Mavis Beaumont is entering her final era — and she’s doing it surrounded by icons. Netflix just confirmed that Survival of the Thickest Season 3 has officially started production in New York City, and the guest list is stacked. Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws, Please & Thank You tour), D.L. Hughley (The D.L. Hughley Show), Ashley Graham (Chicago on Broadway), Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show), Jenna Lyons (designer and creative entrepreneur), Wyatt Cenac (Problem Areas, Medicine for Melancholy), Ice-T (Law & Order: SVU), and several buzzy fashion names will all appear in the series’ last chapter. If the goal was to end with a bang, the mission is already accomplished.
Michelle Buteau In the Director’s Chair
This season marks a major milestone for the creators: Michelle Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel will both make their directorial debuts. Buteau will take on episode 5, while Sanchez-Witzel leads episode 3. They’ll be joined by directors Kim Nguyen and Amy Aniobi, with Aniobi returning as showrunner for the final installment.
In true Buteau fashion, she’s celebrating every step of the journey. Her energy around Season 3 has been pure joy, and she’s made it clear the show’s finale will be bold, heartfelt, and loud in all the right ways.
Who’s Back — and Who’s Leveling Up
Returning favorites include Tone Bell, Liza Treyger, Peppermint, Alecsys Proctor-Turner, Garcelle Beauvais, Anthony Michael Lopez, and RonReaco Lee. Marouane Zotti, who’s been a fan obsession since his first appearance, is officially promoted to series regular. And yes, New York City is once again showing up as a full character.
A Quick Look Back Before the Finale
Across its first two seasons, the show followed Mavis as she rebuilt her life after heartbreak, tested her limits as a stylist, and found her voice as a champion for size-inclusive fashion. Season 2 ended with her most public stand yet — calling out a designer’s lack of inclusivity, then collaborating with him on a groundbreaking runway moment that pushed her career and confidence into a new stratosphere.
“The theme we kept coming back to was leveling up: getting these characters to reach new heights romantically, take chances with their careers,” Sanchez-Witzel said of season 2.
Her chosen family also stepped into major growth arcs: Khalil began confronting his own patterns, Marley found herself in a flirt-heavy political romance, and Luca re-entered Mavis’ orbit in a way that left fans screaming into group chats. Will they rekindle things for real, or just repeat old habits? Season 3 is the decider.
Survival of the Thickest has always led with inclusivity, offering a vibrant world where queer joy, body positivity, trans representation, and Black womanhood all take up well-deserved space. The series centers a plus-size Black heroine whose confidence, humor, and vulnerability drive the heart of the story, while surrounding her with a chosen family that reflects a wide range of identities and lived experiences. With characters like Peppermint and storylines that uplift size-inclusive fashion and self-acceptance, the show prioritizes people and perspectives often pushed to the margins.
“Season 2 felt like a beautiful place full of love, hope, and growth,” Buteau chimed in. “There’s truly nothing better than having the opportunity to live your truth and share your stories onscreen.”
As for what’s next? “Honestly, I want to know what’s good for Mavis! Mavis has really put herself out there, and if she continues to do so, the sky’s the limit.”
What Season 3 Promises
While plot details are still under wraps, the heart of the series remains the same: Mavis, is determined to thrive, not just survive. Her work, her relationships, and her self-love journey continue to anchor the show — always with humor, fashion, and runway-ready looks.
The final season is executive produced by A24, Anne Hong, Buteau, Sanchez-Witzel, and Aniobi.
When Will It Premiere?
There’s no release date yet, but production is officially underway. Until then, fans can return to Seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix and keep refreshing Tudum for updates. For now, see more of the cast lineup below!
