What we can expect from season 3 of 'The White Lotus'
- HBO's anthology series "The White Lotus" will return for a third season.
- Natasha Rothwell will return as Belinda. New cast members include Carrie Coon and Jason Isaacs.
A new batch of wealthy vacationers will check into the lavish White Lotus resort when HBO's "The White Lotus" returns for season three.
Since premiering in 2021, each season of Mike White's "The White Lotus" has focused on a new group of rich people visiting the titular resort chain — but not everyone makes it out of the resort alive.
Here's what to expect when the Emmy-winning anthology series returns for season three.
Season 3 will be set in Thailand
Season one occurred in Hawaii, and season two was set in Sicily, Italy. White first alluded to Asia being the next destination in a featurette released after the season two finale.
"The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex," he 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."
In March, Variety reported that season three would take place in Thailand.
Natasha Rothwell will reprise her role as Belinda Lindsey
Rothwell played a spa owner on season one of "The White Lotus."
Throughout the season, Jennifer Coolidge's character, Tanya McQuoid, strung Belinda along and gave her hope that she'd fund her dream of developing a wellness center.
Tanya ultimately backed out of the deal, leaving Belinda disillusioned.
first reported Rothwell's return in April. She teased season three during an interview with Vanity Fair at the LA premiere of Wonka in December, saying that she "gasped out loud a minimum of five times" while reading the scripts.
"The scripts are a testament to Mike's skill and ability to tell the most smart and entertaining stories," Rothwell said. "I mean, everything that he does is like a lesson to me as an actor and a performer. And as a writer myself, he takes folks on a journey. Everyone needs to buckle up, because it's going to get real!"
The new cast includes Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle Monaghan
HBO announced the following castings in January: Leslie Bibb ("American Housewife"), Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs ("Harry Potter"), Michelle Monaghan ("Mission: Impossible"), Parker Posey ("Beau Is Afraid"), Tayme Thapthimthong, and Carrie Coon ("The Gilded Age").
Mike White described the new season as 'supersized'
It's unclear if this means that the season will contain more episodes or that the episodes will be longer — or both.
"It's going to be a supersized 'White Lotus,'" White told Entertainment Weekly in November. "It's going to be longer, bigger, crazier. I don't know what people will think, but I am super excited, so at least for my own barometer, that's a good thing.
"I'm super excited about the content of the season," he added.
Season 3 will likely be released in 2025
Production was delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.
During a presentation in early November, HBO and Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys said that "The White Lotus" is eyeing a 2025 premiere.
Season three will begin production in and around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok in February, HBO announced in January.