The White Lotus season 3 is likely to debut in 2025 due to production delays last year. Until then, this is everything we know about the highly-anticipated third season.
The White Lotus became an instant hit when it debuted in July 2021, with the acclaimed second season cementing Mike White's dark satire on holidaymakers as one of the most talked about new programmes in recent times. In November 2022 creator, writer and executive producer Mike White revealed a third season of The White Lotus is coming - but it looks like we'll have to wait until 2025 to see the next instalment.
While a 2024 release date was originally on the cards, it's now been confirmed that we'll have to wait until next year to get our White Lotus fix. Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys said during an HBO and Max presentation on 2nd November 2023 that the season “probably would have been [released in] 2024,” but it’s now “pushing into 2025” given the pause for the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Hollywood strikes.
The new season will follow the same format as the previous two, which saw a host of intriguing characters descend on a White Lotus hotel in a glamorous location. We've already had Hawaii and Sicily, and it's been confirmed that the third season of the HBO show will be set in Thailand, with the storylines 'supersized' according to show creator Mike White. Of the new season, Mike said in a statement: “I feel so lucky to get this opportunity again and am excited to reunite with my amazingly talented collaborators on The White Lotus.”
HBO Drama Chief Francesca Orsi added: "Reflecting on The White Lotus' humble, run-and-gun origin as a contained pandemic production, it's impossible not to be awestruck by how Mike orchestrated one of the buzziest and most critically acclaimed shows.
"And yet, he's only continued to reach new heights in season two, which is the ultimate testament to Mike's raw, unparalleled vision. His courage to explore the uncharted waters of the human psyche, paired with his signature irreverent humour and buoyant directing style, have us all dreaming of more vacation days at the resort we've come to adore."
So, when will The White Lotus season 3 hit our screens? And who will star in it? Is Tanya McQuiod gone from the White Lotus universe for good? Here's everything you need to know.
When will The White Lotus season 3 air?
While it has been confirmed The White Lotus will return for a third season, the exact date has remained under wraps, though we now know we're looking at a 2025 launch date. HBO recently confirmed this with a new showreel of programmes set to debut in 2024 and 2025, with The White Lotus' new season appearing in the latter category.
Who will be in The White Lotus season 3?
The White Lotus's first and second seasons both boasted a star-studded cast, which included Jennifer Coolidge, Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney, Meghann Fahy, Jake Lacy, and Alexandra Daddario, plus a guest appearance from Laura Dern, and many more well-respected names in the business.
Only two characters from season one made it to season two (dysfunctional couple Tanya and Greg) so we'd guess that we'll be mostly seeing new additions to the line-up in season three - particularly after the grisly season two finale. In the last episode, we saw Jennifer's character, Tanya McQuoid, accidentally fall off a yacht closeby to the hotel. Though it is predicted she will not reprise her role for season three, there is growing speculation she could return in the form of flashbacks.
We do, however, have confirmation (via Variety) that one character from The White Lotus' first season will be appearing in the new season for definite. Natasha Rothwell, who previously played spa manager Belinda opposite Jennifer Coolidge in the first season of The White Lotus, will be back for season three. Natasha earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series at the 2022 Emmys for her role in season one, and we're expecting great things for her return.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about a return, she said previously: "Mike must have some juicy stuff for her. I think that will be the most interesting storyline of all: whatever's happened to Natasha’s character."
She also told Vanity Fair regarding the new series: "I gasped out loud a minimum of five times and this was just me reading [the scripts]. The scripts are a testament to Mike [White, the show’s creator]’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. Everyone needs to buckle up, because it’s going to get real!"
Variety also revealed earlier in January that six more cast members have been confirmed for The White Lotus' third season, including Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey and Tayme Thapthimthon.
On Tuesday (17th January) Variety confirmed the news that Aimee would be joining The White Lotus season three cast on Tuesday, along with Gen V star (and Arnie's son) Patrick Schwarzenegger, Fallout's Walton Goggins, American Crime Story's Sarah Catherine Hook and Maestro actor Sam Nivola. Sex Education's Aimee Lou Wood.
Connie Britton, who played Nicole Mossbacher in the first instalment of the series, has teased she could be making a comeback for the sequel. Speaking previously to Deadline, she said: "He wanted me to be in the second season, and there was an idea that I loved for the character. Our intention is to do it in the third season."
Watch this space for the full cast list.
What will the White Lotus season 3 be about?
While the exact plot of The White Lotus season three hasn't been disclosed, we do know that it will be set in Thailand and is set to be the "craziest" season yet, according to showrunner Mike White. “It’s going to be longer, bigger, crazier," Mike said in a statement. "I don’t know what people will think, but I am super excited, so at least for my own barometer, that’s a good thing.”
HBO CEO Casey Bloys echoed this sentiment, revealing that he thought Mike's vision for the White Lotus season three was a "really fun idea" in a Series Mania keynote interview. He also commented that the next instalment is shaping up to be a "satirical and funny look at death in Eastern religion and spirituality".
The HBO head also noted the success of an anthology-style format and the excitement of a new cast for each season, adding: “It’s great that he gets to cast new actors each time. What’s been great about seasons one and two is, a little like Succession, it allows you to rediscover actors or see them in a new light.”
The star of the first two seasons, Jennifer Coolidge herself, has also revealed her thoughts on the new season. In a one-on-one conversation with Jeremy Allen White for Variety's Actors on Actors video series, Jennifer expressed how she wants to see some retribution for Greg, Tanya's husband in the series (played by Jon Gries).
"My hope for Jon is that he's not finished with Greg," she revealed. "I hope there's some comeuppance for evil Greg. I think he should, I don't know, end up in a meat-grinding machine." The actor then added: "If Tanya could come back in any form, maybe she could come back as a seagull and poke Greg’s eyes out."
Where will White Lotus season 3 be filmed?
Seasons one and two of The White Lotus gave many viewers a taste of wanderlust with the luxury settings. The first season was set in Hawaii, while the second featured Sicily as the backdrop, so there is high expectation that season three will see the cast whisked off to another stunning location.
It's been confirmed (via Elle Decor) that The White Lotus' third season will be set in Thailand. Considering both series have been set in Four Seasons resorts, it could be that producers will choose one of four luxury resorts in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and the Golden Triangle.
Executive vice president and chief commercial officer for the Four Seasons, Marc Speichert, told the magazine in a statement: “As a brand, it has been wonderful to be on this journey, tapping into the show’s relevance and resonance in pop culture. As the set-jetting trend continues, we are confident that audiences will continue to see Four Seasons on their screens and in theatres for many years to come.”
What happened in season one and two of The White Lotus?
The White Lotus season one
The White Lotus has had viewers gripped ever since it first aired in 2021. The comedy-drama has been described as a 'social satire' on the HBO website and covers a wide scope of topical issues through a dark comedy lens.
The first series saw jet-setters book into the luxe White Lotus hotel on a tropical resort in Hawaii. But over the week the holidaymakers saw several unnerving events unfold between the guests, as well as employees working at the resort, cumulating with the death of one of its residents.
The second series follows a similar premise, as guests jet off to Sicily where there are scandalous hook-ups, emotional break-ups and plenty more drama, at the end of which we lose one of the show's central characters - Tanya McQuiod.
Where to watch White Lotus season 3
The White Lotus airs on HBO Max for those watching the series Stateside, though it is also available to watch via Sky (Sky Atlantic, Sky Go) and Now TV in the UK.
So, if you are looking to watch the series for the very first time from the beginning, or recap the events so it is fresh in your mind for when the time comes to watch the upcoming third season, you have plenty of outlets to do so.