The White Lotus Season 3: Mike White explores spirituality in Thailand

By Venecia Valentine

Viewers are absolutely loving the latest instalment of HBO’s critically acclaimed series The White Lotus, and it’s clear why.

According to recent stats on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 3 is finely tuned, boasting a staggering 96% rating as the best-reviewed season yet, following the first two, which collectively garnered an impressive 15 Emmys. After just one episode aired, the series soared to the fifth spot on IMDb’s Most Popular TV chart, with its popularity continuing to rise.

Creator Mike White spilled the tea on the new season set in Thailand.

Season 3 takes us away from the tropical paradise of Hawaii and the romantic Mediterranean getaway that is Sicily seen in seasons 1 and 2 (respectively). So, why Thailand? Mike explained: “Originally, I wanted to shoot in Japan. I’ve spent more time there, and I just had a vision for doing it in Japan.

“Then we got to Thailand, and obviously it’s such a lovely country, and the people charmed us. I had a strange experience where I got very sick with some kind of bronchitis, and they put me on a nebuliser, which I’d never been on before, and it kept me awake for 48 hours. In those 48 hours, the whole season came to me. After I got better, I came to the producers and said, ‘I think I’ve just come up with the season, and it’s in Thailand.’”

Mike also credited his inspiration to extensive reading on Buddhism, with a particular focus on the Buddhist religion, which shapes the backdrop of the series’ setting.

With the show’s evolving themes, each season brings a fresh exploration of societal issues. Season 1 examined privilege dynamics, while Season 2 tackled sexual relations. “This season is dealing with more religion, spirituality, and God, so the show itself and the kinds of stories these characters are facing are a little more existential and tragic,” Mike says.

He adds: “The stories these characters are facing are a little more existential and tragic.”

Sadly, our beloved heroine Tanya (played by the amazing Jennifer Coolidge) won’t be returning (RIP, queen – you would have loved Thailand). However, there are at least two familiar faces… Season 3 features the return of Season 1’s Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell), the visiting spa manager from the Hawaiian White Lotus, and *SPOILER* Tonya’s suspicious husband, Greg (Jon Gries). The duo joins a new cast that includes Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Michelle Monaghan.

So, what brings Greg to Thailand? And who’s going to bite it this season? You won’t want to miss this eight-part series airing on Showmax and M-Net every Monday.