After playing a major role in one ofYellowjacketsseason 3’s most significant turning points, Joel McHale talks about his experience dealing with the show’s secrecy. The Showtime and Paramount+ series follows the experiences of a high school soccer team that finds itself stranded in the Canadian wilderness and how their experiences follow them into their adult lives in the present day. McHale joinedthe cast ofYellowjacketsas Kodiak, one of three hikers who venture into the wilderness and encounter the soccer team during one of their most shocking moments.
As McHale sat down withScreen Rantto discussSeattle’s Best Coffee “May Smoother Coffee Bring Smoother Days"campaign, the actor opened up about his recent appearance inYellowjacketsseason 3, and how he felt taking part in one of television’s most highly secretive shows. McHale stated that he had been fearful about saying too much even after his episodes had aired as the production had been one of the most secretive projects he’s been involved with, but nevertheless praised the cast and crew for their handling of the series. Check out McHale’s full response below:
I’m scared to do press to say anything wrong. Everything was a secret, every script you get is watermarked. Obviously, that happens with a lot of things, but the speculation of the fans — I mean, I’ve been on a few things that have big fan bases that I’ve been so lucky to become part of the family for a moment, or the entire time for the rest of it.
But to walk right into a hit show like that, and with a cast that was super cool and fun, and I was like, “Wow,” everyone’s working really hard. We’re out there in the woods, and they have to protect the set from people just wandering onto it and taking parts of it, so they have to keep moving it. I’m not going to tell you where it is, it’s in Narnia! [Chuckles]
But it was one of the more secretive things that I’ve [been part of], I think The X-Files was the other one where I was like, “Oh, they’re not going to show me the as much of the script as I want to see, because they’re worried it’s going to get out.” And Yellowjackets does a great job. They did a great job, and I’m not going to tell you at all what happens. It was super fun, and they were like, “Here’s your crossbow, you’re kind of psycho.” I was like, “Great!” [Chuckles]
What McHale’s Response Means For Yellowjackets Season 3’s Final Episode
Could Kodiak Still Play A Part In The Wilderness Story?
McHale’s dedication to preserving the secrecy ofYellowjacketsis understandable, given how his arrival alongside frog researchers Hannah (Ashley Sutton) and Edwin (Nelson Franklin) had major ramifications that echo into the present-day storyline. The trio’s expedition framed the presence of Wilderness in a new light rather than being something supernatural, and even though their equipment is damaged by a mishap, the parts could offer the soccer team an opportunity to go home. However, their arrival also brought new challenges to the survivors' camp.
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After witnessing the aftermath of Ben’s (Steven Kruger) fate and Lottie (Courtney Eaton) killing Edwin, Hannah and Kodiak are brought into the camp as prisoners, with the team becoming divided on how to handle them and whether they should use them to leave. However, it would beHannah herself who would bring the biggest turn, as she suddenly stabs Kodiak in the eye when caught during an escape attempt before declaring herself eager to join the girl’s settlement. However, from McHale’s continued dedication to secrecy, there may still be a further role for Kodiak even from beyond the grave.
Our Thoughts On McHale’s Yellowjackets Season 3 Debut
The Actor’s Brief Appearance Reshaped How Audiences Look At The Series
Alongside the arrival of Hilary Swank asthe present-day version of Jenna Burgess' Melissa, McHale was one ofYellowjacketsseason 3’s most highly-anticipated guest stars, leading to speculation ranging from him playing a character with ties to Ben, or someone who finds themselves brought into the present-day murder mystery. However, while his three-episode appearance was brief, his, Edwin, and Hannah’s presence brought major twists that shook up the Wilderness storyline. As such, while McHale still had a pleasant experience, it is understandable why his appearance was one of the show’s most tightly-kept secrets.
