Samantha Hanratty delivers a captivating performance as Misty Quigley in Yellowjackets, matching the intensity of Christina Ricci, who portrays the adult Misty. Hanratty’s portrayal highlights Misty’s complex emotions, ranging from humor to heartbreak, particularly in an episode where she defends Coach Ben. Previously, she shone in Shameless as Kassidi, Carl Gallagher’s love interest, bringing a mix of humor and menace over a whirlwind romance. Despite the contrasting characters, both showcase Hanratty’s ability to depict dark obsessions, making her performances both enthralling and relatable. Her versatility as an actress makes her stand out in both series.
Samantha Hanratty is a standout in Yellowjackets, delivering an unrestrained performance as Misty Quigley. Christina Ricci excels as the adult Misty, making it impressive that Hanratty, a relatively new face, can complement Ricci’s portrayal so effectively. Misty’s expressive face, which can convey humor, dread, or sorrow with equal force, adds depth to her character. This season, Misty has already delivered a memorable episode, especially when she defended Coach Ben (Steven Krueger) during his trial.
Long before Yellowjackets, Hanratty showcased her talent on a different Showtime series, where she took on a role that was markedly different yet equally engaging. In Season 8 of Shameless, she portrayed Kassidi, a captivating and occasionally frightening love interest for Carl Gallagher (Ethan Cutkosky). While Shameless lacks the mystery aspect of Yellowjackets, its quirky characters and dark humor offer a similar vibrancy. Thus, it’s no wonder a memorable guest star from the show transitions into a powerhouse role in Yellowjackets.
Samantha Hanratty Played Kassidi, Carl’s Love Interest on ‘Shameless’
Kassidi, portrayed with finesse by Samantha Hanratty, embarks on a roller-coaster romance with Carl Gallagher, eventually marrying him. Even though her storyline concludes abruptly and feels harsh, the Kassidi plotline was one of the season’s highlights, thanks to Hanratty’s portrayal. It’s astonishing that all the developments in Kassidi’s narrative occur over just seven episodes, yet Hanratty and Cutkosky convincingly encapsulate the volatility of this short-lived relationship.
Kassidi hails from an affluent background, presenting a stark contrast to Carl’s upbringing. However, her unique intensity immediately draws him in, leading to an unexpected connection. Their bizarre relationship ignites when Carl kidnaps Kassidi to extract money from her father, an adventure she enthusiastically participates in; the dynamics only become stranger from that point onward. Hanratty’s captivating energy is evident from her debut episode. When Carl inquires about Kassidi’s injured leg, she mischievously admits to enjoying the pain. With a cigarette in hand and a playful smirk, she radiates an alluring energy, fully aware of her own charm.
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Kassidi is portrayed as a character who meticulously documents every moment with Carl, urges him into a rapid marriage, and even offers him a vial of her blood as a necklace. As Carl quickly falls for her and lowers his defenses, he becomes alarmed by her increasingly strange and controlling nature. It’s Hanratty’s nuanced performance that renders this exaggerated character believable. Even during her most erratic moments, it’s clear she genuinely perceives her actions as justifiable, and her volatile mood swings resonate with sincerity.
Looking back, Samantha Hanratty’s fearless interpretation of Kassidi becomes even more remarkable as her behavior and mannerisms starkly contrast her role in Yellowjackets. Kassidi’s bold, assertive nature sharply contrasts with Misty’s reserved, awkward, and often uncomfortable demeanor. Nevertheless, both characters share an obsessive drive that Hanratty artfully conveys. Kassidi’s fervent pursuit of Carl easily mirrors Misty’s determined advances towards Coach Ben or her recent idolization of Nat Scatorccio (Sophie Thatcher). Across both series, Hanratty’s committed performances reveal the depth of her characters’ obsessions, making them engaging to watch, no matter how unsettling their actions may seem. While she’s a versatile actress traversing multiple genres, Samantha Hanratty seems to have discovered her distinctive strength: making dark, all-consuming obsessions feel unexpectedly endearing.
If you’re enchanted by Samantha Hanratty’s portrayal of Misty in Yellowjackets, it’s a must to check out her storyline in Shameless. Although her character is introduced eight seasons into the show, Shameless provides enough episodic content that you can easily dive into the episode featuring Kassidi. The intense romance between Kassidi and Carl is as wild and darkly humorous as anything found in Yellowjackets, making it an experience worth exploring.
Shameless is available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S.