Max - The White Lotus Season 3: New Resort, New Drama, Same Sharp Satire

By Mulder, 27 january 2025

HBO has officially released the highly anticipated trailer and key art for the third season of The White Lotus, the critically acclaimed satirical drama series created by Mike White. The upcoming season, consisting of eight episodes, is set to premiere on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with streaming availability on Max. Known for its razor-sharp social commentary, unexpected twists, and lavish settings, the series will now transport audiences to the picturesque landscapes of Thailand. But as past seasons have proven, the stunning surroundings often serve as a backdrop for deep-seated tensions, class struggles, and personal reckonings.

This time, The White Lotus welcomes a brand-new cast of high-profile stars, further elevating the series' reputation for assembling powerhouse ensembles. Among those headlining the season are Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Aimee Lou Wood. A notable exception in the otherwise fresh lineup is Natasha Rothwell, who reprises her role as Belinda Lindsey, the spa manager from the first season’s Hawaiian resort. Her return raises intriguing possibilities—will her character finally achieve the success and independence she once aspired to, or will she find herself entangled in yet another web of elite guests and their hidden agendas?

Following the success of its first two seasons, The White Lotus has continually evolved, shifting both its location and themes. The debut season, set in Hawaii, was an incisive critique of wealth and privilege, earning 20 Emmy® nominations and winning ten, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The second installment, which transported audiences to the sun-drenched shores of Sicily, explored themes of power and desire while garnering 23 Emmy® nominations and securing five wins. Now, with season three unfolding in a Thai resort, series creator Mike White has teased an exploration of Eastern spirituality and the nature of death, promising another layer of satire beneath the show's signature mix of opulence and dysfunction.

The journey to bringing The White Lotus Season 3 to life was not without its challenges. The show was renewed for a third season in November 2022, even before the second season concluded, demonstrating HBO’s confidence in the series’ staying power. However, production faced an unexpected roadblock in the form of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which led to significant delays. Originally intended for a 2024 release, the season was ultimately pushed to 2025.

Filming took place across some of Thailand’s most breathtaking locations, including Bangkok, Phuket, and Ko Samui, from February to August 2024. Interestingly, Japan was initially considered as a potential setting for the season, with creator Mike White scouting locations in Honshu. However, Thailand was ultimately chosen due to the country’s generous $4.4 million tax incentive for film productions, whereas Japan lacks a comparable incentive program. This decision not only shaped the show’s visual identity but also allowed the production to immerse itself fully in the rich cultural and natural landscapes of Thailand.

One of The White Lotus’ greatest strengths lies in its ability to craft multi-layered characters whose seemingly carefree vacations unravel into stories of ambition, betrayal, and existential crisis. Season three will be no exception, featuring an eclectic mix of travelers, each with their own secrets and motivations. Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, and Michelle Monaghan will portray longtime friends on a reunion trip, while Walton Goggins plays a man traveling with his much younger girlfriend, Aimee Lou Wood’s free-spirited Chelsea. Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey take on the roles of Timothy and Victoria Ratliff, a wealthy couple vacationing with their three children, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Lalisa Manobal makes her acting debut as Mook, a "health mentor" at the resort, while Lek Patravadi plays Sritala, one of the resort's influential owners.

The show’s synopsis hints at yet another descent into chaos beneath the veil of paradise: "In a postcard-perfect seaside resort, guests enjoy their vacations in idyllic surroundings, looked after by the most pleasant and helpful staff. But it soon becomes clear that the apparent happiness and smiles are deceptive." This formula has proven immensely successful in previous seasons, drawing viewers into a world where the elite indulge in excess, unaware (or willfully ignorant) of the tensions simmering just beneath the surface.

Behind the camera, Mike White continues to be the creative force driving The White Lotus, serving as writer, director, and executive producer alongside Nick Hall, David Bernad, and Mark Kamine. The production team remains top-tier, with cinematography by Ben Kutchins and Xavier Grobet, and editing handled by Heather Persons and John M. Valerio. The show’s signature haunting yet playful score, composed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Kim Neundorf, is expected to once again set the tone for the series’ mix of comedy and unease.

With its luxurious setting, intricate character dynamics, and biting social critique, The White Lotus Season 3 is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most anticipated television events. As the premiere date draws closer, fans are left speculating: What new scandals will unfold in the pristine Thai paradise? Who will leave the White Lotus resort unscathed, and who will become its latest casualty? All will be revealed when the series returns to HBO and Max on February 16, 2025.

Synopsis :
In a postcard-perfect seaside resort, guests enjoy their vacations in idyllic surroundings, looked after by the most pleasant and helpful staff. But it soon becomes clear that the apparent happiness and smiles are deceptive.

The White Lotus
Created, Written and directed by Mike White
Starring Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood, Nicholas Duvernay, Arnas Fedaravičius, Christian Friedel, Scott Glenn, Dom Hetrakul, Julian Kostov, Charlotte Le Bon, Morgana O'Reilly, Shalini Peiris
Music by Cristobal Tapia de Veer, Kim Neundorf
Executive producers : Nick Hall, David Bernad, Mike White, Mark Kamine
Producers : John M. Valerio, Heather Persons, Todd Brown
Cinematography : Ben Kutchins, Xavier Grobet
Editors : Heather Persons, John M. Valerio
Production companies : HBO Entertainment, Pallogram, The District, Rip Cord Productions
Network : HBO (United States), Max (France)
Release July 11, 2021 – present