With 'Cape Fear' and 'Yellowjackets', Juliette Lewis Embraces New Fans: "Fate"

Few actors manage to span decades while being rediscovered again and again by new audiences. Juliette Lewis believes that has been one of the most curious aspects of her career.

In an exclusive interview with Omelete, the actress said that different generations have come to know her through completely different works, from Natural Born Killers to Yellowjackets and now, once again, through Cape Fear.

For Lewis, that constant renewal was never planned: “It’s exciting. We don’t control these things. It’s kind of fate.”

The actress specifically pointed to the success of Yellowjackets, the series that introduced her work to a much younger audience. For her, “Getting a new life because of Yellowjackets was incredible. I could never have predicted that.”

According to Lewis, she had no idea her character would have such an impact. “I had no idea she would resonate with audiences the way she did.”

More than the success of the series itself, what struck her most was realizing that many viewers came to know her without any reference to her films from the 1990s.

“It was really special to realize that many young people who didn’t know my journey now know me as a completely new person.”

Lewis hopes that cycle keeps happening. With the new version of Cape Fear, the actress once again has the opportunity to introduce her work to a generation that may not even have been born when she was nominated for an Oscar for Martin Scorsese’s 1992 film.

Everything you need to know about Cape Fear

The story follows attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson), whose peaceful life falls apart when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), someone they helped convict, is released from prison determined to get revenge.

The production is led and produced by Nick Antosca, with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg — director and producer of the 1991 film — serving as executive producers.

Inspired by the novel The Executioners and previous adaptations, the series is produced by UCP (Universal Content Productions) and Amblin Television. The pilot episode is directed by Morten Tyldum.

The 10-episode miniseries wraps up this Friday, July 31.