The White Lotus season 3: Release date speculation and latest news
Get ready for another holiday from hell.
Start humming that iconic theme song because The White Lotus is coming back!
That's right, folks: the hit HBO show will be returning for a hotly-anticipated third season – and now the first trailer has landed to prove it.
The new season 3 footage, which was shared as part of a teaser trailer for upcoming shows from Max, shows Natasha Rothwell’s returning character Belinda entering the lobby of a new White Lotus resort in Thailand and removing her sunglasses
Later, the trailer also shows a boat speeding off into the distance, as well as a bunch of new characters arriving at the resort, including Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Parker Posey (Scream 3) and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Gen V).
Later, we see holidaymakers relaxing by the pool, as one woman says: "What happens in Thailand stays in Thailand."
If you're suitably intrigued, read on for everything we know so far about The White Lotus season 3.
The White Lotus season 3 release date speculation
The White Lotus season 3 does not yet have a release date, but most are expecting the show to return in late 2024 or early 2025.
HBO boss Casey Bloys told press that, due to the Hollywood strikes of last year, the hotly anticipated return for the show was "likely moving" to 2025, but there's still hope that we could see it sooner with production now proceeding at a healthy pace.
Filming got under way in February 2024, with an image shared on official social media channels of a White Lotus-branded clapperboard about to strike against a lush Thailand backdrop.
The caption read: "Unforgettable experiences are in the making at The White Lotus. We are eager to welcome new guests to our resort in Thailand."
The show was renewed for a third run in November 2022, after just three episodes of season 2 had aired, which is a testament to the huge response it received right out of the gate.
At the time, creator Mike White said: "I feel so lucky to get this opportunity again and I am excited to reunite with my amazingly talented collaborators on The White Lotus."
HBO executive Francesca Orsi added: "Reflecting on The White Lotus’s 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."
The White Lotus season 3 cast: Full list of confirmed stars
We finally know what the cast of The White Lotus season 3 looks like, comprised largely of new faces and one major returnee – here's the complete roster:
- Natasha Rothwell as Belinda
- Jason Isaacs
- Leslie Bibb
- Michelle Monaghan
- Parker Posey
- Dom Hetrakul
- Tayme Thapthimthong
- Carrie Coon
- Aimee Lou Wood
- Patrick Schwarzenegger
- Sam Nivola
- Sarah Catherine Hook
- Christian Friedel
- Morgana O’Reilly
- Lek Patravadi
- Shalini Peiris
- Walton Goggins
- Lalisa Manobal (aka Lisa)
Season 2 kept the familiar faces to a minimum – with only Jennifer Coolidge and Jon Gries reprising their roles as newlyweds Tanya and Greg respectively – and it appears this latest run will do the same.
Natasha Rothwell is the sole established character in the officially announced list, having first played spa employee and would-be entrepreneur Belinda in the show's first season.
Multiple other former stars have expressed enthusiasm for another stay at The White Lotus, including Connie Britton (Nicole Mossbacher in season 1), who told Deadline that she almost appeared in the second outing.
Britton explained: "There was an idea that I loved for the character. 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 that in the third season."
Alas, it appears that might not be happening, unless White and co are simply keeping it top secret.
Jake Lacy, who played entitled estate agent Shane Patton in season 1, also said his character is in contention for further stories during an interview with RadioTimes.com in 2022. But again, perhaps not just yet.
One character fans would be most eager to see more from is the aforementioned Greg, played by Jon Gries, whose elaborate scheme to seize the McQuoid fortune appeared to work (albeit, with a few hiccups along the way).
Will the storyline be revisited, with justice for the late Tanya?
White said: "I think as far as, like, what happens to Greg and the conspiracy of Tanya’s death, it’s possible that I think Portia is scared enough to just leave it alone.
"But the fact that all of those guys die on the boat, it feels like there’s gotta be somebody who’s gonna track it back down to Greg. Maybe you’ll have to wait to find out what happens."
That certainly sounds like it isn't off the table...
Where is The White Lotus season 3 set?
After months of rumours, it has been confirmed that The White Lotus season 3 will take place in Thailand, allowing viewers a peek inside another of the chain's luxury resorts (following earlier stays in Hawaii and Italy).
After the season 2 finale aired, creator Mike White teased that season 3 could take place in Asia.
He explained: "The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex. I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.
"It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus."
What is The White Lotus season 3 about?
Besides the aforementioned hint of a "spirituality" theme and the surprise return of Natasha Rothwell's Belinda, we don't yet know what the third season of The White Lotus will be about.
Once more details are released about the raft of new characters, we might be able to start piecing together some hints. Hopefully there'll be some room for a continuation of the overarching narrative as well as plenty of exciting new ideas.
At the very least, the show is likely to retain its potent hook of a mysterious death gradually explained over the course of the season, with White telling NPR how effective it has been at drawing in viewers.
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"When that first season became such a water cooler show [that] people were talking about, I was like, 'Had I only known if I'd put a dead body at the beginning of Enlightened, maybe people would've watched Enlightened,'" he began.
The comment references an acclaimed but abruptly cancelled show he previously made for HBO, which starred Laura Dern.
White added: "You realise these kinds of hooks do actually get viewers. 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.
"As somebody who's been working in the margins, it is kind of nice to have viewers."
Is there White Lotus season 3 trailer?
Yes, a teaser trailer has been unveiled by HBO, giving fans a first look at plenty of new cast members in action. Watch below:
The White Lotus seasons 1 and 2 are available on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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