Talking Jersey with “Yellowjackets” Stars Jasmin Savoy Brown and Liv Hewson

For centuries, we’ve seen several pairs of star-crossed lovers burn out in culture-defining stories. “These violent delights have violent ends” came from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a warning to all fictitious couples fighting for love against the odds. Fast forward to the timeless tales of Rose and Jack in Titanic, or Ennis and Jack from Brokeback Mountain. They continued the tragic trope that two people, a perfect match, may face deadly results for pursuing a destiny together. 

Finally, things are different. The finality of murder is an expectation that’s triumphantly defied time and time again in the pulse-pounding, super queer series Yellowjackets. 

I argue that no couple loves more in the face of tragedy and fights harder than any Montague or Capulet could ever dare to than the characters of Taissa Turner and Van Palmer from Yellowjackets. They’re played expertly by shining stars Jasmin Savoy Brown and Liv Hewson. 

Since season one, their growing queer relationship has endured a million battles and they always come out stronger together. As the two build a connection amidst a downed plane and eerie wilderness survival storyline, audiences everywhere are applauding the work of these impressive talents.  

The new season gets bloodily dark, devastating, and while so many other duos fall into deep despair — “Oh happy dagger!” and all that mess — Tai and Van are our queer constant: The gayest North Star in the shimmering sky!

Showtime and Paramount+ gave me a chance to chat with these talented stars, inquire about their impact on the LGBTQ community, and discuss inclusive projects like Jasmin’s new podcast, Today in Gay. 

Hi there, my name is Jonny Kandell. I’m from Out in Jersey magazine. We are the only LGBTQ magazine in New Jersey!

Jasmin Savoy Brown: Oh, Cool!

Liv Hewson: Cool.

Because your characters are from New Jersey in the show, I’d love to know what showrunners [Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson] told you about New Jersey? How did you develop the characters? Which you absolutely nailed, by the way. Very much like the friends I had in high school. 

JSB: Thank you.

LH: Oh my god, thank you.

JSB: Wow. 

LH: Thank you so much for saying that.

I’d love to know how you built these characters?

JSB: You know they did a bit.

LH: They did. We’ve had our pronunciation of some things corrected. 

JSB: Yeah.

LH: And we’ve been taken care of. 

JSB: And Tawny [Cypress] is from Jersey. 

LH: She sure is. 

JSB: So [in a very Jersey accent] Tawny gave me the low down. Was that [right], let’s ignore that. Yeah, we had a bit of advice and guidance. But I think it’s also just a testament to casting. They were good at finding people with a certain essence. And I also think you’re just flattering us a bit. I don’t think we do that good of a job at being Jersey.

I think you killed it and my group chat of Jersey friends does as well. So you definitely got the seal of approval from us. 

JSB: Thank you.

Jasmin, I’m so excited about your new podcast. Can you tell me more about Today in Gay? Cuz I will be tuning in.

JSB: Oh, I’m so proud. It’s out now. We launched Jan. 1. I had been wanting this podcast. I’d been imagining it for three years and really tried to get it made and finally just decided to make it myself, because queer people, we deserve a space to tune into every day to hear the news and the headlines that are affecting our community. And especially now, we’re deserving to hear good gay news affecting our community. So every day we give you three headlines, only one of them is bad news and two are good news, and a lot of it is really local stuff that might even be covered in your magazine, like about a local drag show or a gay bar or a young Trans teenager who just stood up for their body to their elected body and got something passed. I am so proud of Today in Gay, and you can listen to it everywhere you get your podcasts. We’re currently trying to tap Liv for a little interview sometime this season.

I was gonna ask, when can we expect Liv on the podcast? I’m sure everyone would love to hear their story. 

LW: Yeah, soon. 

JSB: We’re trying to figure it out soon. Yeah. 

Well, we can’t wait for that episode to drop. What is it like being on the gayest show on television. You two have been pioneering this since season one. It’s mind-blowing, so I just want to thank you. How has that reception been? How does it feel to be at the forefront of something so impressive? 

LH: Well, thank you very much. 

JSB: Yeah.

LH: And it’s cool. It’s such an honor. 

JSB: Yeah, when we won the GLAAD award, that’s when I went, “Oh my god, this means something to people, and that means something to me,” and it’s just a huge honor.

LH: That’s what we always wanted, like the two of us working together within the world of the show and within the world of the relationship our characters have. That’s been our priority the whole time.

JSB: Yeah.

LH: I would say and it’s incredibly meaningful that people have responded and that we are doing the work we intend to be doing. 

JSB: Yeah, and that in this show that’s all about trauma this queer relationship can be a bright spot and not be about trauma. What? Who would have thought of that? It’s amazing.

It’s wonderful that you found love in the wilderness. 

JSB: In a hopeless place.

LH: A hopeless place, if you will.

Yes, as Rihanna would say. Exactly. I thank you so much for your time. I’d love to give you both a moment to shout out any charity or organization you’d like fans to donate to in your name?

JSB: Oh my god, that’s such a great question.

LH: Wear It Purple is a great organization that I’ve worked with before, and I would love to point people in the direction of Black Rainbow.

JSB: Yeah, I’m always gonna shout out The Trevor Project, for sure. I think that they’re doing really important work.

LH: Yeah.

You’re so talented and sweet and I can’t wait to see what you both do in the future. 

LH: Thank you so much. 

JSB: Thank you. 

Did I have the chance to show them my extensive Yellowjackets Funko Pop collection? No, but I’m sure they’d love it! 

We’re proud to report that Yellowjackets screams defiantly in the face of heteronormativity. Through the show’s unbreakable bond between New Jersey teens turned-wilderness-survivors, Tai and Van will forever inspire us all that queer love is worth surviving for. 

Rejoin our crew of survivors, both in the past and present, as they grapple with the many mysteries unfolding around them. This latest entry promises to deliver gayer, crazier, and more insane moments that will leave us gagged episode after episode. 

The iconic series returns for a star-powered third season with: Emmy nominee and Critics Choice Award winner Melanie Lynskey; Emmy nominee Christina Ricci; Tawny Cypress; Emmy nominee Lauren Ambrose; Sophie Nélisse; Jasmin Savoy Brown; Sophie Thatcher;  Samantha Hanratty; Courtney Eaton; Liv Hewson; Steven Krueger; Warren Kole; Kevin Alves; Sarah Desjardins; and Simone Kessell, with Elijah Wood returning in a recurring role. Two-time Academy Award®-winning actress Hilary Swank guest stars this season and joins the all-star cast, along with Ashley Sutton and Joel McHale.