Why Adult Lottie From Yellowjackets Looks So Familiar

"Yellowjackets" returns for Season 2 with plenty of blood, mystery, and drama in an even darker installment that highlights female rage. In these new episodes, we finally meet the adult version of the mystical Lottie (Simone Kessell), who has an unsettling link to the strange symbol that haunts her fellow survivors. We also learn that she and her followers were behind Natalie's (Juliette Lewis) life-saving kidnapping that ended Season 1 on an unforgettable cliffhanger. After encountering adult Lottie's eerie presence, you might be wondering where you recognize the captivating actor from.

Lucky for us, we'll be seeing a lot of Simone Kessell in Season 2 as Lottie will have an even bigger role. You may even recognize her from other TV series and films, as the New Zealand actor has been prominently featured a lot lately. From mini-series to blockbuster hits, and even a standout role from a galaxy far, far away, here's where you've probably seen Kessell's bold work before.

Simone Kessell has done a lot of work in her home country of New Zealand, as well as one-off guest appearances in procedurals like "CSI: Miami" and "Criminal Minds." One of her first major film roles stateside was in the 2015 blockbuster "San Andreas," which starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. She played seismologist Kim Swann who studies earthquakes and seismic activity in the exciting disaster flick. Swann is crucial in the pivotal scene at the collapsing Hoover Dam that dramatically raises the stakes of the film and showcases her emotional depth and range as an actor, handling the chaos of a devastated city.

Kessell broke out even further as Hayley in the gritty biker film "Outlaws" from A24. It artfully depicts the unflinching violence of motorcycle gangs and underlines thematic elements like family and brotherhood. It also landed Kessell a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards in 2018. With this esteemed honor under her belt, perhaps some Emmy recognition for her memorable role as Adult Lottie in "Yellowjackets" is in the near future.

Before becoming the scene-stealing star in many of television's highest-rated dramas, Kessell became well-known for her roles in TV mini-series. She notably played Belle James in the 2018 political thriller "Pine Gap" with Milly Alcock of "House of the Dragon." The international series explores the relationships between the United States and Australia through the titular defense intelligence administration, giving Kessell another opportune moment to shine. She even reunited with the fiery young actress Alcock in the dark, serial killer drama "The Reckoning," where she played Paige Serrato in the nail-biting series.  

Kessell also starred in two episodes of the HBO pirate comedy "Our Flag Means Death" as Mother Teach, who happens to be the mother of the iconic miscreant Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). The colorful series is loved by fans and critics for its fun twist on the traditional depiction of swashbuckling pirates. Kessell only appears in more dramatic flashback scenes, but it's possible her character will return if Blackbeard's backstory gets more fleshed out in Season 2.

Simone Kessell made a strong impression with her recurring role in the highly anticipated "Star Wars" drama "Obi-Wan Kenobi." Kessell was introduced in Episode 1 "Part I," as Princess Leia's (Vivien Lyra Blair) mother Breha Organa, who turns to the legendary Jedi (played by Ewan McGregor) after her daughter is kidnapped. Though she struggles to understand the lively and rebellious Princess, Kessell's portrayal of Breha elevates the extraordinary risks she takes to protect her. She does so alongside her on-screen husband Jimmy Smits, who plays the galactic Senator Bail Organa from their home planet Alderaan.

Kessell was thrilled to join the "Star Wars" universe, as she told Hollywood Insider in a video interview. She applauded the enthusiastic fans saying, "This fan base is so, so special and that these people know everything about 'Star Wars,' way more than I do, but I'm so lucky that I've been able to be a part of this. And I think we're all in for a really, really special treat." Kessell was certainly right about the prospects of the series as it definitely delivered on the excitement. 

After Leia's harrowing and dangerous adventure with Obi-Wan, she returns home safely to her loving parents in the season finale. In Episode 6, "Part VI," we witness their heartwarming reunion made possible by Kenobi's selfless actions. Kessell demonstrates her vast range through Breha by showing her emotional capabilities when she finally reunites with Leia. Though she looks very different in her impressive, intergalactic wardrobe, Kessell's ability to seamlessly portray composed leaders shines through.