When an actor’s personal journey becomes as prominent as their on-screen performances, it reflects the cultural moment — Liv Hewson, best known for playing Teen Van on Yellowjackets, publicly disclosed their top surgery in 2021, sparking coverage across LGBTQ+ and mainstream outlets. This article pieces together what’s known and what remains private about Hewson’s identity, career, and the medical choice they say made them feel “more alive.”
Born: 29 November 1995 · Nationality: Australian · Known for: Yellowjackets, Santa Clarita Diet · Pronouns: they/them · Notable surgery: top surgery (double mastectomy) in 2021
Quick snapshot
- Liv Hewson is non-binary (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news magazine))
- They underwent top surgery in 2021 (People (celebrity news outlet))
- They play Teen Van on Yellowjackets (Paramount+ (official streaming platform))
- Exact date of top surgery not publicly confirmed (People)
- Partner’s name has not been disclosed (Autostraddle (LGBTQ+ culture site))
- Specific ethnic breakdown of ancestry not widely reported (TV Insider (celebrity biography source))
- Born 1995 (TV Insider)
- Began acting 2014 (IMDb (industry filmography database))
- Santa Clarita Diet 2017–2019 (IMDb)
- Came out non-binary and had top surgery 2021 (People)
- Yellowjackets 2021–present (Paramount+)
- Relationship announced 2024 (Autostraddle)
- Continuing role in Yellowjackets (Paramount+)
Six key facts, one pattern: Hewson’s public identity is consistently affirmed across both entertainment and LGBTQ+ media, but personal details—surgery date, partner identity, ancestry specifics—remain deliberately private.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Liv Hewson |
| Date of birth | 29 November 1995 |
| Place of birth | Canberra, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor, playwright |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Notable works | Yellowjackets, Santa Clarita Diet |
Why did Liv Hewson get top surgery?
Liv Hewson’s public statement on top surgery
- Hewson said the surgery produced a major positive personal change, describing feeling “more alive” afterward (People (celebrity news outlet))
- In a Teen Vogue interview, they stated it was for gender affirmation as a non-binary person (Autostraddle)
- They reported being “never been happier” post-surgery (The Advocate)
The implication: Hewson framed the surgery not as a medical burden but as a source of joy and alignment with their identity. The coverage consistently emphasizes gender affirmation over clinical detail—a deliberate shift away from invasive reporting.
Medical and personal reasons for double mastectomy
- No specific medical reason beyond gender affirmation has been publicly provided by Hewson.
- Coverage of Hewson’s comments emphasized gender-affirming surgery rather than medical details of the procedure (The Advocate)
The pattern: The public record is clear on motivation (affirmation) but silent on surgical specifics, which Hewson has deliberately not shared.
TL;DR: Liv Hewson underwent top surgery in 2021 for gender affirmation, describing it as a source of joy and authenticity, not a medical burden.
Liv Hewson’s top surgery discussion represents a rare case where a mainstream actor openly ties a medical procedure to identity in a way that generated broad coverage across both celebrity and LGBTQ+ outlets—amplifying trans joy rather than medical controversy.
What happened to Liv Hewson?
Career updates after top surgery
- Hewson continues acting post-surgery (People)
- They star in Yellowjackets as Teen Van, a role that began in 2021 and continues (Paramount+)
- They have not retired or left the industry; no public announcement suggests an exit.
The catch: Because Hewson’s surgery was reported alongside the Yellowjackets premiere, some readers mistakenly assumed they stepped away. In reality, they have remained steadily employed.
Recent roles and projects
- Post-surgery credits include Yellowjackets (2021–present).
- No new film or TV roles have been announced as of early 2025.
What this means: Hewson’s career trajectory post-2021 is stable but not explosively expanding—they are a working actor in a hit series, not a celebrity detoured by surgery.
TL;DR: Liv Hewson continues her role on Yellowjackets after surgery; no career interruption or exit has occurred.
Is Liv Hewson in a relationship?
Liv Hewson’s partner announcement
- Hewson announced they are in a relationship in 2024 (Autostraddle)
- They have not publicly named the partner.
- They value privacy in relationships.
The trade-off: Hewson chooses to share existence but not identity of their partner—a boundary that keeps personal life personal while acknowledging they are not single.
Privacy around personal life
- No further details about the relationship have been reported.
- No public appearances with a partner have been documented.
Why this matters: For a non-binary actor navigating visibility, controlling what stays private can be an act of self-preservation as much as preference.
TL;DR: Liv Hewson confirmed a relationship in 2024 but has not disclosed the partner’s name, maintaining privacy.
What is Liv Hewson’s ancestry?
Family background
- Hewson was born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (TV Insider)
- They were raised in the suburb of Hughes (IMDb)
The pattern: Hewson’s recorded background is straightforward—Australian upbringing, no public mention of multi-ethnic heritage. Any speculation about specific ancestry remains unconfirmed.
Cultural heritage
- No specific ethnic background beyond Australian has been widely reported in reputable sources.
What this means: Readers searching for a detailed ethnic breakdown will not find one because Hewson has not provided it. The absence of information is itself a data point about privacy.
TL;DR: Liv Hewson was born and raised in Canberra, Australia; no specific ethnic background has been publicly disclosed.
What movies and TV shows has Liv Hewson been in?
Yellowjackets role
- Hewson plays Teen Van, the team’s goalie and unofficial mascot (Paramount+)
- Van is a survivor of the plane crash and a central character in the 1996 timeline.
The catch: The role—their highest-profile—is a younger version of a character also played by an adult actor, meaning Hewson’s screen time is concentrated in flashback sequences.
Santa Clarita Diet role
- Hewson played Abby, the daughter of Drew Barrymore’s character, from 2017 to 2019 (IMDb)
- The Netflix comedy ran three seasons.
Other film and TV appearances
- They appeared in The Letdown (2016–2019), an Australian comedy series.
- They played a role in Bombshell (2019), the Fox News drama (IMDb)
The implication: Hewson’s filmography is modest but includes a major streaming hit (Santa Clarita Diet) and a current critical darling (Yellowjackets). They are a working actor on an upward, not downward, trajectory.
TL;DR: Liv Hewson is best known for playing Teen Van in Yellowjackets and Abby in Santa Clarita Diet, with additional roles in The Letdown and Bombshell.
Timeline: Liv Hewson’s life and career
- 1995 – Born in Canberra, Australia (TV Insider)
- 2014 – Began acting career (IMDb)
- 2017–2019 – Starred in Santa Clarita Diet (IMDb)
- 2021 – Came out as non-binary; underwent top surgery (People)
- 2021–present – Stars in Yellowjackets (Paramount+)
- 2024 – Announced they are in a relationship (Autostraddle)
The timeline shows a steady career punctuated by a major personal milestone in 2021 that did not disrupt but rather accompanied their highest-profile role.
Confirmed facts
- Liv Hewson is non-binary (The Advocate)
- They had top surgery in 2021 (People)
- They star in Yellowjackets (Paramount+)
- Born in Canberra in 1995 (TV Insider)
What’s unclear
- Exact date of top surgery (People)
- Name of their partner (Autostraddle)
- Specific ancestry details (TV Insider)
- Net worth (not publicly verified)
Quotes from Liv Hewson
“I feel more alive than I ever have.”
— Liv Hewson, speaking to Teen Vogue, as reported by People (celebrity news outlet)
Hewson described the anti-trans backlash as exhausting but said the joy of being themselves outweighs it. (The Advocate)
For fans and followers, the takeaway from Hewson’s journey is consistent: personal authenticity and professional stability can coexist. For non-binary actors in Hollywood, Hewson’s trajectory offers a concrete example of visibility without exploitation. The decision to share their top surgery on their own terms—and to reserve details like partner identity and ancestry—demonstrates that privacy and openness are not opposites but choices.
instagram.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, tiktok.com, yellowjackets.fandom.com, people.com
A great place to start is this in-depth profile, which chronicles their top surgery and acting journey.
Frequently asked questions
What is top surgery?
Top surgery refers to a gender-affirming procedure that alters the chest. For non-binary or transgender individuals, it often means a double mastectomy (removal of breast tissue) to create a flatter, more masculine or neutral chest contour.
How does top surgery affect nipple sensation?
Nipple sensation varies after top surgery. Many people experience reduced or altered sensation, though some regain feeling over time. This is a standard surgical consideration.
Is Liv Hewson still acting after top surgery?
Yes. They continue to star in Yellowjackets, which began after the surgery. No career interruption has been reported.
What pronouns does Liv Hewson use?
Hewson uses they/them pronouns and has done so since 2012 (BuzzFeed (media site))
Has Liv Hewson won any awards?
They have not won major acting awards. They were nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series as part of the Yellowjackets cast in 2022 and 2023.
What is Liv Hewson’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure is publicly available. Most estimates are speculative and not sourced from reliable financial disclosures.
Does Liv Hewson have siblings?
No public information about siblings has been provided by Hewson or reported in credible sources.
These answers reflect the public information available; Hewson maintains personal boundaries on many aspects of their life.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Reviewly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.