The White Lotus, creator Mike White’s Emmy-winning social satire, is officially returning with season 3 set to begin filming in Thailand in February. Like the first two, the new installment will take place at another one of the luxury hotel’s exotic locations, where a new group of guests and employees will find their lives clashing in unexpected ways.
With production almost underway, HBO has officially announced the location and location of the upcoming third season of The White Lotus.
Now, ET is exploring everything we know so far about the cast, location and plot — including White’s latest hints and what many of the sprawling ensemble have previously said about returning.
In January, HBO announced the cast of season 3 of The White Lotus. Leslie Bibb, Dom Htrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, and Tayme Thapthimthong are all set to sign up for the series, along with cast member Natasha announced in the past. Rothwell, who reprises her role as Belinda Lindsey Spa Director in the inaugural season in Hawaii.
“I can’t say anything. I literally can’t,” Rothwell told ET in December. “I will say that I’ve read all the scripts and other people are going to enjoy it. It’s bigger than ever. Buckle up. “
Many enthusiasts have wondered in the past whether Jennifer Coolidge would return as Tanya McQuiod, the grieving houseguest who found solace in Greg Hunt (Jon Gries) in Season 1 before their love story began to unravel in Season 2. The actress won her first Primetime Emmy for season 1 and was nominated again for Retaliation.
In an interview with Deadline, White said he couldn’t believe he’d do another episode without her. “Jennifer is my friend and everyone enjoyed her in the first season, and I said, ‘I can’t go to Italy without Jennifer. ‘Maybe it still is, maybe you can’t make it to Japan without Jennifer either.
And Coolidge is open to more. ” Yes, yes. Absolutely,” he replied to ET when asked about his comeback, before adding, “I mean, I don’t know what Mike has in mind. But yes, I would love [to go back]. “
However, based on the season 2 finale, Coolidge’s involvement with the series has come to an end.
While Rothwell is the only returning star tapped for this season, there are still plenty of other White Lotus alum who would jump at the chance to check in again. White previously told Deadline, “There are so many fun actors we’ve worked with so far, so it’s just kind of like who’s available.”
Prior to the announcement of her role reprisal, Rothwell previously gushed, “I will follow Mike White to the ends of the earth.” Her upcoming material could be a way to tie up loose ends involving Tanya’s storyline, which may need some closure following the events of season 2.
Throughout Season 1, several told ET that they were willing to return to stay at 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 said, confirming that he’s “100 percent” in if White wants him to reprise his role as demanding guest Shane Patton.
Alexandra Daddario, who played Shane’s wife, Rachel, is also expected to return. “If he had an idea, then sure,” he said. I would do anything. . . To be a small component of the exhibit is incredible. “
As for the other Season 1 stars, Connie Britton, who played mom and entrepreneur Nicole Mossbacher, said, “Hopefully, it could be in season. “
After the finale, Britton’s on-screen daughter, Sydney Sweeney, said there had been conversations with the series about the option of returning, and the Euphoria star revealed that she was open to any direction the author took in the future. “I’m so excited for Mike,” she said. Mike’s writing is very funny and surprising. “
As for the actors of season 2, there are many who need to return, especially now that it is known who made it out of Sicily alive.
When asked if she could return as Harper Spiller, Aubrey Plaza replied, “I hope so. It depends on whether I’m a fan favorite. I think, you know, it just depends on who other people want. “]. ” F. Murray Abraham, who plays the aging patriarch Bert Di Grasso, has said he needs to return for Season 3, as well as Seasons 4 through 6, if there are that many. “But I’m glad I did this one,” he said.
One guest that enthusiasts know is alive and well is Daphne Babcock (Meghann Fahy), who found herself vacationing with Harper and her two husbands at the Sicilian estate before finding a mysterious frame in the water. “Oh my God, of course,” Fahy said. I mean, I’d pass out in season three. It’s an incredible setting. Just watching everyone paint. The cast is amazing and watching Mike paint is great. I mean, I absolutely would. Being there, of course.
Unfortunately, the user who can’t back down is Murray Bartlett as Season 1’s hotel manager, Armand. That is, unless we “go back in time or something,” he suggested. And that turns out to be an unlikely turning point for the series. .
The White Lotus season 3 will be set in Thailand, with filming to take place in and around Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok. HBO announced in January that it is working directly with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to support the filming and production of the show.
“We are honored to have Amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of The White Lotus,” said 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 destination lines up perfectly with White’s plans for the newest 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 said in a making-of-season 2 video. “It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus.”
Not only that but the Four Seasons, which has served as the filming location in the first two seasons, has multiple luxury hotels in the country. (In season 1, the Four Seasons Maui served as the White Lotus property while Four Seasons San Domenico Palace was stand-in for the property in season 2.)
The Plot
Although White is staying mum on the story for now, he told EW: “It’s going to be an oversized White Lotus. It’s going to be longer and bigger and crazier. I don’t know what other people will think, but me. ” I’m really excited, so at least by my own barometer, that’s a smart thing. . . I’m really excited about the content of the season.
Seasons 1 and 2 of White Lotus are now streaming on HBO Max. The first installment earned 20 Emmy nominations in thirteen categories and scored 10 wins, the most of any exhibition that year. The second season earned 23 Emmy nominations, and the winners will be announced at the Primetime Emmy Awards rite on Jan. 15.
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