The White Lotus season 3: Release date, trailer and latest news
We hope you enjoy your stay.
If the cold, dark weather of the UK is getting you down, you'll be pleased to hear that a tropical escape is on its way to Sky and NOW – but be warned, this televisual vacation won't bring much rest and recuperation.
Instead, The White Lotus season 3 is expected to throw more privileged guests of the opulent hotel chain into chaotic and dangerous situations, with at least one person doomed not to survive their stay.
HBO's satirical drama has exploded in popularity since its comparatively small-scale pandemic debut, with this latest entry poised to be the most ambitious to date, taking viewers on a whistle-stop tour of Thailand.
Our guides will be returning screenwriter Mike White and hotel employee-turned-guest Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), plus a host of new faces including Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter) and Michelle Monaghan (Echoes).
If you're excited to see what the next episodes have in store, read on for everything we know so far about The White Lotus season 3.
The White Lotus season 3 release date
The White Lotus season 3 will premiere on HBO and Max on Sunday 16th February 2025, while UK viewers will be able to tune in on Sky Atlantic and NOW the following day (Monday 17th February).
Fans have been waiting a long time for their next trip to the luxurious, albeit cursed, holiday resort, with production on this latest season being slowed down by the strikes that gripped Hollywood throughout most of 2023.
Filming finally 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, with a caption teasing "unforgettable experiences".
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."
And the story won't be ending here with The White Lotus season 4 already confirmed, following reports that creator White had pitched HBO on a concept midway through production on the third entry (via Deadline).
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The White Lotus season 3 cast: New and returning
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:
- Leslie Bibb as Kate
- Carrie Coon as Laurie
- Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett
- Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff
- Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff
- Lalisa Manobal as Mook
- Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn
- Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff
- Lek Patravadi as Sritala
- Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff
- Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey
- Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxton Ratliff
- Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok
- Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea
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.
We now know more about most of the characters, which include a trio of girlfriends played by Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon and Michelle Monaghan, plus a wealthy traveller played by Walton Goggins and his much younger girlfriend, played by Aimee Lou Wood.
There's also the spectacularly dysfunctional Ratliff family, comprised of familiar faces Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Parker Posey (Mr & Mrs Smith), Patrick Schwarzenegger (Gen V), Sarah Catherine Hook (Cruel Intentions) and Sam Nivola (The Perfect Couple).
In addition to more staff at the resort being shown, we will also meet one of the owners of The White Lotus company; an older woman named Sritala, played by Thai actor Lek Patravadi.
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 in season 2 appeared to work out (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 a continuation of the story isn't off the table, particularly with Tanya's (almost) business partner Belinda re-entering the fray for this latest chapter.
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 as a resort guest in an exchange programme, we don't yet know a huge amount about the plot.
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, we know the show will retain its potent hook of a mysterious death (or deaths) gradually explained over the course of the season, with White telling NPR how effective it has been at drawing in viewers.
"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."
Intriguingly, the screenwriter recently told press that the plot for The White Lotus season 3 came to him during a fever dream he suffered while being treated for severe bronchitis.
Is there White Lotus season 3 trailer?
Yes, a lengthy trailer for The White Lotus season 3 is now available. Watch below for a glimpse of what's in store for this latest ill-fated vacation:
It followed a shorter teaser, which appeared online just before Christmas last year. Watch here:
The Lotus season 3 will return on HBO and Max on 16th February 2025. 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. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
