SXSW 2023: Showtime’s Camp Yellowjackets Immersive Experience Fulfilled Our Hunger Pangs

Showtime Yellowjackets SXSW
Credit: Downright Creepy

SHOWTIME hosted a VIP sneak preview of their interactive experience, Camp Yellowjackets, which celebrated the upcoming release of the Emmy® Nominated series, ‘Yellowjackets,’ second season. The red carpet and reception were held during opening weekend of SXSW at Fair Market in Austin, TX. Series stars Tawny Cypress, Sophie Nélisse, Samantha Hanratty, Courtney Eaton, Steven Krueger and Kevin Alves were in attendance. Special guests also included Bobby Berk (Queer Eye) and Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek).

‘Yellowjackets’ will return for its highly-anticipated second season starting Friday, March 24 on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, March 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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As guests of Camp Yellowjackets we were completely immersed in nostalgia as SHOWTIME transformed Fair Market into a 90’s summer camp that has been abandoned for over two decades. The space highlights the sinister tone of ‘Yellowjackets’ while staying true to the series’ signature dark humor throughout. We explored the campsite and discovered some hidden easter eggs from the show.

Showtime Yellowjackets SXSW
Credit: Downright Creepy

“Camp Yellowjackets is an exclusive, excitingly unsettling, YELLOWJACKETS-themed destination,” said Puja Vohra, EVP Marketing, Showtime Networks Inc. “It’s been our passion and our privilege to open up the world of this amazing series to viewers everywhere, and we can’t wait for “Campers” to immerse themselves in clues of what really happened out there.”

During the VIP preview night we tested their survival skills with an ax throwing crash course, satiate our hunger with BBQ (definitely not human meat) and quench our undying thirst with specialty cocktails crafted by Casamigos Tequila with more fun surprises along the way including special guest appearances from members of the cast.

Showtime Yellowjackets SXSW
Credit: Downright Creepy

Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, ‘Yellowjackets’ is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.

Showtime Yellowjackets SXSW
Courtesy of Showtime

Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Narcos), ‘Yellowjackets’ stars Emmy® nominee and Critics Choice Award winner Melanie Lynskey (Castle Rock), Oscar® and Emmy® nominee Juliette Lewis (Camping), Emmy® nominee Christina Ricci (Z: The Beginning of Everything) and Tawny Cypress (Unforgettable). Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under, Servant) and Simone Kessell (Obi-Wan Kenobi) have also joined the second season as series regulars, along with Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) in a season long guest arc.  Season two also stars Sophie Nélisse (The Book Thief), Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers), Sophie Thatcher (Prospect), Samantha Hanratty (SHAMELESS), Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road), Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet), Steven Krueger (The Originals), Warren Kole (Shades of Blue) and Kevin Alves.

Produced for SHOWTIME by studio Entertainment One (eOne), ‘Yellowjackets’  is executive produced by Lyle, Nickerson and fellow showrunner Jonathan Lisco. Drew Comins of Creative Engine also serves as executive producer, along with Ameni Rozsa, Sarah L. Thompson and Karyn Kusama who directed the pilot.

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