Yellowjackets' Melanie Lynskey Gushes Over Sophie Nelisse's Season 2 Episode 6 Performance (And We Agree)

It's not unheard of for a cast of a TV show to describe their fellow actors as "family," but few shows have actors pulling double-duty as their castmates' biggest cheerleaders quite like "Yellowjackets." As the cannibal mystery thriller takes place in two timelines, there are two casts to dazzle audiences, as well as each other. International treasure, Melanie Lynskey, has spent months hyping up co-star Sophie Nélisse, who plays the teenage version of her character Shauna, ahead of her performance in season 2 episode 6.

"I'm so in awe of this beautiful woman always, but what she does in 'Qui,' episode 206 of 'Yellowjackets,' is just beyond," she wrote on Instagram. "Emotion just spills from her in the most truthful and profound way. She's talented beyond her years and talented beyond all our years!" Lynskey then tagged Nélisse to address her personally, writing, "Please be proud, I know it's hard for you, but you did something great." Lynskey also highlighted the episode's writers, Karen Joseph Adcock and Ameni Rozsa, as well as the director, Liz Garbus.

Nélisse replied with, "Says YOUUU. You set the bar so high, we can all only aspire to bring so much depth and complexity as you do on screen. This episode wouldn't be what it is without you in it. Truly. I love you and as always, your words mean the most."

Lynskey got the final word by responding with, "I'm half as good as you and you inspire me to be better, truly." Considering the impressive resume of Melanie Lynskey, her compliments are some seriously high praise, but there's no exaggeration or bias (okay, maybe a little bias) in her words. One of the best performances of 2023 so far belongs to Sophie Nélisse.

It's difficult to accurately describe how incredible Sophie Nélisse's work has been on "Yellowjackets," as some of her best moments aren't with explosive displays of emotion, but the controlled stillness often required of young women just trying to survive a world that has never been hospitable. She has already more than proved her talent with season 1 episodes like "Saint," where she takes the audience through the horrors of an attempted DIY abortion, or "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi," where she balances the cruel venom of conflict that can only be expressed between teenage girl best friends having a blowout, and the relentless agony of losing the person you love most in the world in the same episode.

In the episode, Nélisse's version of Shauna is put through the emotional wringer. Not only does she have to act out the painful experience of childbirth, but she also has to express her terror when it seems things aren't going well. She's constantly fluctuating between 100 different emotions at any given moment, and yet every decision she makes as a performer is the correct one.

There's an authenticity to her performance that knocked the wind out of me, accurately depicting a specific pain that I hope no one else has to experience, but one that I know is going to sadly resonate with more viewers than anyone could possibly predict. Everyone on "Yellowjackets" has been through some seriously terrible trauma, but the way Shauna has been pummeled by tragedy is incalculable. And Nélisse brings a careful, caring approach to every line delivery, facial reaction, and vocal inflection — in addition to emulating the signature "isms" of Melanie Lynskey.

Everything Lynskey said about Nélisse's performance in "Qui" is right on the money, and it will be unsurprising if she winds up with an Emmy nomination following the end of season 2.