Yellowjackets star Melanie Lynskey is opening up about her approach to tattoos—and why fans shouldn’t expect her to commemorate her hit series with one.
While attending the Season 3 FYC (For Your Consideration) event for Showtime’s Yellowjackets on Thursday, April 10, the Emmy-nominated actress, 47, spoke with People about whether she might ever consider getting inked in honor of the critically acclaimed survival drama.
“I’ve never gotten a tattoo for a job,” Lynskey said, noting that her body art is deeply personal and not tied to her professional milestones. “It was more for people that I love.”
Although she won’t be honoring Yellowjackets with a tattoo, Lynskey revealed that she’s not opposed to ink altogether. She shared that she once got matching tattoos with a co-star while filming a movie in New Zealand—an experience that held emotional weight for her.
“I got one with my co-star on a movie I did in New Zealand, because I loved her so much,” she said. “We got matching tattoos.” Lynskey didn’t name the film or the actress, choosing to keep that memory private, but made clear that tattoos, for her, are reserved for personal relationships rather than career achievements.
The New Zealand-born actress, who plays Shauna in Yellowjackets, has earned widespread praise for her portrayal of a morally complex survivor navigating trauma, guilt, and secrecy. The show has developed a passionate fan base since its 2021 debut, and many of its followers have expressed their devotion through fan art, memes, and even themed tattoos. Despite this, Lynskey said she draws a clear line between fan culture and personal expression.
In a separate recent interview, Lynskey also touched on her growing LGBTQ+ fanbase and shared her husband Jason Ritter’s reaction to the attention she’s been receiving—particularly from the lesbian community. “He loves it,” she said with a laugh, expressing appreciation for the warm support and visibility she’s experienced as part of the show’s cultural impact.
Yellowjackets is currently in production for its third season.
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