Yellowjackets: 9 Actors Who Could Play Adult Van, According to Reddit

The new Showtime series, Yellowjackets, had fans hooked from the first scene. An apparent instance of cannibalism along an eerily wooded backdrop had goosebumps running up viewers’ spines. Actors like Ella Purnell, Sophie Thatcher, and Samantha Hanratty took over the screen and fully embodied the fear and desperation of a young group of girls stranded in the middle of nowhere after a plane crash.

The show only gives a glimpse into the adult lives of four confirmed survivors of the crash. And by the season finale, fans are left with more questions than answers. Who will they see as an adult in the next season, who lives and who dies, and worst of all, who eats who? Fans took to Reddit to discuss the fate of fan-favorite character, Van, and they came up with some very interesting casting choices for her adult counterpart.

Sarah Snook

Sarah Snook is an Australian female actor who has since come into the limelight for her starring role in Succession. In fact, just recently she was up for a Screen Actor’s Guild Award and has previously won a Golden Globe for her role as Shiv Roy. Viewers may also recognize her from her recent film roles in The Glass Castle and Pieces of a Women. For Snook, a role like Shiv would prepare her well for any connection Van may have to Taissa’s political career in adulthood.

Reddit user lily99463 has strong opinions about this, exclaiming they would love to see “Sara Snook as adult Van!” Unfortunately for fans, chunkydunkerskin breaks the bad news that although they “would love this. Sadly, doubtful since she’s in a major HBO show and well…YJ is on Showtime. Not happening, I’m sure. But I absolutely wish it could!” Other users indicated how Snook is a fellow Aussie and would be very suitable for the role.

Lauren Ambrose

Lauren Ambrose is no stranger to tragedy. She had her breakthrough into the industry as Claire Fisher in Six Feet Under. Her family in the show runs a funeral home in Los Angeles, so Ambrose’s foundational role as an actor was surrounded by death, much like how Van has come so close to death so many times. She received critical acclaim for the role, and the world is watching her again as she stars in M. Night Shyamalan’s Apple TV+ original, Servant. The psychological horror film is dark and twisted, just like the plot of Yellowjackets. 

Simply put, one Reddit user, SodaPopGurl, said “Van=Lauren Ambrose.” Some users fear she is too busy on the set of Servant, but dkisanxious says they “just LOVE her and [they] know she could do such a good job here.” Reddit user elisesez agrees, “Yes!! She would be perfect.” Fans can only hope that she can find time in her schedule, especially because of the uncanny resemblance.

Thora Birch

Viewers are more likely to recognize Thora Birch from her work as a child star, most notably, Hocus Pocus. Her experience with witchcraft may give her the tools she needs to play a character like Van, who may have experienced something supernatural. More recently, she appeared in the very popular, The Walking Dead, which has her interacting with death itself, much like Van.

Reddit user, CineCraftKC, explains that “Van has so, so many great options! […] I think my personal fave is Thora Birch.” Other Reddit users praise her work in The Walking Dead, and site that her changed looks from childhood now make her look a lot like Van, jastanto says, “Thora Birch is the only correct answer for Van. She looks much different as an adult, and so much like Van!”

Natasha Lyonne

Because of her work in Orange is the New Black and But I’m a Cheerleader, Natasha Lyonne has made herself somewhat of an LGBTQ icon. She has the experience to represent an LGBTQ character, and her fiery red hair and straight-forward persona on-screen match that of Van’s. She is currently working as the lead in a Netflix comedy series called Russian Doll, which may make her unavailable for the role.

Reddit user HalcyonRye said that Lyonne “would be amazing,” with The_Real_Swamp_Witch adding that “the personalities are certainly similar. Natasha is one of my favorites. She’d have to hide the New York accent a little. But I would love to see her in this.” Many other users agreed, and the uncanny similarities in look, style, persona, and on-screen acting make Lyonne a great pick for adult Van.

Donna Lynn Champlin

Donna Lynn Champlin is most recognized by fans for her work in the CW comedy, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Her work in this production makes her very familiar with storylines portraying women who are unashamed and empowered by their sexuality. This experience would help elevate Van as an LGBT icon for viewers. She was also recently in Yes, God, Yes, a satirical comedy about a Catholic girl experiencing tempting ‘racy’ thoughts.

It is less for her work in these productions and more for her resemblance to Liv Hewson as Van, that fans are vying for her to portray the adult version. Reddit user, Egoteen, said “Oh man, this idea just blew my mind! Donna Lynne Champlin as adult Van.” Many other users backed her idea up, and now fans are even more excited to see who takes on the role.

Merritt Wever

Merrit Wever made herself known through her performance as a young nurse in Nurse Jackie. Her performance was critically acclaimed and she even won an Emmy. She had similar praise for her role in Godless and recently starred in the Netflix miniseries Unbelievable. She has had many supporting roles in television series and films such as Birdman and Marriage Story. Like a lot of women on this list, she brings a sort of “tomboy” energy to the screen, similar to that of Van’s.

Reddit user, Birdisdaword777 first brought it up saying that “Merritt Wever would bring an entirely new level of awesome for Van.” Many agree, like pepperjones926, “yaaaaaaaaaas, this is a good one!” She is one of the closest in age on this list as well, so fans are interested to see which way they will go.

Julia Stiles

The most-talked about adult Van casting choice is Julia Stiles. Her resemblance and age are on point, and her tomboy energy really would make her a great pick for the role. Viewers would recognize her from her work in productions like 10 Things I Hate About You, one of her best films, where she portrays a smart and slightly abrasive teen, much like Van’s character.

Some Reddit users also site her facial expressions, 90’s actress vibes, and deep voice as other reasons why Stiles is the right choice. Reddit user, Dawjman points out that “Julia Stiles is perfect. She even has that same facial expression.” with SanBernardoAvenue agreeing that she “would be perfect with the 90s icon theme!”

Samantha Sloyan

Samantha Sloyan was pointed out as another viable option for adult Van due to her similar red hair and appropriate age. She’s known for her work in Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, but most recently for her work in Midnight Mass, a supernatural horror series that streamed on Netflix this past year. That being said, she is no stranger to the creepier side of television.

Reddit user, mcranjam, first threw her name out exclaiming that they want “Samantha Sloyan for adult Van!” Other users agreed, citing her more appropriate age over other casting suggestions as the main reason to choose her, “With Sarah Snook a little too young, Samantha Sloyan is the only pick I’d like to see for adult Van.”

Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton rose to the limelight for her role as Stef Steinbrenner in the 1985 film, The Goonies, a similar iconic kid-led production. She’s had a long career since, receiving critical acclaim for her work both on-screen and on the stage. At the time of Goonies, Wever tended to be cast in very “tomboyish” roles, and Stef fit the bill. Her persona of having more masculine energy on screen would make her a great fit for Van.

Reddit user, deadletterstotinker says they “think Martha Plimpton works as an adult Van..she’s a fantastic actress and has that whole Goonies thing going for her.” Plimpton’s energy on-screen in Goonies is much like that of Van’s and fans are excited by the idea, even if Wever is a bit over the age that Van would be at the time of the real-time adult scenes.

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