Mike White Teases a Much Darker ‘White Lotus’: “The Other Seasons Were a Rehearsal for This One”

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Get ready for a darker White Lotus, says creator Mike White.

The creator and lead director of HBO’s acclaimed Emmy-winning dark comedy is back with season 3, airing on February 16. In this installment, the story takes us to the Thailand branch of the White Lotus hotel chain, a location that links all seasons in the series.

The one-man show behind HBO’s award-winning black comedy is bringing us season 3 on February 16. This time, we’ll follow the storyline to the Thailand branch of the White Lotus hotel chain, a location that connects all seasons in the series.

However, according to White’s recent interview with Time, the upcoming season, filmed in Thailand, will be significantly darker compared to the previous two seasons that took place in Hawaii and Italy. He also hinted at a more expansive and epic storyline for this installment.

White remarked, “This season feels like the real performance after practicing through the others,” when talking to the show’s media outlet from the set in Phuket.

While discussing his experiences of extended travel and the potential for a vacation to trigger an existential crisis, White expresses it as: “When you’re in a place that’s culturally, linguistically, and atmospherically distinct from your own, and you’re dealing with personal issues heavily, there are instances where you might feel like just stepping into the water could be an option.

In the third installment of “White Lotus,” we find an array of new guests staying at the hotel in Thailand. These include Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Parker Posey, Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Patrick Schwarzenegger and others. Among the staff are Tayme Thapthimthong, Lalisa Manobal from K-pop group Blackpink, and Natasha Rothwell who returns to reprise her role as Belinda, the spa manager from White Lotus Hawaii, a character she played in the first season.

In an interview with Time, Goggins admitted that his character becomes disoriented when he appears in Season 3. He explained, “He’s filled with anger and resentment over the cards life has dealt him.” Furthermore, White acknowledged the absence of Jennifer Coolidge, a two-time Emmy winner from seasons one and two, who played a significant role in the series. He hinted that there are performances given this season that could potentially be as iconic as hers.

He noted that this year’s visitors are all experiencing some form of distress,” he said. “In essence, they seem to be deceased, yet unaware of it. This is because the series delves into profound themes such as confronting the emptiness of existence and explores Buddhist concepts like life, death, and morality, making it increasingly intense.

The initial series focused on money, while the second delved into sexual themes; earlier, White had mentioned that this third installment would offer a humorous and satirical perspective on death, Eastern religions, and spirituality. This new season delves into White’s fascination with Eastern spirituality and wellness routines, as well as his critique of the way Westerners incorporate Eastern medicine in self-care practices.

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The first season primarily centered around money, whereas the second explored sexual themes; previously, White hinted that this third series would present a comedic and critical look at death, Eastern religions, and spirituality. In this new season, we delve into White’s exploration of Eastern spirituality and wellness rituals, as well as his critique of Westerners’ use of Eastern medicine for self-care purposes.

This past year has been quite challenging for me on a personal level,” I find myself expressing more about my inspiration. “My parents are advancing in age, and there’s a multitude of issues arising at home that aren’t exactly enjoyable.

This year’s resort filming took place at the Four Seasons Koh Samui, a popular spot for some of Thailand’s and the world’s wealthiest individuals. Despite the luxurious surroundings, high temperatures during production led several crew members to become unwell towards the end. To maintain peak physical condition before filming, White adopted a vegan diet. During breaks, hair dryers were used to remove sweat stains from cast members’ clothes. “We’re shooting intimate scenes,” said Isaacs, “and you smell terrible. It would be petty to complain, given the troubles in the world, but we’ve all had enough.

In this film production, the shooting process was divided into separate segments for the actors. After a welcoming ceremony that brought everyone together, the team filmed two weeks worth of breakfast sequences, followed by another two weeks of lunch scenes, another two weeks focusing on bedroom-related drama, and finally, two weeks out at sea. This arrangement allowed the cast to grow closer with their on-screen travel companions.

Aimee Lou Wood from the cast remarked that the boundary between fiction and real life is becoming increasingly blurred, as we’re essentially living out the script during production. She finds it quite odd and surreal, as it all feels very self-referential,” explained Aimee Lou Wood, who resided at the hotel alongside filming.

Initially, White had plans to shoot season three in Japan. However, HBO expressed reservations about the bureaucratic hurdles (the “red tape”) and successfully persuaded the creator to change the location of the season to Thailand instead.

White confirmed he reached a decision after being hospitalized due to severe bronchitis. “I couldn’t sleep for about two nights, and by the following morning, an idea for the plot just came to me,” he explained. “The season essentially revolves around what transpired that night.” He described his sleepless state as a fever dream, mentioning that he was given a nebulizer treatment. “I felt like I had figured out the ending,” he continued. “So, I decided, ‘I guess we’re filming in Thailand.’

Besides holding personal TV recollections for White, the location itself is significant. Prior to crafting one of television’s beloved programs, he had participated in reality TV competitions like ‘The Amazing Race’ and ‘Survivor’. In 2001, following their elimination during the Phuket-season of ‘The Amazing Race’, White and his father Mel were isolated on Koh Samui. He expressed that it would have been unfortunate to carry a negative connection with Thailand throughout his life, which is why he decided to transform those Thailand memories into something positive through ‘White Lotus’.

As a fan, I’d express it like this: “There’s an otherworldly charm to the Thailand season, reminiscent of paradise yet subtly eerie. It’s almost as if you’re checking into Hotel California – you may arrive, but leaving becomes an elusive journey.

Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that “The White Lotus” has been given the green light for its fourth installment. Creator Mike White hinted at potential plans for additional seasons, mentioning he has “some concepts” in mind, and even suggesting a possible span of up to six seasons.

For more on season three, here’s everything we know about White Lotus Thailand.

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2025-01-31 07:25