The third season of The White Lotus, an American satirical comedy-drama anthology television series created, written, and directed by Mike White, premiered on HBO on February 16, 2025. The season was greenlit on November 18, 2022, and was filmed in Bangkok, Phuket, and Ko Samui from February to August 2024.
| The White Lotus | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
 Promotional poster | |
| Showrunner | Mike White |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Original release | February 16, 2025 – present |
| Season chronology | |
The season features an ensemble cast of Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood and Jon Gries. The season consists of eight episodes.
Cast and characters
editMain
edit- Leslie Bibb as Kate Bohr, a country club wife from Austin, Texas, one of three longtime friends reuniting on a girls' trip[1][2]
- Carrie Coon as Laurie Duffy, a corporate lawyer and recent divorcée from New York, one of three longtime friends reuniting on a girls' trip[1][2]
- Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett, a rugged and mysterious man with a chip on his shoulder, traveling with his young girlfriend Chelsea[1][2]
- Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff, a college senior studying religion and middle child of Timothy and Victoria[1][2]
- Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff, a financier in jeopardy from Durham, North Carolina, vacationing with his wife, Victoria, and kids Saxon, Piper and Lochlan[1][2]
- Lalisa Manobal as Thidapon "Mook" Sornsin, a health mentor for guests of the White Lotus[1][2]
- Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn Lemon, a successful television actress based in Hollywood, one of three longtime friends reuniting on a girls' trip[1][2]
- Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff, a shy high school senior and Timothy and Victoria's youngest child[1][2]
- Lek Patravadi as Sritala Hollinger, one of the owners of the White Lotus, who pioneered its health program[1][2]
- Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff, Timothy's wife and mother to Saxon, Piper and Lochlan[1][2]
- Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey, a spa manager from the White Lotus in Hawaii, attending a work exchange. Rothwell reprises her role from the first season.
- Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon Ratliff, Timothy and Victoria's oldest child, who works for his father's company[1][2]
- Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok, a security guard at the White Lotus[1][2]
- Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea, a bubbly free spirit from Manchester traveling with Rick, her much older boyfriend[1][2]
- Jon Gries as "Gary"[3] / Greg Hunt,[a] a man involved with Chloe and the widower of Tanya McQuoid. Gries reprises his role from the first and second seasons.
Recurring
edit- Nicholas Duvernay as Zion Lindsey, Belinda's son who is visiting her after finishing his coursework
- Arnas Fedaravičius as Valentin, a Russian health mentor for Jaclyn, Laurie and Kate
- Christian Friedel as Fabian, the general manager of Thailand's The White Lotus
- Dom Hetrakul as Pornchai, the wellness expert at the White Lotus who is assigned to train Belinda
- Charlotte Le Bon as Chloe, an ex-model French-Canadian expat who is currently dating Greg
- Morgana O'Reilly as Pam, a staff member involved in the hotel's wellness program and health mentor for the Ratliffs
- Shalini Peiris as Amrita, a meditation teacher and spiritual counselor at the White Lotus
- Scott Glenn as Jim Hollinger, Sritala's American husband who has recently suffered a stroke
- Julian Kostov
Guest
edit- Ke Huy Quan as the voice of Kenneth "Kenny" Nguyen, Timothy's former business partner[4]
- Carl Boudreaux and Natalie Cole as two hotel guests[5]
Episodes
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title [6] | Directed by [9] | Written by [8] | Original release date [7] | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "Same Spirits, New Forms" | Mike White | Mike White | February 16, 2025 | 0.420[10] | |
|
Zion, the young son of White Lotus Maui spa manager Belinda, is joining his mother on a visit to the White Lotus in Ko Samui, Thailand. He begins a session with the hotel's meditation counselor before being interrupted by repeated gunfire nearby. While scrambling through a pond to look for his mother, Zion discovers a dead body. One week earlier, a group of new guests arrive at the White Lotus. Middle-aged Rick Hatchett arrives with his much younger British girlfriend Chelsea. Rick is upset to learn that Jim Hollinger, the hotel owner's husband, is not present. Wealthy businessman Timothy Ratliff arrives with his wife Victoria and their grown children Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan. Timothy receives several calls from a journalist working on a story about possible illegal activity by his former business partner, Kenny Nguyen. Jaclyn, a popular TV actress, arrives with her childhood friends Kate and Laurie. Security guard Gaitok flirts with health mentor Mook after giving her a ride to work. Left by Rick to drink at the bar alone, Chelsea befriends ex-model Chloe, whose boyfriend is revealed to be Greg, Tanya McQuoid's widower. | |||||||
| 15 | 2 | "Special Treatments" | Mike White | Mike White | February 23, 2025 | TBD | |
|
Kate and Jaclyn discuss Laurie's messy divorce and her troubled daughter while Laurie is out of the room. Later, when Jaclyn is absent, Kate gossips with Laurie about Jaclyn's suspected narcissism and questions her marriage to her much younger husband. At breakfast, Kate approaches Victoria, revealing they had met at a baby shower a decade earlier, but Victoria awkwardly rebuffs her. At Chelsea's insistence, Rick attends a meditation session with the hotel's counselor, and he opens up slightly about his traumatic childhood. Gaitok reveals his true feelings to Mook, but she gently dismisses his advances. Later, Valentin distracts Gaitok at the security gate, and a robbery occurs at the hotel boutique where Chelsea and Chloe are shopping. Belinda and Pornchai exchange massages. Piper is upset by her brothers' comments and questions about her sex life. When Chelsea and Rick dine with Chloe and Greg in the evening, Greg is evasive about the details of his life. Timothy continues receiving calls from high-profile publications about his potential involvement in a major money laundering operation and finally connects with Kenny, who believes he is certain to be arrested and threatens suicide. After overhearing hotel owner Sritala's plans to visit her husband in a Bangkok hospital; Rick tells Chelsea he must leave briefly to go to Bangkok. | |||||||
| 16 | 3 | "The Meaning of Dreams" | Mike White | Mike White | March 2, 2025 | TBD | |
| 17 | 4 | "Hide or Seek" | Mike White | Mike White | March 9, 2025 | TBD | |
| 18 | 5 | "Full-Moon Party" | Mike White | Mike White | March 16, 2025 | TBD | |
| 19 | 6 | TBA | Mike White | Mike White | March 23, 2025 | TBD | |
| 20 | 7 | TBA | Mike White | Mike White | March 30, 2025 | TBD | |
| 21 | 8 | TBA | Mike White | Mike White | April 6, 2025 | TBD | |
Production
editDevelopment
editOn November 18, 2022, preceding the premiere of the second season, HBO renewed The White Lotus for a third season.[11] Following the second-season finale, series creator Mike White hinted that the third season would be set in Asia and invoke a "satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality", similar to how the first season focused on money, and the second season on sex.[12] The third season's production was disrupted by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, resulting in the release being pushed to 2025.[13][14]
Casting
editUpon the third-season renewal announcement, producers confirmed that there will be a new cast of characters in another White Lotus resort.[15] In April 2023, Natasha Rothwell was reported to be reprising her role as Belinda for the series' third season.[16] In January 2024, it was announced that Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Dom Hetrakul, Tayme Thapthimthong,[17] Carrie Coon,[18] Miloš Biković, Christian Friedel, Morgana O'Reilly, Lek Patravadi, Shalini Peiris,[19] Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Aimee Lou Wood,[20] Francesca Corney, Nicholas Duvernay, and Arnas Fedaravičius joined the cast for the season.[21] Biković's casting was criticized by Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs over his alleged support for Russia's invasion of the country; Biković was subsequently dropped from the cast on February 2, and replaced with Julian Kostov,[22][23] who will appear in a recurring capacity.[7] In February 2024, Scott Glenn and Lalisa Manobal were cast in the season.[24][25] In March 2024, Charlotte Le Bon joined the cast to replace Corney in a re-casting.[26]
Filming
editIn March 2023, Variety reported that filming for the third season was likely to take place in one of the Four Seasons hotels in Thailand.[27] Honshu, Japan was scouted as a filming location by Mike White, but ultimately Thailand was chosen as the filming location for the third season due to the series receiving a $4.4 million tax incentive for filming in Thailand, while Japan does not have a film-incentive system.[28] Principal photography began in February 2024, with locations including Bangkok, Phuket, and Ko Samui,[29][30][31][32] and wrapped in August 2024.[9]
Release
editThe third season premiered on February 16, 2025, on HBO.[33][34]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 104 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's consensus reads, "Darker and more patient with its storytelling than previous seasons while brandishing a superb new ensemble full of acidic performances, The White Lotus' third season offers a spiritual respite that shivs the soul."[35] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 78 out of 100, based on 41 critic reviews.[36]
Notes
edit- ^ Gries is billed among the main cast from the second episode onwards.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Season three of the Sky Exclusive series The White Lotus, from Mike White debuts 17 February". Sky Group. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "The White Lotus S3 | Character Descriptions". Warner Bros. Discovery Pressroom. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Specter, Emma (February 24, 2025). "Who's Who on Season 3 of The White Lotus? A Character Guide to Help You Keep All Your Guest Stars Straight". Vogue. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Gomez, Dessi (February 23, 2025). "Who Is The Mysterious Caller In 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Episode 2?". Deadline. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (February 17, 2025). "Natalie Cole reveals White Lotus cameo happened after Mike White 'did not like' her on Survivor". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Shows A-Z - white lotus, the on hbo". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Picurro, Allison (December 16, 2024). "The White Lotus Season 3 Trailer Has Us Booking Tickets to Thailand". TV Guide. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ "The White Lotus". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Maddox, Bentley (August 10, 2024). "White Lotus Season 3: Patrick Schwarzenegger Shares First Look After Wrapping Filming". E! Online. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (February 19, 2025). "Sunday Ratings: 'Saturday Night Live' 50th Anniversary Special is NBC's Most-Watched Prime Time Entertainment Program in Five Years". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
- ^ Swift, Andy (November 18, 2022). "The White Lotus Renewed for Season 3 With Another New Cast and Location". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (December 11, 2022). "'The White Lotus': Mike White Hints at Asia-Set Season 3 Focused on 'Death and Eastern Religion'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 26, 2023). "HBO Drama Chief Francesca Orsi On 'Succession' Finale & WGA Strike; 'The Last Of Us', 'House Of The Dragon', 'White Lotus', 'Euphoria' Updates & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (November 2, 2023). "'White Lotus' Season 3, 'It' Prequel Series Likely Moving to 2025, HBO Boss Says". Variety. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ Swift, Andy (November 18, 2022). "The White Lotus Renewed for Season 3 With Another New Cast and Location". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Hailu, Selome (April 19, 2023). "'The White Lotus' Sets Natasha Rothwell to Return for Season 3 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2024). "'The White Lotus': Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Dom Hetrakul & Tayme Thapthimthong Cast In Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Nemetz, Dave (January 9, 2024). "The White Lotus Adds Carrie Coon to Season 3 Cast". TVLine. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 12, 2024). "'The White Lotus' Adds 5 To Season 3 Cast Of HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (January 16, 2024). "'White Lotus' Season 3 Casts Walton Goggins, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Aimee Lou Wood, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola". Variety. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 22, 2024). "'The White Lotus' Adds 3 To Season 3 Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Porter, Rick (February 2, 2024). "'The White Lotus' Drops Milos Bikovic After Ukraine Controversy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 6, 2024). "'The White Lotus': Julian Kostov Joins Season 3 In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (February 7, 2024). "'White Lotus' Season 3 Casts Scott Glenn". Variety. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (February 12, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa Joins 'White Lotus' Season 3 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (March 15, 2024). "Charlotte Le Bon Joins 'The White Lotus' Season 3 In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ Shanfeld, Ethan; Hailu, Selome (March 27, 2023). "'The White Lotus' Season 3 Will Be Set in Thailand (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ Maglio, Tony (October 25, 2023). "'The White Lotus' Season 3 Got a $4.4 Million Rebate to Shoot in Thailand, Not Japan". IndieWire. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cobb, Ellie (February 8, 2024). "White Lotus 3 Thailand filming locations revealed". BBC. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (March 16, 2024). "'The White Lotus' Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Stöhr, Maria (October 27, 2024). "»The White Lotus«-Staffel 3 auf Ko Samui, Thailand: Der perfekte Ort für Schweinereien". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Klawans, Justin (February 13, 2024). "'White Lotus' Season 3 Has Officially Begun Filming in Thailand". Collider. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (December 16, 2024). "'White Lotus' Season 3 Trailer: Natasha Rothwell Returns With Hot, Troubled Vacationers in Thailand". Variety. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Swift, Andy (November 18, 2022). "The White Lotus Renewed for Season 3 With Another New Cast and Location". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ "The White Lotus: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "The White Lotus: Season 3". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2025.