Will we be checking in to the White Lotus one more time? I think I speak for literally everyone when I say thank god, because we are. The first season of the show focused on Hawaii, the second has transported us to Italy, and I’m thankful that HBO and Mike White will get to keep checking off locales that are also conveniently on my bucket list. Here’s what we know about whether there will be another season of the now GOLDEN GLOBE–WINNING SHOW The White Lotus.
So, is season 3 happening?
YES. HBO announced that the show is renewed for season 3 back in November 2022, and can I just say, thank god?
And there’s been some reporting that the next season of the show will take place in…drumroll, please…Thailand! When season 2 ended, creator Mike White hinted that the third could take place somewhere in Asia. “I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus.”
There was never actually supposed to be a season 2 of the show. Season 1 was categorized as a miniseries. But because White figured out a formula for season 2, it feels like he could replicate that for as many seasons as he wants. Like he said, what’s stopping them from doing versions of this in every major city in the world? (Money, probably. And time. But whatever!)
When will it be coming back?
Sadly, our check-in time isn’t until 2025, HBO and Max CEO and Chairman Casey Bloys confirmed at a press event in November 2023. The series was moved back from its original 2024 date, but there’s no word if it’ll be early or late 2025.
And, according to a November 2023 report by Deadline, filming for season 3 is “tentatively slated to begin in early February in Thailand.” So, at least we know production is moving swimmingly (for now, anyway)!
Who will return?
Based on what White did for season 2, it’s fair to assume that almost everyone in the cast would be replaced with new guests. [Spoiler alert for the season 2 finale.] But despite some earlier fake-outs, it looks like Jennifer Coolidge, the one returning cast member for season 2, won’t return for season 3 because she, uh, died in the finale.
White addressed this in that same interview with Deadline, which is why I say there were some fake-outs on this one. “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. There are so many fun actors we’ve worked with so far, so it’s just kind of like who’s available.”
So although Jen likely won’t be returning to the series, someone whose storyline was closely entwined with hers during season 1 just might. 👀 Yep, it looks like Natasha Rothwell, aka White Lotus spa manager Belinda Lindsey, will return for the show’s next installment, according to multiple sources close to the production. Oh, and the actor herself via her Instagram:
If you recall from way back when, Belinda was highkey strung along by Tanya with the promise of a massive investment to open her own practice…and we all know how that turned out, sadly. But who knows?! Maybe this season, she’ll finally get to make it happen, in which case I’ll be beyond thrilled because she really deserves it! That said, if you have any other dream casting ideas for White Lotus season 3, please feel free to find me in my DMs.
Who has been cast in The White Lotus season 3?
Dear reader, Deadline just came through with all-new deets on The White Lotus season 3 in November 2023, and there’s honestly so much to look forward to. Sources say that the *very* day that the SAG-AFTRA strike ended, the show started the casting process for its upcoming season.
Who are these new characters, you might ask? Thirteen roles are up for grabs (nine of them being series regulars, btw), including “a patriarch, a corporate executive, an actress, a couple of mothers, a misfit, and a yogi among the bunch.”
On January 5, 2023, Variety reported that several new cast members are checking into the White Lotus this season, including Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, and Tayme Thapthimthong.
It sounds like we’ll be in for a treat, as per ush. 👀
What will S3 be about?
That’s another big question. Season 1 focused mostly on race and class, and while all of that does come into play in season 2 as well, this one is focused a lot more on gender and sexual politics. It’s possible these could be the main themes going forward and the discussion about them would continue instead of picking a new topic to focus on.
But if they do take the show to Asia, it could be really interesting to play around with and examine the culture clash between (American) tourists and the people who actually live in that region of the world, especially in regards to religion, like White said. There’s a lot to talk about there!
But the real question, when will people stop checking in to White Lotus resorts?
Like, how many bodies have to pile up before people stop going to White Lotus locations?! Seriously. Rich people are so dumb.
