted stare, and a surprising survival streak.
From joining an already iconic ensemble to slicing up corpses (for science?), Sutton opened up about what it’s like stepping into the twisted world of Yellowjackets — and why she thought the fans would hate her after Episode 9.
Stepping Into the Wilderness
“I’ve been a fan of the show since Season 1,” Sutton shared. “So just walking onto that set was surreal. The burned-down cabin, the forest, everything — it felt like stepping into the world as a fan and then realizing, ‘Oh wait, I live here now.’”
Sutton said the cast was warm and welcoming, especially since her group (Ashley, Joel, and Nelson) were the first outsiders introduced to the already tight-knit survivors in some time. “They were just so grateful to have new people on set. It was a great vibe — terrifying, but great,” she laughed.
The Scientist in the Wild
Ashley’s character Hannah is no ordinary newcomer — she’s a frog-obsessed, book-smart survivalist who isn’t just tagging along, but observing everything.
“She’s a scientist. Her brain is analytical, and I worked hard to build her backstory — her college schedule, her field research, her grant funding — everything,” Sutton explained. “That foundation helped me understand her logic, even when things spiral.”
So when Hannah ends up butchering someone? “She’s had anatomy class. She never thought she’d use it this way, but she knows how.”
That Shocking Moment in Episode 9
When asked about the now-infamous twist — Hannah killing Joel’s character — Sutton couldn’t help but grin.
“I’ve never gotten to do that before! I’m usually the one who dies,” she said. “Joel was such a good sport. It was his last scene with all of us, and we had a blast.”
She admitted she feared the fans would turn on her. “I remember walking into the trailer and telling Jasmine [Savio Brown], ‘Everyone’s going to hate me,’” Sutton said. “But they didn’t. They embraced Hannah. That’s meant the world.”
Is Hannah Just Trying to Survive — or Something More?
Fans have speculated whether Hannah is just trying to survive or if she's intrigued by the group’s dark rituals.
“She definitely has survival instincts. But there’s more to her,” Sutton hinted. “She’s not processed anything yet. She’s had so much happen in such a short amount of time.”
When asked what she’d do if Hannah pulled the Queen of Hearts card, Sutton said, “She’d run. She’d try to escape. I don’t think she’d process the danger — she’d just react.”
Theories, Friendships, and the Future
Some fans speculated early on that Hannah might be the “Pit Girl.” Sutton admitted she thought the same.
“Oh yeah. I was convinced. I was even in the hair and makeup trailer asking people, ‘So I’m the Pit Girl, right?’”
Looking ahead, if Season 4 happens, Sutton hopes Hannah can explore deeper relationships — particularly with Natalie, Melissa, and Jen.
“She’s been Team Natalie since the start. I’d love to see their dynamic grow,” she said. “And I want to see more of Hannah and Jen. They’re close, but we haven’t seen it on screen yet.”
Dream Death and Dream Casting
If Hannah were to die, Sutton has two big wishes:
“Either give me a Carrie-style gorefest — because I love horror — or have her go out sacrificing herself so the others can go home. That would do her character justice.”
And if the series ever jumps to a future version of Hannah?
“Give me Katie Holmes,” Sutton said. “She’s got that soft, grounded energy I imagine for older Hannah.”
Fan Love and Theories Galore
Despite Hannah’s dark choices, Sutton says fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.
“I thought I’d be hated. But instead, people love Hannah. That’s been incredible,” she said. “Some even thought I was Shauna’s mom, Deb Shipman — which cracked me up.”
As for what’s next?
“We’re all crossing our fingers for Season 4. There’s so much more story to tell.”
Ashley Sutton’s performance as Hannah has already become a Yellowjackets fan favorite — layered, fierce, and quietly unraveling. Whether she’s butchering for survival or breaking fan theories wide open, one thing’s clear: Sutton has made her mark in the wilderness.