Who is Nicholas Duvernay? The White Lotus star playing Belinda's son Zion

One such actor is Nicholas Duvernay, who first appears in season 3's flash-forward opening scene, as he takes part in a therapy session with The White Lotus staff member Amrita (played by Shalini Peiris).

When gunshots ring out from somewhere in the resort, he fears that his mother, season 1 spa manager Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) could be in danger, and wades through the water to find her, where instead he ends up encountering a still-to-be-identified dead body.

The scene establishes Zion as one of the most important characters for the season's endgame and his reintroduction in episode 6, as he finally arrives at the Thailand resort, then serves to raise the stakes and foreshadow the deadly ending.

If you're wondering where you might have seen The White Lotus season 3's Nicholas Duvernay before, here's your introduction to the rising star.

Who is Nicholas Duvernay?

Nicholas Duvernay is an actor from Long Island, New York, who is best known for his roles in Purple Hearts and Bel-Air.

He plays Zion Lindsey, son of The White Lotus Maui spa manager Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), in The White Lotus, appearing first in the cold open of season 3 and later getting a formal introduction in the sixth episode.

Zion is a student, who is flying out to Thailand after finishing his exams to unwind and spend some quality time with his mother.

How old is Nicholas Duvernay?

Nicholas Duvernay is 25 years old.

What other movies and TV shows have Nicholas Duvernay been in?

Duvernay's first major screen role came via Netflix original romantic drama Purple Hearts, where he appeared opposite The Idea of You and Red, White & Royal Blue star Nicholas Galitzine.

He went on to bag the recurring role of Drew in Peacock original series Bel-Air, which was a dramatic reimagining of Will Smith's classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Duvernay also played Lindor in BET sitcom Tyler Perry's Assisted Living and has made guest appearances in the likes of The Rookie, All-American: Homecoming, SWAT, Magnum PI and Supernatural prequel The Winchesters.

Is Nicholas Duvernay related to Ava DuVernay?

No, even though they share similar names, Duvernay isn't related to director and writer Ava DuVernay.

Speaking about the coincidence, he said in a recent interview with Ebony: "It's almost a question I expect every time I meet somebody, just because it's not a very common last name."

He added: "I finally met her during award season, and, she was like, 'You're Nicholas Duvernay.' And I was like, you're Ava DuVernay," he recalled. "It was so nice to connect finally. And we're like, 'We might be related. Who knows?'"

What has Nicholas Duvernay said about The White Lotus season 3?

In an interview with Esquire prior to the season 3 premiere, Duvernay teased: "There's not much I can say, but what I will say [is] it's the biggest season, it's the baddest season, and it's the messiest season.

"It's like all the seasons kind of culminated into one, in the best but worst way, if that makes sense. Just expect to see The White Lotus on steroids this season."

On filming in Thailand with the star-studded cast, he added: "It's really an actor's dream. I started acting when I was a kid, so it's everything that I could have expected and more, down to working in Thailand and being overseas for six months.

"Being embedded in a culture that I've never been in before was unbelievable... And then working with Mike [White], who's such an unbelievable director and writer, it was the Super Bowl of everything I've done so far, for sure."

Read more:

• The White Lotus incest storyline goes up a notch in shocking scenes
• The White Lotus star debunks internet's favourite season 3 killer theory

Is Nicholas Duvernay on Instagram?

Yes! Nicholas Duvernay can be found on Instagram, under the username @nicholasduvernay.

The White Lotus seasons 1-3 are available on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

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