Aubrey Plaza in ‘The White Lotus’ season 2. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
The actual plotline for the season remains unknown for now, but if past seasons are anything to go by, it’ll once more see the clientele of a White Lotus resort (this time with Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez, France rumored as a main location) dealing with issues of wealth, privilege, dysfunction and, of course, probably a death or two.
Walton Goggins in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
Helena Bonham Carter and Kumail Nanjiani are among the ‘White Lotus’ Season 4 cast.
Chris Messina, Max Greenfield and more will also show up.
The new series will be set at a French resort.
From the start, creator/showrunner Mike White has been able to command an eclectic, often starry cast for HBO series ‘The White Lotus,’ which spins a murder mystery each season at a different resort from the titular fictional chain.
Michelle Monaghan in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
The actual plotline for the season remains a mystery for now, but if past seasons are anything to go by, it’ll once more see the clientele of a White Lotus resort (this time reportedly in France) rocked by a suspicious death or two.
With White writing and directing as always, the season will be shooting this year.
(L to R) Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
(L to R) Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 receives 7 out of 10 stars.
Launching on HBO and streaming service Max with its first episode on February 16th, the third season of Mike White’s darkly hued comedy drama series ‘The White Lotus‘ is set at yet another location for the fictional, titular luxury resort chain, this time the lush climes of Thailand.
We’re greeted with a (mostly) new set of characters, all carrying some emotional baggage to complement their fancy suitcases. The question that must be asked, though, is the third time the charm?
(L to R) Morgana O’Reilly, Arnas Fedaravičius, Christian Friedel, Dom Hetrakul, and Lalisa Manobal in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
“Everyone who comes to Thailand, they’re either hiding from someone or looking for someone…” So says one of the characters early in the season, and so it proves true: whether that means the someone they’re after or hiding from is a faith, a stranger or themselves.
Mike White has the formula down pat for the show now, and the real issue here is that it feels like he’s just putting minor spins on ideas that have been explored before. The characters might be different, but there is the typical clash between the spoiled guests and the staff who must cater to their whims, and while it would be boring if everyone were happy and settled, the crises don’t perhaps always add up to the same level of drama as previous outings.
Script and Direction
Walton Goggins in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
White, who writes and directs every episode like an extended indie movie (albeit with the hefty budget of a prestige HBO show) brings his usual style and wit to the show, crafting another group of memorable characters.
Yet, as mentioned, they feel like versions of other seasons’ guests –– the younger ones are mostly looking for hedonistic party times, while the elders want to relax and escape their stressful lives.
And there is the standard assortment of people dealing with personal issues, from financial difficulties to a tragic secret from their past that has them simmering with vengeful anger that they’ve not shared with anyone around them, so everyone else thinks they’re just grumpy.
While the exploration of faith and religion as the big theme is new here, it’s not as fresh as it might be given how one young character explored the native traditions of Hawaii back in the first season, and again their wealthy, slightly conservative parents can’t quite understand the appeal or feeling like it’s a failure in upbringing.
Thankfully, the cast help to elevate the material.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan and Leslie Bibb in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
Given the show’s award-winning ways, it’s not surprising that an excellent crop of actors has agreed to show up for Season 3 (and the promise of spending some time in a tropical locale, all expenses paid, doesn’t hurt either). You may find yourself, however, wishing they had fresher scripts to work from –– and there are other issues too.
Walton Goggins plays Rick Hatchett, a wealthy sort (one of those who prefers not to discuss in detail how they earned their fortune) who is traveling with younger girlfriend Chelsea (a funny and spirited type brought to life by ‘Sex Education’s Aimee Lou Wood).
Rick’s the aforementioned man on a mission, though he has not disclosed that to anyone, and Goggins plays him with appropriate snark and gruffness, and he makes for an entertaining duo with Wood.
Then we have Michelle Monaghan’s Jaclyn Lemon, a TV actress traveling with two old friends, Carrie Coon’s Laurie and Leslie Bibb’s Kate. Away for a girls’ trip on Jaclyn’s dime, you won’t be shocked when old issues rear their heads between them and the lure of an attractive young man who works at the hotel drives a wedge into a friendship that was already starting to drift apart over the years.
(L to R) Parker Posey and Jason Isaacs in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
Filling the spot of wealthy-but-troubled family there’s Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff, at the resort with pill-popping wife Victoria (Parker Posey) and their brood, gym bro Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), who has gone into financial business working for his dad, spiritual Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) who has her own reasons for the trip and bookish Lochlan (Sam Nivola), who Saxon is looking to draw out of his shell.
While the performances are all solid, the biggest issue for that group is Isaacs attempting a Texan accent, which seems to wander around the States and occasionally sounds Australian. While the actor has done good work in the past, here the accent gets in his way.
Around them are the staff, including solid supporting turns from Tayme Thapthimthong as ambitious security officer Gaitok, who has a thing for resort worker and dancer Mook (Lalisa Manoban), whose stories will become knotted up with the guests.
And Natasha Rothwell makes a welcome return as Belinda from Season 1, who is given a little more depth here.
Final Thoughts
Patrick Schwarzenegger in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
‘The White Lotus’ knows what it needs to do each season and does it with style. If it perhaps feels a little less fresh these days, there is still enough mystery to keep you hooked and ready to spend time with these people –– no matter how annoying some of them might turn out to be.
HBO gave press the first six episodes of eight, so we can’t tell you whether the show solves its lingering background mystery as well as previous seasons, but it’ll keep you guessing.
3Xp3ggJ95wtjBgecKT1Vb3
What’s the plot of ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
The new season of the show brings a fresh group of wealthy characters (and the return of Natasha Rothwell’s spa worker Belinda Lindsey from Season 1’s Maui resort, who is hoping to pick up some tips from the staff) traveling to the lush jungles and beaches of Thailand.
Here, some of the characters are ready to explore faith and mysticism, others are looking for some much needed bonding time and at least one has a dark hidden agenda for their trip that could have a tragic fallout.
Who is in the cast of ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
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 Lemon
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
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
(Left) Jason Isaacs as Cary Grant in ‘Archie.’ Photo: BritBox International. (Center Left) Parker Posey stars in director Ari Aster’s ‘Beau Is Afraid.’ (Center Right) Leslie Bibb as Ellie in ‘About My Father.’ Photo Credit: Dan Anderson. (Right) Michelle Monaghan in ‘The Family Plan,’ premiering December 15, 2023 on Apple TV+.
Preview:
Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey and Michelle Monaghan have boarded ‘The White Lotus’ for Season 3.
Mike White is back to write and direct the series.
Season 3 will be set in Thailand.
We’ve had to wait longer than originally thought for our next visit to a White Lotus property –– the fictional luxury resorts that form the backdrop for Mike White’s darkly comic series ‘The White Lotus’, which has, across two seasons, brought to life some grotesque characters and others who interact with them.
With White gearing up to start work on the next season, we know some of the people who will be showing up in the cast.
Who has joined ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3?
Jason Isaacs as Cary Grant in ‘Archie.’ Photo: BritBox International.
There are also the rumored names who are even less official at this point: Woody Harrelson, Walton Goggins and Patrick Schwarzenegger are among those who are mooted. We’ll see if any of those become a reality.
The new additions join Natasha Rothwell, who will reprise the role of Belinda from the first season (you might recall her as the kindly, enthusiastic spa worker who strikes up a friendship with Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya McQuoid).
Jennifer Coolidge in HBO’s ‘The White Lotus.’ Photograph by Fabio Lovino/HBO.
There are no details about the story for this one yet, though we can reliably assume that it’ll follow a group of wealthy, privileged types and the associated hotel staff and hangers-on who orbit them.
Do we think there might be a murder or a mysterious death that is teased early on and explained towards the end? Given the format to date, it’s a fair guess.
Where will the new season of ‘The White Lotus’ take place?
(L to R) Haley Lu Richardson and Leo Woodall in ‘The White Lotus’ season 2. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
Following stays in Hawaii and then Italy, the third season’s locale has been confirmed as Thailand, where a Four Seasons property will be transformed into the White Lotus brand of hotels.
Here’s what Janet Graham Borba, executive vice president of production for HBO & Max said about the choice:
“We are pleased to partner with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to execute Mike’s creative vision and showcase all that the beautiful country of Thailand has to offer, as the next group of guests check in to the White Lotus.”
You do have to wonder if White is just picking locations from his vacation bucket list, but when the show is as entertaining as this, it’s hard to hold it against him.
When will ‘The White Lotus’ be on screens?
HBO and Max have yet to announce a date for this one, though if completed in time it could be on screens before the end of the year –– though more likely it’ll be 2025.
Aubrey Plaza in ‘The White Lotus’ season 2. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
(L to R) Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks star in ‘Migration.’
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks to talk about their work on ‘’Migration,’ their first reaction to Mike White’s script, playing ducks and relating to their characters, Mack and Pam’s relationship, where they would like to travel but have been afraid to, and working with director Benjamin Renner.
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, ‘Migration.’
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Nanjiani and Banks, as well as Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key.
Moviefone: To begin with, Kumail, what was your first reaction to Mike White’s script about this overprotective duck dad?
Kumail Nanjiani: I thought it was very funny. I thought it was very exciting. There was a lot of thrilling stuff in it, and I was like, “Oh, I would love to play this duck.” I was the duck; the duck is me. I’m scared of outside. That’s exactly who I am. I am this duck. Just as Elizabeth is Pam, I am Mack.
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, ‘Migration.’
MF: Elizabeth, what was your reaction to the screenplay, and could you relate to Pam immediately?
Elizabeth Banks: I felt like Mike White had been listening into my conversations with my children. He loves research and he’s sneaky, so he probably was listening in. (Producer) Chris Meledandri called to offer me Pam. He kind of described it, and I was like, “Oh, yeah. I’m going to get this right away.” I hesitate to say woman, but I will just say I related it to being a woman who is looking to break out, who’s been taking care of everybody, and just wants a sunny day where she doesn’t have to worry about anything like, “Is it so hard to want to put my feet in the warm sand?” She’s looking for support from her family, who she does nothing but support all the time. I really felt like, “Wow, women are going to relate to this.”
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, ‘Migration.’
MF: This is odd to say about two ducks, but Mack and Pam have a very healthy and loving marriage. Can you talk about that?
EB: Well, we talked about how we’re both longtime married people, and we talked about how this movie wasn’t just about the family. It really is about this couple, and reconnecting, and giving compromise and respect. Giving each other the opportunity to show what the other is capable of, and surprise and grow.
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, ‘Migration.’
KN: It’s compromise and communication and learning from each other. All that stuff. I mean, two people make something greater than themselves.
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, ‘Migration.’
MF: Kumail, Mack is afraid to travel and leave his home. Is there anywhere in the world that you would love to travel, but have been afraid to, for any reason?
KN: Yeah. I don’t want to say the names of those places. I don’t want to upset any tourism boards. But there are a couple of places I can think of right now that I’d love to go to, but I think it’s just a little bit dangerous. I do love traveling. I like going to other places. Emily (V. Gordon) and I do that a lot, we try. We’re lucky enough that we get to do it if we want to, and we try and leave the country twice a year, not for work. So very lucky that we get to do that because I like all kinds of food. That’s the main reason to go anywhere.
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, ‘Migration.’
MF: Finally, Elizabeth, can you talk about the recording process and working with director Benjamin Renner?
EB: Well, he’s so detail oriented. I love that, right? It’s like he’s got an idea about something, and he was good at communicating. Then he also remained open if it was like, “Oh, my gosh. That tickled me. I never thought about it that way.” So, I really felt there was a great back and forth in collaboration. He worked so hard on this movie. It’s so beautiful. We really did not see the finished product until the very end. I mean, those details get laid in so late. I’ve seen it three times and I’m going to take all my nephews.
ec3P3OFeTUV1epK8NiWdB5
What is the plot of ‘Migration’?
The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England Pond forever, mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks) is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and duckling daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal)—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.
As the Mallards make their way south for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.
This holiday season, Illumination invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, Migration.
Monday evening was what the ceremony always describes as “television’s biggest night” – when the industry hands out the Emmy Awards to a select few from the hundreds of eligible shows and performers.
The ceremony itself ran relatively smoothly, with ‘Saturday Night Live’ veteran Kenan Thompson hosting, kicking off the evening with a medley of re-imagined classic TV theme tunes. There was the usual stilted banter between presenters (though a few, such as Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ elevated theirs), celebrations of TV genres such as police and medical dramas and the In Memoriam segment.
But what everyone was there for were the awards themselves. And while there were several repeat winners (‘Succession’, ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Hacks’ Jean Smart), there remained room for fresh faces and welcome surprises.
Quinta Brunson’s ‘Abbott Elementary’ took home Best Writing for a Comedy Series, while cast member Sheryl Lee Ralph won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Ralph’s speech in particular, a blend of surprise, joy and encouragement for others, was a highlight of the show.
Quinta Brunson on ABC’s ‘Abbott Elementary.’ Photo Courtesy of ABC’s YouTube Channel.
Mike White’s ‘The White Lotus’ dominated the limited series category (though given that season 2 arrives next month with an almost totally new cast, it more closely fits into the anthology part of its category), winning overall show and both writing and directing for White. Actors Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge went home with well-deserved trophies.
And ‘Squid Game’ made history for Asian creators and performers, as lead Lee Jung-jae won Best Actor in the drama category, while show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk saw his decade-long effort to get it made rewarded with Best Director, drama.
Though everyone thought ‘Ted Lasso’ might sweep even more than it did given its haul of nominations, it still won plenty of awards, including Brett Goldstein becoming the first back to back winner in the Supporting Actor, comedy category since 2007.
Of those who missed out on awards, there was disappointment for the ‘Better Call Saul’ team, which has its last chance to turn its many nominations into awards next year. Will the power of a great show’s legacy make voters think kindly of it? And when a show as superbly written and performed as ‘Only Murders in the Building’, which balances comedy and mystery adeptly can’t get any love, you’ve got to wonder at the choices.
(L to R) Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
‘Ted Lasso’ – Winner
‘Abbott Elementary’
‘Barry’
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
‘Hacks’
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’
‘Only Murders in the Building’
‘What We Do in the Shadows’
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jean Smart (‘Hacks’) – Winner Rachel Brosnahan (‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’)
Quinta Brunson (‘Abbott Elementary’) Kaley Cuoco (‘The Flight Attendant’) Elle Fanning (‘The Great’) Issa Rae (‘Insecure’)
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jason Sudeikis (‘Ted Lasso’) – Winner Donald Glover (‘Atlanta’) Bill Hader (‘Barry’) Nicholas Hoult (‘The Great’)
Steve Martin (‘Only Murders in the Building’)
Martin Short (‘Only Murders in the Building’)
‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ – Winner
‘The Daily Show With Trevor Noah’
‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
‘Late Night With Seth Meyers’
‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’
BEST VARIETY SKETCH SERIES
‘Saturday Night Live’ – Winner
‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’
BEST COMPETITION PROGRAM
‘Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls’ – Winner
‘The Amazing Race’
‘Nailed It!’
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
‘Top Chef’
‘The Voice’
BEST DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Hwang Dong-hyuk (‘Squid Game’) – Winner
Jason Bateman (‘Ozark’) Ben Stiller (‘Severance’) Mark Mylod (‘Succession’)
Cathy Yan (‘Succession’) Lorene Scafaria (‘Succession’) Karyn Kusama (‘Yellowjackets’)
BEST DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
MJ Delaney (‘Ted Lasso’) – Winner
Hiro Murai (‘Atlanta’)
Bill Hader (‘Barry’)
Lucia Aniello (‘Hacks’)
Mary Lou Belli (‘The Ms. Pat Show’) Jamie Babbit (‘Only Murders in the Building’) Cherien Dabis (‘Only Murders in the Building’)
BEST WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Quinta Brunson (‘Abbott Elementary’) – Winner
Duffy Boudreau (‘Barry’) Alec Berg, Bill Hader (‘Barry’)
Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky (‘Hacks’)
Steve Martin, John Hoffman (‘Only Murders in the Building’) Jane Becker (‘Ted Lasso’)
Sarah Naftalis (‘What We Do in the Shadows’)
Stefani Robinson (‘What We Do in the Shadows’)
BEST WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Jesse Armstrong (‘Succession’) – Winner Thomas Schnauz (‘Better Call Saul’) Chris Mundy (‘Ozark’) Dan Erickson (‘Severance’)
Hwang Dong-hyuk (‘Squid Game’)
Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson (‘’Yellowjackets)
Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson (‘Yellowjackets’)
BEST WRITING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Mike White (‘The White Lotus’) – Winner
Danny Strong (‘Dopesick’) Elizabeth Meriwether (‘The Dropout’)
Sarah Burgess (‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’)
Molly Smith Metzler (‘Maid’)
Patrick Somerville (‘Station Eleven’)
