‘The White Lotus’ Season 3: Release Date Speculation, News, Cast, and More

The White Lotus Season 3 is returning and is amping up for production in Thailand. While an official release date has not yet been set, series creator Mike White and network HBO Max have started teasing what’s to come when the luxury resort-set show returns.

Here’s everything we know so far about the next chapter of the Emmy award-winning series.

Where Will Season 3 Be Set?

The White Lotus Season 3 will be set in Thailand. The previous seasons were filmed at Four Seasons resorts in Hawaii and Italy, fueling speculation that Season 3 will shoot at one of Four Seasons’ upscale beachside properties in Thailand.

The high-end hotel chain operates several resorts situated throughout popular Thai destinations. Those locations include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and the Golden Triangle countryside. 

Creator Mike White had previously suggested that Season 3 could take viewers to Asia. “I think it’d be fun to maybe go to a whole different continent,” White confessed.

What Will Season 3 Be About?

Full plot details remain tightly under wraps. However, Mike White has hinted that the third season may focus on “death and Eastern religion and spirituality.”

In an interview clip after Season 2 aired, White said, “The first season kind of highlighted money. And then the second season is sex. I think the third season… It would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.”

White also teased that Season 3 could tie up unfinished business from Season 2 involving Tanya’s gruesome yacht death and her husband Greg’s morally questionable actions. In a post-finale interview, White said he felt “somebody who’s gonna track it back down to Greg,” given the bloody boat explosion likely meant to cover up foul play.

Viewers definitely want more answers about the ambiguous ending to Tanya and Greg’s story. Perhaps Portia, who was scared enough to just leave it alone before, will gain the courage to fully expose what she knows, or someone else will trace the full conspiracy back to Greg.

A recent production notice also included the following description for the upcoming season:

Follows a number of visitors vacationing at The White Lotus, an exclusive resort. Over the span of two weeks, a darker complexity emerges in these seemingly picture-perfect travelers, the hotel’s cheerful employees and the idyllic locale itself. Season 3 checks out of Italy and will center a different group of vacationers as they book their stay in Thailand at another White Lotus property and settle in temporarily amongst its inhabitants. 

Who’s Returning for Season 3?

As an anthology, The White Lotus generally features a new star-studded ensemble each season, with a few beloved familiar faces mixed in. It’s unlikely Jennifer Coolidge will return as Tanya after how things ended in Season 2. However, actor Natasha Rothwell is confirmed to return as the kind-hearted and insightful spa manager Belinda.

Meanwhile, creator Mike White hinted that Dominic Di Grasso could potentially return.

“Who knows, maybe there’ll be another White Lotus season where Dominic comes with his wife. And they patch it all up,” White teased.

Imperioli said he doesn’t want to expect too much but would love to return, telling Town & Country, “I don’t want to be disappointed…I would want nothing more than that. I just loved working with Mike so much.” 

Connie Britton has also expressed interest in reprising her Season 1 role as the tone-deaf and overbearing mother Nicole Mossbacher. She has spoken about the possibility, saying White wanted her to return for a second season and had plans for a Season 3 comeback.

Will Woody Harrelson Return?

A recent production notice also mentioned that Woody Harrelson may be joining the ensemble cast as well. However, since that notice went out, HBO and Max streaming chief Casey Bloys confirmed that Harrelson would not be involved.

“Woody isn’t attached. [Creator] Mike White has had conversations with a lot of people, and Woody was one of them. One of the issues when you’re shooting overseas is people’s schedules. You have most of the casting, though there are a couple more roles. But Woody is not one of them.” Bloys revealed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Confirmed Cast for The White Lotus Season 3

Francesca Corney (The Buccaneers), Nicholas Duvernay (Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living), and Arnas Fedaravičius (The Last Kingdom) are the latest cast members to join Season 3. They join previously announced cast members Leslie Bibb, Miloš Biković, Carrie Coon, Christian Friedel, Walton Goggins, and Dom Hetrakul. Also starring will be Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Morgana O’Reilly, Lek Patravadi, Shalini Peiris, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong and Aimee Lou Wood. 

When Will The White Lotus Season 3 Premiere?

In early November 2023, Bloys commented on the network’s reworked schedule due to last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

“White Lotus season 3 probably would have been in play for 2024,” Bloys revealed during a press event. “[Now] it’s 2025.”

The good news is that the series is returning to production in Thailand in early February 2024. Production is expected to continue through July 2024. So we’re hopeful that the show may return to the small screen earlier in 2025 instead of later.

HBO Max continues to show support for the series, with HBO executive Francesca Orsi expressing her excitement for Season 3 as well.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that we get to experience yet another vacation with Mike White and this incredible cast,” Orsi said.

For now, viewers will have to tide themselves over by re-watching the first two seasons, which are available to stream on Max.