Now that season three of The White Lotus has ended, the show's creator Mike White has left his army of admirers wanting more. Not only is he a talented writer, director, producer and actor, but White has proved himself to be a bit of an icon during The White Lotus press run too.
In response to criticism that the third season was the 'slowest' and most 'boring' yet, White said, 'I'm edging you! Enjoy the edging. If you don't want to be edged, then get out of my bed.' And in response to the show's composer announcing he had quit because of a feud with White days before the finale, White simply said it was 'kind of a bitch move'.
If you weren't already a White fan, you ought to be now. This man has many strings to his bow and an impressive back catalogue of work to rewatch or catch up on. While we patiently wait for season four of The White Lotus, here's a list of his other projects to get started with...
Eight of Mike White's best films and shows
The White Lotus
We have to start with the show that made him a global star – The White Lotus. Three seasons in and this series has become appointment TV for good reason. It's acerbic, sharp, dark and features a host of insufferable but entirely knowable characters.
The fact each season is contained, but still intertwined, and tackle a different theme each time is simply a work of art. If you haven't watched all three – the first is set in Hawaii, the second in Italy and the third in Thailand – then get to it.
In Grazia's recent interview with Sarah Catherine Hook (who plays Piper Ratliff), she said: 'Because [White's] so brilliant you expect him to be very cerebral and philosophical in every conversation, which he is certainly but he’s also like this little devil and menace. He’s very silly and spicy, but also adorable and warm and wants you to feel comfortable and loved, he’s just unlike anyone I’ve ever worked with.’
School of Rock
Let's not beat around the bush, School of Rock is a truly timeless film. Mike White might not play a huge part, but his character (the real Ned Schneebly) is integral to the plot. And, most importantly, he wrote the entire film.
When down and out Dewey Finn (Jack Black) decides to pose as his housemate (Mike White) to become a substitute teacher at a local primary school, he is instantly impressed by the musical talents of his class and helps them form a rock band. Dewey enters the group into the battle of the bands competition so that he can spend the winnings on his rent and does so without telling their parents, his housemate or anyone he works with – a recipe for success.
Released in 2003, School of Rock was the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time until Pitch Perfect 2 came out in 2015.
Survivor
As a well known 'super fan' of the reality show, in 2018 White had a turn on Survivor. It is a reality competition where a group of contestants are placed in a remote, isolated location and must compete to survive and win a grand prize. He made it to Day 39 and received three jury votes, finishing in second place behind the winner, Nick Wilson.
If you want to see a different side to White, one less 'Four Seasons' and more 'shack on the beach', then tune in.
Enlightened
Following the life of 'a woman on the verge of a nervous breakthrough', Enlightened follows the story of Amy Jellicoe (Laura Dern), a self-destructive executive, who, after the implosion of her professional life and a subsequent philosophical awakening in rehabilitation, tries to get her life back together. In 2012, Dern won a Golden Globe for her role in the show, and it was also nominated in two other categories.
With Dern at the helm and White writing every episode, it's a surprise that Enlightened didn't last longer than two seasons. HBO cancelled the show in March 2013, partly due to low ratings, despite critical acclaim.
Nacho Libre
Hot on the heels of School of Rock, Nacho Libre is another fan favourite penned by White and starring Jack Black. The 2006 sports comedy was also written by Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess, and it's loosely based on the story of Fray Tormenta ('Friar Storm', a.k.a. Rev. Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez), a real-life Mexican Catholic priest who had a 23-year career as a masked luchador to support the orphanage he directed.
Despicable Me 4
Ever a man with range, White spearheaded the fourth film in the Despicable Me franchise. In this film, the reformed supervillain and secret agent Gru relocates his family to a safe house when his old rival Maxime Le Mal seeks revenge.
The family have to adjust to their new lives, deal with their ambitious teenage neighbour Poppy Prescott and we see the birth of Gru's mega minions. In White's catalogue, there really is something for everyone.
The Amazing Race
If you want to see a different side to White, watch his series of The Amazing Race, which is the US version of Race Across the World. He took part in 2009 with his dad Mel and then again in 2011 in the spin-off show, Unfinished Business. Mel was a prominent clergyman and author who was a member of the Evangelical Protestant movement in the '60s, '70s and '80s. After years of writing for the Christian right wing, he came out as gay in 1994.
In the series, the father son duo travelled around nine countries, including Romania for the first time, as well as Switzerland, Germany, Austria, India, China, Thailand, Russia (Siberia) and Maui, Hawaii. Two of which later became destinations for seasons of The White Lotus. Coincidence?
Dawson’s Creek
We bet you didn't expect the '90s teen drama Dawson's Creek – the show that made Katie Holmes a star – to be on this list? With six season to binge, this series follows two childhood best friends, Dawson and Joey, as they go through different stages of adolescence.
White was a writer and producer on the show, writing nine different episodes and producing 22 of them. Did we mention his range???
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).