As soon as HBO's The White Lotus season two came to a triumphant (but also devastating) end, we immediately anticipated the next one. Thankfully, we didn't have long to wait as the third season was officially confirmed pretty quickly. And now that we know Emmy-winning show will be returning for another exciting whodunnit, all eyes are on the anticipated cast - especially now that the first look teaser for the upcoming series has been released.
The White Lotus has had audiences engrossed in epic landscapes (Hawaii then Sicily), and also entangled in the complex web of characters. Who knew that by the end of last series we’d all be rooting for a pair of scheming escorts? As the third seasons looms, we still have many burning questions – and hopefully they will all be answered soon.
What might The White Lotus season three be about?
We can assume that, much like previous seasons, several groups of people will find themselves on holiday at the same hotel as problems begin to reveal themselves. And, as seen in the first episode of both seasons, a dead body will likely be discovered by the end.
Whilst it is highly unlikely we will know the full plot of season three before it airs, creator and director Mike White has teased some plot points. He previously revealed to Variety, 'The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex... I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.'
Mike White also hinted that parts of season two could carry over into the third. Namely, the murder-for-hire plot involving Greg - Tanya’s husband - (Jon Gries) and Portia (Haley Lu Richardson) - her assistant - who was only starting to put the pieces together following the death of Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge).
He shared, 'I think as far as like, what happens to Greg and the conspiracy of Tanya’s death, it’s possible that I think Portia is scared enough to just leave it alone, but the fact that all of those guys die on the boat, it feels like there’s gotta be somebody who’s gonna track it back down to Greg. But maybe you’ll have to wait to find out what happens.'
Where will The White Lotus season three be set?
After wrapping production on The White Lotus' second season in Sicily, creator Mike White hinted that he already had a destination for season three in mind.
Variety eventually confirmed the news, reporting the third season of the HBO drama will take place in Thailand. Then paparazzi pictures emerged showing the cast - including Patrick Schwarzenegger - on location in Thailand.
As the first two seasons were shot at Four Seasons resorts in Hawaii and Italy, respectively, it’s possible that season three will take place at one of the luxury hotel giant’s four properties in Thailand, which are located in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and the Golden Triangle. Thailand’s Four Seasons resorts are spread across the city, country, jungle and beach, giving Mike White plenty of settings to play with.
When was The White Lotus season three confirmed?
HBO announced a third season was officially happening with a tweet on 18 November. It read, 'You already know The White Lotus is to die for. Book your next vacation now. #TheWhiteLotus has been renewed for Season 3.'
Who will be in The White Lotus season three?
Last year, Mike White reportedly told season one star Connie Britton that her character, Nicole, could return to the show. 'He wanted me to be in the second season, and there was an idea that I loved for the character,' Britton told Deadline. 'Our intention is to do it in the third season. 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 spinoff on every character in that show.'
There have also been rumours that Danny Devito could be joining the cast after he was spotted out for dinner with the show's creator Mike White. Meanwhile, actor Dakota Fanning was also seen hiking with one of the producers. It's safe to say the rumour mill has been sent into overdrive with all the secrecy surrounding the casting process.
Plus, after the success of the past two seasons, several stars have publicly thrown their hats in the ring. Absolutely Fabulous actor Joanna Lumley revealed she’s a huge fan and told heat magazine, ‘Please, just quietly put my name under the door for that one.’ Jennifer Aniston has also said she'd love to play Jennifer Coolidge's sister.
Meet the cast
Now, onto the officially confirmed cast....
The third season will see Natasha Rothwell, who played the hotel spa manager from season one, reprise her Emmy-nominated role as Belinda. In the first season, Belinda entered a complicated relationship with Jennifer Coolidge's Tanya (who is, of course, the victim and central character in season two).
Speaking about her return with Variety she shared, 'I gasped out loud a minimum of five times and this was just me reading them. The scripts are a testament to Mike's skill and ability to tell the most smart and entertaining stories.
'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!'
According to reports, she will be joined by Walton Goggins (Justified, The Shield), Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill, Impeachment: American Crime Story), Sam Nivola (Maestro, White Noise), Patrick Schwarzenegger (Gen V, The Staircase), and Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education, Living) have all joined the third season of the hit HBO series. The teaser trailer released on 11 November also revealed that Blackpink's Lisa will be playing a staff member at The White Lotus Thailand.
And don't forget the previously announced cast members: Leslie Bibb (Iron Man, About My Father), Dom Hetrakul (The Two Fates), Jason Isaacs (Peter Pan), Michelle Monaghan (Maid of Honour, True Detective), Parker Posey (Dazed and Confused, Scream 3), and Tayme Thapthimthong (Resurrection) as well as Miloš Biković (The Peasant), Christian Friedel (Babylon Berlin), Morgana O’Reilly (Mean Mums), Lek Patravadi (The White Lotus season one), and Shalini Peiris (The Ark).
Will Jennifer Coolidge be in The White Lotus season three?
We know, we know - this is the real question we all want answered. After Jennifer Coolidge's portrayal as Tanya McQuoid, she's become the nation's (world's?) sweetheart. Her phenomenal performance won her and Emmy for best supporting actress, Golden Globe and a SAG Award. From her iconic one-liners to hilarious award show speeches - we all want her back.
However, there is one tiny detail that might derail all our hopes and dreams: Tanya died at end of season two. Tanya tragically slipped off the side of a yacht and fell to her death and in doing so our hopes for getting Jennifer back also died. And at the 2024 Emmys, she confirmed she's 'definitely out' but hopes to visit her former colleagues on set of season three.
Mike White has also squashed any hope of any kind of return in the upcoming third season. 'He sort of sticks to his guns,' Jennifer told E! News back in January. 'He’s an amazing friend, but I think he made his decision. He wanted a big, dramatic, Italian, you know, operatic ending for White Lotus two, and he wanted to sacrifice Tanya.'
When will The White Lotus season three be released?
Season three of The White Lotus was only confirmed in November 2022, so it's hard to know for sure. However, we have been told the show won't be with us until 2025 due to delays following the SAG-AFTRA strikes, but it's set to be a 'supersized' season regardless.
Is there are trailer for The White Lotus season three?
We've finally been gifted a teaser trailer by the big bosses at HBO which surely means that it won't be long until The White Lotus season three airs.
Where will The White Lotus season three air?
Much like the previous series, season three will be airing on HBO Max in the US, and on Sky Atlantic, Sky Go and NOW in the UK.
Daisy Hall is a News and Entertainment writer on Grazia, specialising in TV and film meaning that you can count on Daisy for the latest (and best) recommendations.