Yellowjackets hinted to viewers with the title of its season three finale that the Showtime survival series would come full circle. In “Full Circle,” co-creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, with Nickerson directing the episode, fulfilled their promise to provide long-awaited answers by finally revealing the identity of “Pit Girl” as Mari.
The very first episode of the series established a mystery surrounding which teammate would be unveiled as “Pit Girl,” a nickname that has persisted for three seasons. A wilderness flash-forward introduced a girl in a white dress, running barefoot through the snow, who is then impaled and consumed by her friends. This intense scene was filmed with stunt actors, with the only Yellowjackets cast member present being Samantha Hanratty, who portrayed a mysterious Teen Misty.
In a conversation about the finale, Lyle and Nickerson, alongside co-showrunner Jonathan Lisco, disclosed that they had always intended for Pit Girl to be the character played by Alexa Barajas. This decision remained a closely guarded secret from the entire cast, who, like fans, speculated about which character would face such a brutal fate.
Barajas shared that she had a suspicion it would be her from the start, but received confirmation only during a phone call with the showrunners before filming season three. The brutal “hunt” for Mari that culminates in her death and a cannibalism ritual among the surviving team members included flashbacks to the original pilot. The showrunners explained that this back-and-forth was designed to illustrate the contrast between how the adult survivors remember the events compared to how the horrific incident actually unfolded.
In the following interview, Barajas reflects on her iconic exit from the series, the experience of recreating the infamous Pit Girl death scene frame by frame, and her appreciation for Mari’s final line.
***
**Take me back. When did you find out that Mari was Pit Girl?**
I remember watching the pilot and thinking, “I suspect that’s going to be me.” I was guessing just like all the fans about who it could be. But I always had a hunch it would be me. Once it was officially confirmed, I had a call with the showrunners, and they told me I was chosen to be Pit Girl.
**What gave you a hunch so early on that it was you?**
Watching the pilot and noticing how she looked. Plus, it was fun to hate Mari, which made me think, “Oh yeah, this feels like a setup!” I wasn’t told for a while, but I had a feeling. As soon as I knew about the phone call, I thought, “I think I know exactly what’s coming.” I’m just so grateful that the writers trusted me to portray Mari. They expressed how pleased they were with the character’s development, which made me really happy. We were all excited to finally film this highly anticipated scene.
**I know the entire cast speculated and was as invested as the fans in the Pit Girl mystery. The pink Converse sneakers, which we now know are worn by Liv Hewson’s Van, were a big talking point on set. How much did you all talk about Pit Girl?**
We discussed it a lot in the beginning as we slowly received answers. The sneakers were a funny topic; whenever we had them in wardrobe, we’d send pictures saying, “I’m wearing them today!” They were actually super comfortable, which I loved!
As winter approached in the second season, we wondered if we would find out then. We were eager to see how it would unfold and if it would happen during the hunt. When we finally reached winter in this season, we were all like, “Okay, it’s time. Let’s see what happens!”
**Did you share your suspicions with your co-stars?**
I think so. Many of us suspected it might be me. Some thought it could be Sarah [Desjardins, who plays Shauna’s daughter Callie], somehow time-jumping. But most of the speculation was directed at me, given that there are only so many characters with brown hair!
**Fans early on on Reddit also guessed Mari, but the introduction of Hanna (Ashley Sutton) in season three served as a good red herring. Are you impressed by how deeply fans dive into the show?**
Absolutely! They’re incredibly creative with their theories. I hope now that they have the scene and this full-circle moment, they feel satisfied with how we returned to the pilot. It’s been fun to follow along. There were two extremes: some fans wanted Mari to be Pit Girl, while others hoped it wouldn’t be her. I’m excited to see if the reveal brings satisfaction to both sides.
**In episode three of this season, Mari gave a speech to Coach Ben (Steven Krueger) about how two realities can coexist. I feel like that encapsulates the show’s theme. As you were filming, how did knowing the end impact your portrayal of Mari?**
It’s fascinating that now, with her story concluding, we got to know her better. This makes her loss even more impactful. Early on, Mari had a tough exterior and only knew how to push back. In this season, however, she found herself in vulnerable situations that allowed her to shed some of those layers, especially in her scenes with Coach Ben. Those moments were some of my favorites to film. I enjoyed getting to explore the deeper side of Mari while also appreciating her sharp one-liners!
**What do you think she was referring to in that episode? Do you think it relates to how the characters justify their actions, considering they’ve lived with the consequences of what they did to Mari?**
There’s definitely some of that. She seemed aware of the fine line she was walking, knowing that tipping too much in either direction could lead to dire consequences. She was trying to balance those realities, but unfortunately, it tipped too far.
**There’s a recurring theme of borrowed time in the show, where escaping death doesn’t guarantee safety in the future. Mari did escape from the pit once with Coach. Was there no way for her to avoid it a second time?**
She survived the pit before, but this time it was prepared for her, even though it wasn’t meant to kill her. There was no way she could survive it again.
**What was it like when you put on the iconic outfit for the first time?**
Wearing the dress was exhilarating because it felt like, “Wow, this is really happening.” Once I read the script, I collaborated with the hair and wardrobe teams on how to reveal the dress gradually throughout the episode. I wanted to create a moment where viewers might think, “No, it can’t be her!” Later, when I was making the scarecrow, I zipped up my jacket to hide the dress, only to reveal it later, enhancing the tension. It was a lot of fun to devise those moments.
**In the pilot, Samantha was the only actor in the Pit Girl scenes. What was it like to recreate that scene frame-for-frame in the finale?**
I aimed to match her mannerisms in the pit as closely as possible to create a full-circle moment with Mari. The episode intercuts between pilot footage and our new scenes, and I hope it blends seamlessly. The last person I see before going into the pit is Lottie [Courtney Eaton], and I adore the last line Mari speaks: “Oh my god, fuck off!” I think that perfectly captures her character. (Laughs)
**The scene with your body hanging from a tree is from the pilot. But you also filmed being dragged through the snow to fill in those initial gaps. Who was dragging you in that scene?**
It was a stunt team! My last day of filming was when I picked the card, which felt special because everyone was there, making it an official wrap-up. I’ve completely forgotten what I said during our farewell, but I felt honored to play Pit Girl and be part of the lore connected to Yellowjackets.
**Did you get a funeral or death party in the end?**
We had more of a death dinner (laughs) than a party. By that point in the season, everyone was exhausted, so it turned into a nice dinner celebration of our accomplishments, along with my departure.
**It’s brutal to see how they turn on her. Some resist, but ultimately, they all give in. What was it like to film those savage moments? What do you think of this turning point?**
I hope it haunts them for the rest of their lives! This season highlights how they’re not hunting for survival but rather for sport. It sheds light on why they’re reluctant to return to their former lives and why some prefer the new life they’ve created out there. Some enjoyed what happened, while others remain too suppressed to act on it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened again.
**There were numerous deaths this season. When considering Adult Lottie (Simone Kessell), Adult Van (Lauren Ambrose), Coach Ben (Steven Krueger), and Adult Nat (Juliette Lewis) from last season, many of the deceased characters were those who wouldn’t have hunted Mari. What do you make of those who perhaps didn’t deserve to live?**
That makes for a much more interesting show! Those who attempted to move on with their lives lowered their guard, while those who didn’t remained vigilant. It seems that keeping your walls up is the key to survival.
**Mari envisioned a slushie when dreaming of home. What do you think she would have been like if she had escaped?**
Mari would have thrived on the attention everyone received upon returning. She would have flaunted her survival story, possibly wearing a shirt that said, “I survived the plane crash.” (Laughs) I can see her becoming quite the personality!
**If you had made it to adulthood, who would be your dream casting to play her?**
I would love to see Olivia Munn play an older Mari.
**What will you miss most, and where are you in the process of saying goodbye to Yellowjackets?**
I’ll miss working with everyone daily, but I’m also excited about what’s next. I feel fulfilled after three seasons. I’ll miss Mari’s witty one-liners; the writers did an excellent job with those, and it was so much fun to perform them. There is one lingering question I have: What happened to Mari’s Fruit by the Foot? We heard about it in the pilot, but we never got an answer, so that full circle still has one piece missing that I’d love to uncover!
**Will there be more horror in your future, or are you seeking a change of pace?**
I’d love to explore a rom-com! I enjoy comedy and would like to dive into that genre. I also love the idea of action. I recently got a fantastic opportunity to star and executive produce an indie feature called Lucky Weekend, directed by Kevin Alves, who plays Travis on Yellowjackets. I’m thrilled about it; it’s a different character, which is fun to explore.
**Any final words as Pit Girl?**
Oh my god, fuck off!
***
Yellowjackets season three is now streaming, with episodes airing on Sundays. For more exciting updates, stay tuned for more from HiCelebNews!
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