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The White Lotus is back, and it's bringing the drama to Thailand for its highly anticipated third season. This acclaimed series, which first premiered in July 2021, has captivated audiences with its sharp social commentary and stunning locations. Season one explored privilege and power dynamics in Hawaii, while season two shifted to Sicily, focusing on sex and power struggles.
Season two ended with unresolved questions surrounding Tanya’s death and Greg's motives, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what’s next. Recently, Max dropped a teaser for season three, confirming that production has begun and highlighting the new setting and cast, including Walton Goggins, Natasha Rothwell, and Blackpink's Lisa.
Ready to dive into all the details? Keep reading to discover everything we know about The White Lotus season three, from its plot and cast to the latest updates. We will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.
The White Lotus season 3 will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. Season 3 consists of eight episodes.
Speaking to Deadline, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content, said that the new season will be available "generally first half of the year," and that he expects them (also The Last of Us season two) "to be in the Emmy window," meaning we could get the series before the end of May 2025.
Fans can look forward to the new season alongside other anticipated releases like Welcome to Derry, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and The Last of Us season 2.
The second season of The White Lotus left audiences with lingering questions, especially about Greg and the events leading to Tanya's death. The finale sparked curiosity about Greg's true intentions, his mysterious phone call, and whether Portia would confront him about his role in the tragedy.
Creator Mike White has hinted at a shift in setting and themes for the third season. While the first season explored the dynamics of wealth and the second delved into the complexities of sexual relationships, season 3 is set to explore themes of death and Eastern spirituality. This pivot promises a significant change in tone that could attract new viewers.
HBO head of drama Francesca Orsi revealed that season three will be "an exploration about spirituality versus the ego," set against the backdrop of Eastern religion. The upcoming season will be "longer, bigger, crazier," featuring a diverse cast of characters, including a patriarch, a female corporate executive, an actress, a couple of mothers, a country club wife, a misfit, and a yogi. This fresh ensemble and thematic shift suggest that season three might blend the familiar intrigue of the series with new, exciting layers.
The trip of a lifetime awaits.
— Max (@StreamOnMax) February 13, 2024
Lalisa Manobal, Scott Glenn, and Julian Kostov will join the cast for Season 3 of HBO Original series #TheWhiteLotus on Max. pic.twitter.com/qgdg3boMHe
On Sunday, HBO released the first teaser for the highly-anticipated third season of The White Lotus, giving fans a sneak peek of Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, and Natasha Rothwell in the lavish setting of Thailand.
New luxuries await you in Thailand.
— Max (@StreamOnMax) August 5, 2024
Season 3 of the @HBO Original Series #TheWhiteLotus is coming soon to Max. pic.twitter.com/6f25m4MI5f
The White Lotus was renewed for a third season in November 2022, but the exact number of episodes remains unconfirmed. The first season had six episodes, while the second had seven. If the trend continues, season three might have eight episodes, but we'll have to wait for an official announcement.
The White Lotus is known for its stunning visual contrasts between the guests' dark exploits and the beautiful landscapes. The first season, set in Hawaii, offered commentary on colonialism and its impact on native Hawaiian employees. The second season, filmed in Sicily, explored romance in a picturesque setting.
Originally planned for Japan, the third season will now be set in Thailand due to funding incentives. Like the previous seasons, it's being filmed at a Four Seasons resort, with locations including Phuket, Bangkok, and Ko Samui. The series received a $4.4 million tax incentive for filming in Thailand.
Mike White has made it clear that the third season of The White Lotus will blaze new trails for the series. With COVID-related filming restrictions lifted, he promises a larger scope and cast. Filming throughout Thailand hints at characters taking day trips, similar to past seasons' adventures. This season will also have more episodes, continuing the trend of expanding each season.
Thematically, the third season will explore spirituality and death, diverging from the first season's focus on money in relationships and the second's examination of power dynamics in love. With each season beginning with a mysterious death, it will be fascinating to see how these themes unfold in the characters' relationships.
For now, the busy showrunner remains focused on preparing for season three, but he hinted that audiences can always expect one thing from The White Lotus: murder. In an interview with NPR, Mike White mentioned that the mystery of who dies has consistently driven interest in the show, so he plans to use the same formula for future seasons. "It clearly is something that drives interest in the show. People will decide at the conclusion whether it’s satisfying or it feels just device-y, but at this point, I’m excited about the finale," White said. "As somebody who’s been working in the margins, it is kind of nice to have viewers.”