New Drama Ahead for The White Lotus in Thailand
Trouble is brewing once again for the guests at The White Lotus resorts. The first teaser for the show’s highly anticipated third season hints at the same mix of intrigue, secrets, and social commentary that made the first two seasons so popular. This time, the drama unfolds on the beautiful beaches of Thailand.
The 90-second trailer supports creator Mike White’s earlier comments that the Emmy-winning show will tackle the theme of Westerners’ fascination with Eastern spirituality in its new season. Season one focused on wealth and privilege at a Hawaiian resort, while season two explored romance and sexual tension at a resort in Sicily. Now, season three will bring the action to Thailand, where guests enjoy partying, wellness treatments, and meditation at a new White Lotus resort.
In the teaser, a Buddhist monk offers a thought-provoking message: “Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure, but they get there only to find more pain.” Alongside the monk’s wisdom, we see characters played by Jason Isaacs, Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and others navigating the resort’s luxurious yet unsettling atmosphere.
Fans of the first season will also be excited to see Natasha Rothwell return as Belinda, the masseuse who was unlucky in love in season one. This time, she’s in Thailand on an exchange program and hopes for a fresh start. “I’m starting to feel like something good is going to come out of this,” she says. But there’s a dark twist — the teaser shows a body bag, suggesting that, just like in the first two seasons, someone may not survive their stay at the White Lotus.
Mike White has hinted that season three will focus on death and the allure of Eastern spirituality, possibly tied to Belinda’s interest in wellness. He described the theme of the first two seasons as exploring money and sex, respectively, and teased that this new season would take a satirical look at death and religion.
The show’s production was supported by HBO and Thailand’s Tourism Authority. Filming took place this past spring at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, with additional locations in Phuket and Bangkok. Blackpink’s rapper Lisa, known mononymously as Lalisa, will make her acting debut as a staff member (and possibly a dancer) at the White Lotus resort.
Since its debut in 2021, The White Lotus has been a critical and awards success. The first season earned 20 Emmy nominations and won 10 awards, including Best Limited Series. The second season followed with 23 nominations and five wins, including Best Casting and Best Dramatic Actress for Jennifer Coolidge, who returns as the only character from the previous seasons.
The third season of The White Lotus will premiere on HBO on February 16, 2024.
