‘The White Lotus’ Season 3: Everything We Know—So Far

Who else has jet lag? After a twist-filled second season of The White Lotus (and shocking answers to the question of who dies) yet another edition of Mike White’s anthology series is on the itinerary. Just three episodes into the latest season, HBO confirmed that The White Lotus “will return for a third installment following a new group of guests at another White Lotus property.” Vanity Fair has already made its pitches for season three settings, but what do we actually know about the upcoming chapter? What will the credits sound like? And will the guests venture beyond the resort to eat? 

Ahead, a preview of everything that’s out in the universe about The White Lotus season three, including a major update about who is jetting in next. 

Who is in The White Lotus season three?HBO confirmed in early January that Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Parker Posey will be checking into the White Lotus for season three. They join previously announced returning original cast member Natasha Rothwell, who earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Belinda, the soothing, often sidelined spa manager of the resort’s Hawaii outpost. 

Rothwell’s return for the wellness-centered third season suggests that Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya may have made good on her promise to fund Belinda’s dream spa by leaving her money in the will. But—for now—the actor is keeping mum on her character’s storyline. At the Wonka premiere, Rothwell told Vanity Fair that the show made her “gasp out loud a minimum of five times, and this was just me reading the scripts.” 

According to Deadline, casting for the new season got underway on Nov. 9, the same day a deal was reached between SAG-AFTRA and the studios. The outlet reports that thirteen roles are looking to be filled, with nine of them being series regulars. Parts range in age between 18 and 80s, featuring a patriarch, corporate executive, actress, a couple of mothers, a misfit, and a yogi.

One person who seemingly won’t be involved, despite online rumors, is White’s friend and School of Rock collaborator Jack Black, who denied his casting to Vanity Fair: “I’ll deny because that’s easy to tell the truth,” he said. “I have to throw ice water on that sweet, sweet theory.” 

The show’s second season introduced viewers to a murderers’ row of new characters, played by Aubrey Plaza, ​​Theo James, Meghann Fahy, Michael Imperioli, Will Sharpe, Beatrice Grannò, Haley Lu Richardson, Adam DiMarco, and many, many concerning men. But Coolidge, returning from the Emmy-winning first season, had another standout showing—the question of whether she could she reprise the role of Tanya again, however, was answered in the season 2 finale. 

A familiar face who may pack her bags for season three, however, is Connie Britton, who played the high-powered Nicole in season one, said she was originally supposed to return for the second season. “He wanted me to be in the second season, and there was an idea that I loved for the character,” she 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 spin-off on every character in that show.” And wouldn’t you know it? Her character fits squarely in the “corporate executive” category…

Where will White Lotus season three film?White hinted that the show would head east for season three, telling Vanity Fair, “We are going to scout in Asia and look at countries there.” Now Variety is reporting that after scouting locations, he’s settled on Thailand. 

If he chooses to film at another Four Seasons—seasons one and two were both filmed at resorts owned by the luxury hotel chain—he’ll have several properties to choose from. The website for the Chiang Mai location describes it as “a haven of well-being in northern Thailand” that’s “nestled among emerald rice fields,” while the Four Seasons Golden Triangle is an “adventure of a lifetime” where guests stay in luxury tents. A spokeswoman for HBO declined to comment.

What will White Lotus season three be about?In the post-finale interview White dropped a bit of a hint about this, calling the third season “a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.”