What will The White Lotus season 2 be about?
While we can't fault season 1's impeccable cast list, it looks like the second season is set for a sizeable shakeup with an all new lineup of actors.
In a statement from HBO, the network confirmed season 2 would depart from its original setting of Hawaii and, "Follow a different group of vacationers as they jet to another White Lotus property and settle in temporarily amongst its inhabitants."
That said, creator, writer and director Mike White admitted to IndieWire that some of the key characters seen in the first season "would come back". We'll gladly take his word for it.
Who will be in the cast of The White Lotus season 2?
As White confirmed, the second season is set to bring a whole new cast to the forefront of its new, just-as-mysterious plot—but don't rule out any character crossovers just yet.
"I don’t think you can credibly have [all the same characters from season 1] on the same vacation again. But maybe it could be a Marvel universe type thing, where some of them would come back," the writer added to TV Line.
However, more recently, Deadline confirmed that White has added his first official new cast member—Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli. According to the publication, the actor and writer will be playing “Dominic Di Grasso, a man travelling with his elderly father and recent college-graduate son”.
As of January 11, Variety confirmed the upcoming season's second cast member, Park And Recreation alum Aubrey Plaza. According to the publication, Plaza will is set to take on a series regular role as "Harper Spiller, a woman on vacation with her husband and his friends".
As of January 18, The Hollywood Reporter announced the addition of Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham (Mythic Quest) and Haley Lu Richardson (Support The Girls). Adam DiMarco (The Magicians) and Tom Hollander (Rev.) will also star. Abraham will play the role of Imperioli’s father, while DiMarco plays his grandson. Richardson will star as Portia, a woman traveling alongside her boss, while Hollander plays a British man traveling with his friends and nephew.
As of February February 10, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Meghann Fahy (The Bold Type), Theo James (Divergent), and Will Sharpe (Landscapers) would be starring as series regulars, with Leo Woodall as a recurring guest. Fahy will star as Daphne Babcock, a woman on vacation with her husband, Cameron (played by James). Sharpe will take on the role of Ethan Spiller (husband of Aubrey Plaza's character, Harper).
Despite theories of a completely new cast for the second season, early rumours suggested that Jennifer Coolidge was expected to return, and thankfully, they're true.
"A world class VIP. Jennifer Coolidge has joined the second installment of The White Lotus," HBO announced on Twitter.
So far, Coolidge is the only season 1 cast member confirmed to return, with no current word on the reappearance of Jake Lacy, Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Natasha Rothwell or Sydney Sweeney.
When will The White Lotus season 2 be released?
There's no confirmed date as to when we can expect a season 2 of The White Lotus. Production has just started in Sicily so the project is more than underway, so perhaps we can look forward to a second instalment around this time next year. Fingers crossed.
