A new crop of wealthy, entitled, and ultimately ill-fated guests are ready to check into the White Lotus.
This beloved HBO series, which follows the privileged guests milling about a luxury hotel and combines murder mystery with razor-sharp social satire, is a KCM favorite. Each season includes a fresh story and a (mostly) fresh batch of characters: We were head over heels for the drama in Maui of season 1(which starred Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, and of course, Jennifer Coolidge) and the intrigue that unfolded in Sicily in season 2 (starring Coolidge again, along with Aubrey Plaza, Michael Imperioli, and more). So it’s safe to say we’ve been waiting on the edge of our seats for the highly anticipated third installment from creator Mike White, and it’s finally within reach.
Here’s a look at the stars joining The White Lotus universe for season 3, which cast member is returning to the show, the uber-fancy hotel where the season takes place, and more.
The new cast of The White Lotus season 3
White has added some serious talent to his HBO dramedy. We’ve got the hilarious 90s “it” girl Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs (who you might know better as Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter franchise), Michelle Monaghan (Mission Impossible: Fallout, The Path); Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Leslie Bibb (Iron Man), and Patrick Schwarzenegger, the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. Two Thai actors, Tayme Thapthimthong and Dom Hetrakul, are also joining the cast, along with Lalisa Manobal, who you probably know better as Lisa from the global K-pop sensation Blackpink.
And just like last season, the show’s bringing back a fan favorite. Natasha Rothwell, who played a spa manager let down by Coolidge’s Tanya in season one, is back to play the same part this time around.
“My heart is full!” Rothwell wrote on Instagram. “Words cannot even begin to express how excited, grateful and humbled I am to have the chance to breathe life into Belinda once again.”
Where will The White Lotus season 3 take place?
After earlier stops in Maui and Sicily, the show is setting roots in Thailand for the third season. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and HBO announced that filming began in February of 2024 in Bangkok, Phuket, and Ko Samui.
The location seems perfectly spot-on for the themes White has said he planned to tackle for the show’s latest season. The creator told HBO that “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.”
If you’re the kind of fan who might want to recreate the characters’ exact itinerary, the specific hotel where they shot season three is the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Here’s a sneak peek at the gorgeous vistas and sumptuous accommodations available there:
But if you are thinking about planning a trip to Thailand after seeing the show, you’re far from alone. The New York Times reported that after the location for White Lotus season 3 was announced, the online travel hub Expedia saw a 50-percent increase in searches for this beautiful country.
When is The White Lotus season 3 coming out?
The new season will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at 9 p.m. on HBO, and it’ll also stream on Max (where you can catch up on or revisit the older seasons as well).
Watch the trailer for The White Lotus season 3
If you simply can’t wait until premiere night to get a look at what’s in store for us in the show’s newest edition, get a sneak peek at the shenanigans to come in the season’s brand-new trailer here:
