HBO’s hit show The White Lotus has announced several new cast members who will be checking in for the show’s third season. Filming is set to begin in Thailand next month.
New Cast Members
The new cast members announced include:
- Walton Goggins (Justified, The Righteous Gemstones)
- Patrick Schwarzenegger (Daniel Isn’t Real)
- Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education)
- Sarah Catherine Hook (Tragedy of Macbeth)
- Sam Nivola (Lightways)
They will be joining previously announced cast member Carrie Coon. Other returning cast have not been confirmed.
The White Lotus Moves to Thailand
While the first two seasons were set at a resort in Hawaii, Season 3 will take place at a new White Lotus property in Thailand. Specifically, filming will occur in Krabi and Bangkok over the next several months.
The move to Thailand is expected to showcase a new locale and culture for viewers. Creator Mike White has said the anthology show allows them to explore “how money warps people” in various settings.
What to Expect in Season 3
Not much is known yet about the plot or characters for Season 3. The show is known for satirizing wealth, so Season 3 will likely continue in that tradition.
Given past seasons, viewers can probably expect power dynamics, cultural clashes, mysterious deaths, and lots of luxury. The exact relationships between characters is still unclear.
Tourism Impact Anticipated
The White Lotus has already had a significant influence on tourism to Season 1 and 2 filming locations in Hawaii. A similar boost is expected for Thailand destinations featured in the upcoming season.
| Season | Filming Location | Tourism Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four Seasons Maui | +30% increase in inquiries |
| 2 | Four Seasons Hualalai | +25% increase in bookings |
| 3 | TBD Resorts in Krabi, Bangkok | Expected spike in Thailand tourism |
Thailand averaged about 40 million visitors annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. As travel rebounds post-pandemic, The White Lotus spotlight could attract significant numbers of wealthy travelers.
What Happens After Season 3?
Creator Mike White has said he envisions The White Lotus running for more than 3 seasons, likely by moving the show’s setting and characters each season.
Potential future locations rumored are:
- Asia (Japan, Singapore, Maldives)
- Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece)
- Middle East (Tel Aviv, Dubai)
- South America (Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil)
No matter the location, viewers can continue expecting luxury resorts, privileged guests, cultural issues, and deadly vacation surprises in future seasons of The White Lotus anthology show.
Fan Reaction
Fans on social media expressed excitement about the Season 3 casting news. Many were thrilled to see favorites like Goggins and Wood join the acclaimed show. The shift to a Thailand setting also intrigued viewers.
However, some fans voiced concern about glamorizing colonialism if the show mishandles cultural dynamics in Thailand. Mike White will need to strike the right balance of satire around privilege.
Others simply cannot wait to escape into the lush resort world of The White Lotus again when Season 3 debuts. With filming kicking off in February 2024, the new episodes could potentially air later this year if post-production goes smoothly.
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