As season two of The White Lotus drew to its close, viewers had several questions—but none more pressing than the obvious: When do we get season three?
Lucky for us, Mike White, who is series’ showrunner, didn’t waste a second before dropping easter eggs about the next season, including potential character reunions and an all-new location.
We even have our first confirmed cast member for the new season—plus our first slew of new faces. Yep, the first guests at the White Lotus for season three have been unveiled. In January 2024, HBO confirmed several actors for the show, including Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs and Michelle Monaghan. Less than a week later, it dropped a further name with Carrie Coon. All are legendary talents, of course. (More on that below)
There was speculation that Jennifer Coolidge, AKA the iconic Tanya McQuaid would return for the third instalment, but that’s looking a little less likely now (those who’ve watched the season 2 finale will know).
That said, the brains behind the script has alluded to her return along with several other exciting snippets about what we can expect.
Below, we unpack everything there is to know about the third season (so far).
Who is in the cast of ‘The White Lotus’ season 3?
The first confirmed cast member for season three was announced in early 2023, and it’s Natasha Rothwell!
Rothwell appeared in season 1 as the kind and generous White Lotus spa manager, Belinda Lindsey. Belinda struck-up a relationship with Jennifer Coolidge’s character, Tanya McQuoid, who promised her she would invest in a business. When the season wrapped, had still not received the investment she was promised.
The question remains, what is Belinda doing at this new White Lotus resort? Is she there as staff or guest? Has news of her ‘miracle’ healing hands spread far and wide? Or did Tanya’s will bequeath Belinda the investment she was promised (and then some)?
As for the rest of the cast, we now have some confirmed new faces – and you’ve probably seen them before. In January 2023, six new cast members were announced. They are:
- Parker Posey (Josie & The Pussycats, You’ve Got Mail)
- Jason Isaacs (the Harry Potter films)
- Leslie Bibb (Iron Man)
- Michelle Monaghan (Made Of Honour, Gone Baby Gone)
- Dom Hetrakul
- Tayme (Maethi) Thapthimthong
- Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age, Fargo)
There are also rumours of a reunion with another season one character. Connie Britton, who played entrepreneur Nicole Mossbacher, told Deadline that while she didn’t reprise her role in season two, there is a strong possibility that she’ll come back for the third instalment.
“[White] wanted me to be in the second season, and there was an idea that I loved for the character,” Britton told the publication.
“A piece of casting didn’t work in the second season and we’re hoping to [do] that in the third season. I would love to see a spin-off on every character in that show.”
White has also alluded to the return of Michael Imperioli’s season two character, Dominic Di Grosso.
“Who knows, maybe there’ll be another White Lotus season where Dominic comes with his wife and they patch it all up!” He told Esquire.
As fans already know, Laura Dern provided the voice to Dominic’s estranged wife (overheard on one very angry phone call)–and wouldn’t it be a waste to not bring the Oscar-winning actress to the imperilled resort chain?
Who Are ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Characters?
Deadline has reported that the show will follow 13 characters in season three. According to the outlet, the roles will feature a “sprawling, multi-generational cast” of characters ranging in ages from 18 to 80.
So far, we know the characters will include the following:
- A patriarch
- A corporate executive
- An actress
- A couple of mothers
- A misfit
- A yogi
We can also assume that we will meet a new resort owner and some of the staff.
Where will The White Lotus season 3 be set?
Mike White has basically confirmed Thailand as the setting for The White Lotus season three.
“It’s hard to think about the next race,” he told Deadline shortly after turning in the final episode of season two aired. “But if we did, I think it’d be fun to maybe go to a whole different continent. You know, we did Europe, and maybe Asia, something crazy like that, that would be fun.”
Since then, Variety reported that the official location is Thailand. Please excuse us while we let out a scream of excitement.
The intel comes courtesy of a few sources close to the production.
But with the vibrant, bustling capital city of Bangkok and the relaxed, crystal clear islands of Phi Phi, (along with other wanderlust-inducing destinations), at their disposal, we can’t help but think that Thailand is the perfect place for a “holiday”.
Given the fact that both the first and second season of The White Lotus was filmed at a Four Seasons resort, we can also bet that HBO have already booked out one of Thailand’s four luxe hotel locations for production. We wonder if they’re looking for any extras…
What is the plot of The White Lotus season 3?
While the plot is yet to be developed, we do know that season three will follow a new group of guests at another White Lotus property.
As hinted with the location rumours, White suggested season three would focus on a theme of “spirituality”.
“The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex,” White said. “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.”
Given the film’s location, there’s a strong chance the series will follow that thought…
When will season three of The White Lotus be released?
While we were hoping that we wouldn’t have too long to wait until the third season of The White Lotus arrives, it turns out that we’re going to have to wait until 2025.
HBO and Max CEO Casey Bloys told reporters in New York City that the writers and ongoing actors’ strikes have impacted the show’s production, stating “‘White Lotus’ Season 3 probably would have been in play for 2024, it’s 2025.”
Where can you watch The White Lotus?
Stream ‘The White Lotus’ on Binge on demand with a 7 day free trial.
