‘The White Lotus’ Stars React to Finale Deaths and Where Their Characters Ended Up: “We Were All Crying Backstage”

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[This story contains major spoilers from The White Lotus season three finale, “Amor Fati.”]

On Sunday evening, the final episode of the third season of “The White Lotus” was screened. Ten actors from the series convened at the Four Seasons Westlake Village hotel to view the episode collectively and share their instant reactions.

At the final event, Jason Isaacs, Leslie Bibb, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Aimee Lou Wood, Tayme Thapthimthong, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola, Jon Gries, Nicholas Duvernay, and Charlotte Le Bon gathered to watch the climax. They all felt deeply as they saw Chelsea (portrayed by Wood), Rick (Walton Goggins) and Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn) meet their tragic ends for the first time.

Backstage, we huddled together, tears streaming down our faces, as I confided to the audience, “I’m not sure if this moment signifies the conclusion of our journey or if it’s just the overwhelming emotion of such a captivating narrative.” As a gamer, I can relate – sometimes, the closing of an epic game leaves us with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation for the next adventure.

She found herself quite affected by the demise of her character, mentioning that for nearly two weeks prior to filming, she felt strangely off-balance. It seemed as though a strange, foreboding presence had settled upon us, and then on the day we filmed, it was as if the temperature reached an unprecedented high, and Walton had to support me numerous times due to the intense heat.

She added, “Chelsea’s uncertain about the future, but I have some insight. It’s quite an unusual situation.” She pondered that it seemed to mirror her feelings, which is peculiar. However, she acknowledged it’s not yet fully understood or comprehended.

In Thapthimthong’s portrayal, the security guard character Gaitok fires at Rick while Rick is attempting to aid an injured Chelsea. According to the actor, she initially hesitated, thinking they could engage in a standoff instead of shooting Rick from behind. However, after discussing with creator Mike White, she trusted that it would be justified. Unfortunately, Wood’s character appears saddened by this turn of events.

During the final episode, there were more developments involving the Ratliff family. The elder Ratliff decided to concoct a plot to poison his kin, but at the very end, he reconsidered this plan. Unfortunately, it was Lachlan, the youngest son, who unintentionally ingested the poison and came close to dying.

Afterward, the group makes their way back to their lives that were about to be disrupted, as Isaacs pondered about the future, “It seems like the Ratliff wing at Duke University has been demolished. Interestingly, among all the characters Mike introduces here, it’s him who truly experiences genuine spiritual awakening in the end, and he appears content when he gazes into the water at the finale.

What’s their fate? They’ll need to find employment, Isaacs quipped about the others playfully. ‘That might not go down easily for Victoria,’ he said. ‘I don’t think they’ll struggle, but I bet they won’t be comfortable in massive mansions with oversized electric cars like Teslas,’ he added humorously.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, my character took one heck of a beating in the final act. Those two ladies and my on-screen brother really gave me a run for my money! I was only privy to my character’s lines in the finale, still trying to wrap my head around that intense ending.

I can’t help but tear up thinking about Wood’s fate. The finale hit me hard. It’s a strange sensation, spending so much time with such a fantastic cast, and then watching someone fall… it feels like a piece of reality has been shattered. I don’t know how to put it into words, but it’s like something truly significant has happened.

Hook commented on her character’s decision to avoid spending a year at a Thai monastery, stating, “I suppose she takes after her mother,” and praised the narrative, saying, “She’s just a wealthy young lady, and that’s what makes ‘The White Lotus’ so captivating. And interestingly enough, I feel like she essentially went against the grain compared to the other characters who found enlightenment, with Piper instead grappling with her spoiled nature.

Nivola expressed about simulating Lochlan’s near-death, “It was incredibly emotional. I hadn’t died in anything before, and I didn’t in this! It was thrilling to have the chance to do so, like it was a fresh, unusual experience to act out dying.” Meanwhile, Bibb pondered over the adoration of her character’s trio with Carrie Coon and Michelle Monaghan, reminiscing about when they first read the scripts, and the actresses were “like, eh, our storyline seems rather dull. Compared to, like, troublemakers… we were like, ‘No, you’re exceptional. Oh my goodness, did you see what she was up to?'” However, when a crew member told her their storyline was his favorite, Bibb responded, “I looked at Michelle and I thought, maybe we’re not stuck. Maybe something will happen.

Previously appearing in each of the last three seasons, Gries expressed doubts about returning for the fourth, stating, “I’m not sure, but I’m also not certain. The most I can say is that each time I depart, I believe it to be the end.

In summary, Wood praised the finale for its optimistic tone and tender emotions. He found the bonds formed between the women and within the family to be remarkably free of cynicism, an unexpectedly heartwarming aspect given the context of “The White Lotus.” The scene was incredibly touching, he emphasized.

Clearly, I’ve been feeling incredibly sad since I thought I might die, as if Mike took away all hope, because Chelsea was my hope. But then, just now, I saw so much love in what happened, which makes it even more painful because I have to hold onto both the love and the pain at once. Isn’t that what life is though? It’s full of love and pain simultaneously.

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2025-04-07 08:24