The White Lotus, creator Mike White’s Emmy-winning social satire, is officially 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 lodge’s unique areas, the place a brand new group of friends and workers will discover their lives clashing in sudden methods.
With manufacturing almost underway, HBO has formally introduced the forged and site for The White Lotus‘ upcoming third season.
Now, ET is exploring all the pieces we all know to date concerning the forged, location and plot — together with White’s newest hints and what most 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 affix the sequence, alongside beforehand introduced returning forged member Natasha Rothwell, who reprises her position as spa supervisor Belinda Lindsey within the inaugural Hawaii-set season.
“I am unable to say something. I actually cannot,” Rothwell told ET in December. “I’ll say I’ve learn the entire scripts and individuals are in for a deal with. It is larger 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 disintegrate in season 2. The 62-year-old actress gained 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 buddy and all people beloved her within the first season, and I used to be like, ‘I can’t go to Italy with out Jennifer.’ And possibly that’s nonetheless the case. Like, possibly you may’t go to Japan with out Jennifer, both.”
And Coolidge gave the impression to be open for extra. “Sure, sure. In fact,” she advised ET when requested about returning, earlier than including, “I imply, I do not know what Mike has in thoughts. However sure, I’d love [to come back].”
Nevertheless, 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 soar on the probability to verify in once more. White beforehand advised Deadline, “There are such a lot of enjoyable actors we’ve labored with to date, so it’s simply form of like who’s accessible.”
Previous to the announcement of her position reprisal, Rothwell beforehand gushed, “I’ll observe Mike White to the ends of the earth.” Her upcoming materials may very well be a technique 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 keen to come back again for one more keep on the White Lotus.
“I’d do something with Mike White. Like, White Lotus season 3 [or] one thing completely totally different. You understand, assist him transfer packing containers into a brand new home. Like, no matter he needs. I completely adore him and suppose he’s a genius. So, if he’s obtained one thing going and I get a name, I might be there,” Jake Lacy stated, confirming that he is “100%” in if White needs him to reprise his position as demanding visitor Shane Patton.
Alexandra Daddario, who performed Shane’s spouse Rachel, can be down to come back again. “If he had an awesome thought, then in fact,” she stated. “I’d do something… Simply being a small a part of the sequence is wonderful.”
As for different season 1 stars, Connie Britton, who performed mom and businesswoman Nicole Mossbacher, stated, “Optimistically, possibly I’ll be in one other 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 course the creator decides to take issues sooner or later. “I’m simply so excited for Mike,” she stated. “Mike’s writing is simply a lot enjoyable and so unimaginable.”
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 will depend on if I am, like, a fan favourite. I feel, you understand, it simply will depend on who individuals need [to see again].” F. Murray Abraham, who performs getting older patriarch Bert Di Grasso, stated he needs to return for season 3 in addition to seasons 4 by means of 6 — if there are that many. “However I am actually comfortable to have been on 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, in fact,” Fahy stated of returning. “I imply, I’d move out water on the third season. It is such a tremendous set to be on. Like, simply to witness all people working. The forged is so wonderful and watching Mike work is so cool. I imply, I’d completely be there, in fact.”
Sadly, one different one who can not return is Murray Bartlett as season 1’s hotel manager Armand. That’s, except “we, like, return in time or one thing,” he supplied. And that looks as if an unlikely flip for the sequence.
The Location
The White Lotus season 3 might 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 immediately with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to help the filming and manufacturing of the present.
“We’re honored to have Wonderful Thailand featured because the filming location for the extremely anticipated upcoming season of The White Lotus,” stated Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. “The dominion’s unique pure magnificence, wealthy historic websites and various landscapes are the proper settings to share our fascinating tradition, incredible delicacies, top-notch wellness and luxurious choices, and most significantly our individuals and Thai hospitality. Thailand has lengthy been thought-about one of many world’s favourite filming areas. The White Lotus venture will definitely strengthen the dominion’s standing as a most well-liked filming vacation spot and a beacon of experience-based tourism, inspiring much more guests to Wonderful Thailand.”
The vacation spot strains up completely with White’s plans for the most recent installment. “The primary season we highlighted cash after which the second season is intercourse and I feel the third season, it will be possibly a form of satirical and humorous have a look at loss of life in Japanese faith and spirituality,” he stated in a making-of-season 2 video. “It feels prefer it may very well be a wealthy tapestry to do one other spherical 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 retaining mum concerning the storyline for now, he did inform EW, “It is going to be a supersized White Lotus. It is going to be longer, larger, crazier. I do not know what individuals will suppose, however I’m tremendous excited, so no less than for my very own barometer, that is a superb factor … I am tremendous excited concerning the content material of the season.”
The White Lotus seasons 1 and a couple of are actually streaming on Max. The primary installment obtained 20 Emmy nominations throughout 13 classes and noticed 10 wins, probably the most of any present that 12 months. 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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