The White Lotus, creator Mike White’s Emmy-winning social satire, is formally returning with season 3 set to start filming in Thailand in February. Like the primary two, the brand new installment will happen at one other one of many luxurious resort’s unique places, the place a brand new group of visitors and staff will discover their lives clashing in sudden methods.
With manufacturing almost underway, HBO has formally introduced the forged and placement for The White Lotus‘ upcoming third season.
Now, ET is exploring all the things we all know up to now in regards to the forged, location and plot — together with White’s newest hints and what lots of the sprawling ensemble have beforehand stated about returning.
The Solid
In January 2024, HBO introduced the forged for The White Lotus season 3. Leslie Bibb, Dom Htrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey and Tayme Thapthimthong are all set to hitch the sequence, alongside beforehand introduced returning forged member Natasha Rothwell, who reprises her function as spa supervisor Belinda Lindsey within the inaugural Hawaii-set season.
“I can’t say anything. I literally can’t,” Rothwell advised ET in December. “I will say I’ve read all of the scripts and people are in for a treat. It’s bigger than ever. Buckle up.”
Many followers beforehand puzzled whether or not Jennifer Coolidge would return as Tanya McQuiod, the grief-stricken visitor who discovered solace in Greg Hunt (Jon Gries) in season 1 earlier than the 2’s romance began to crumble in season 2. The 62-year-old actress received her first Primetime Emmy for season 1 and was nominated once more for reprisal.
In an interview with Deadline, White stated that he could not think about doing one other installment with out her. “Jennifer is my friend and everybody loved her in the first season, and I was like, ‘I can’t go to Italy without Jennifer.’ And maybe that’s still the case. Like, maybe you can’t go to Japan without Jennifer, either.”
And Coolidge gave the impression to be open for extra. “Yes, yes. Of course,” she advised ET when requested about returning, earlier than including, “I mean, I don’t know what Mike has in mind. But yes, I would love [to come back].”
Nonetheless, primarily based on the season 2 finale, Coolidge’s involvement with the sequence has come to an finish.
Whereas Rothwell is the one returning star tapped for this season, there are nonetheless loads of different White Lotus alums who would leap on the likelihood to test in once more. White beforehand advised Deadline, “There are so many fun actors we’ve worked with so far, so it’s just kind of like who’s available.”
Previous to the announcement of her function reprisal, Rothwell beforehand gushed, “I will follow Mike White to the ends of the earth.” Her upcoming materials may very well be a strategy to tie up free ends involving Tanya’s storyline, which can want some closure following the occasions of season 2.
Of the season 1 ensemble, a number of have advised ET that they’re prepared to return again for an additional keep on the White Lotus.
“I would do anything with Mike White. Like, White Lotus season 3 [or] something totally different. You know, help him move boxes into a new house. Like, whatever he wants. I absolutely adore him and think he’s a genius. So, if he’s got something going and I get a call, I will be there,” Jake Lacy stated, confirming that he is “100 percent” in if White needs him to reprise his function as demanding visitor Shane Patton.
Alexandra Daddario, who performed Shane’s spouse Rachel, can also be down to return again. “If he had a great idea, then of course,” she stated. “I would do anything… Just being a small part of the series is amazing.”
As for different season 1 stars, Connie Britton, who performed mom and businesswoman Nicole Mossbacher, stated, “With any luck, maybe I’ll be in another season.”
After the finale, Britton’s onscreen daughter, Sydney Sweeney, stated there had been conversations with the present about the opportunity of returning, with the Euphoria star revealing that she’s open to no matter path the creator decides to take issues sooner or later. “I’m just so excited for Mike,” she stated. “Mike’s writing is just so much fun and so incredible.”
As for the season 2 forged, there are simply as many who wish to come again — particularly now that audiences know who made it out of Sicily alive.
When requested if she may very well be again because the uptight Harper Spiller, Aubrey Plaza stated, “I hope so. It depends on if I’m, like, a fan favorite. I think, you know, it just depends on who people want [to see again].” F. Murray Abraham, who performs growing old patriarch Bert Di Grasso, stated he needs to return for season 3 in addition to seasons 4 by 6 — if there are that many. “But I’m really happy to have been in this one,” he shared.
One visitor followers know is alive and effectively is Daphne Babcock (Meghann Fahy), who discovered herself vacationing with Harper and their two husbands on the Sicilian property earlier than discovering a mysterious physique within the water. “Oh my God, of course,” Fahy stated of returning. “I mean, I would pass out water on the third season. It’s such an amazing set to be on. Like, just to witness everybody working. The cast is so amazing and watching Mike work is so cool. I mean, I would totally be there, of course.”
Sadly, one different one that can’t return is Murray Bartlett as season 1’s resort supervisor Armand. That’s, except “we, like, go back in time or something,” he supplied. And that looks as if an unlikely flip for the sequence.
The Location
The White Lotus season 3 will likely be set in Thailand, with filming to happen in and round Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok. HBO introduced in January 2024 that it’s working straight with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to assist the filming and manufacturing of the present.
“We are honored to have Amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of The White Lotus,” stated Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. “The kingdom’s exotic natural beauty, rich historical sites and diverse landscapes are the perfect settings to share our fascinating culture, fantastic cuisine, top-notch wellness and luxury offerings, and most importantly our people and Thai hospitality. Thailand has long been considered one of the world’s favorite filming locations. The White Lotus project will certainly strengthen the kingdom’s status as a preferred filming destination and a beacon of experience-based tourism, inspiring even more visitors to Amazing Thailand.”
The vacation spot strains up completely with White’s plans for the most recent installment. “The first season we highlighted money and then the second season is sex and I think the third season, it would be maybe a kind of satirical and funny look at death in Eastern religion and spirituality,” he stated in a making-of-season 2 video. “It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus.”
Not solely that however the 4 Seasons, which has served because the filming location within the first two seasons, has a number of luxurious accommodations within the nation. (In season 1, the 4 Seasons Maui served because the White Lotus property whereas 4 Seasons San Domenico Palace was stand-in for the property in season 2.)
The Plot
Whereas White is conserving mum in regards to the storyline for now, he did inform EW, “It’s going to be a supersized White Lotus. It’s going to be longer, bigger, crazier. I don’t know what people will think, but I am super excited, so at least for my own barometer, that’s a good thing … I’m super excited about the content of the season.”
The White Lotus seasons 1 and a pair of are actually streaming on Max. The primary installment acquired 20 Emmy nominations throughout 13 classes and noticed 10 wins, probably the most of any present that yr. The second season has earned 23 Emmy nominations, with the winners set to be introduced on the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on Jan. 15.
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