“Relax, it’s a vacation. What could possibly go wrong?”
If that line sends a chill down your spine and a knowing smirk to your face, you’re not alone. HBO’s The White Lotus has turned getaways into a deliciously dark blend of satire, mystery, and drama. After two unforgettable seasons, 10 Emmys, two Golden Globes, and two Critics Choice Awards, plus a conquer of virtually all social media, Season 3 is officially approaching. New location? Check. Fresh cast of characters? Check. Juicy chaos simmering under a glossy surface? Oh, you bet.
Let’s unpack everything we know so far about this season’s destination and why we’re ready to book another trip with The White Lotus—even if it means some baggage comes along for the ride.
Advertisement All the Inside Scoop on The White Lotus Season 3!
The White Lotus season 3 is set to premiere on Sunday, February 16, 2025, on HBO and will also be available to stream on Max. The show has been named one of the top 10 TV programs of 2021 and 2022 by the American Film Institute. Known for its clever and darkly comedic storytelling, The White Lotus tackles big themes like sexuality, morality, wealth, gender, and power struggles between different social classes.
Each season is an anthology, offering a fresh story with a new setting and a new cast of characters (though a few familiar faces may return). The show is consistent in how it contrasts its sunny, beautiful settings with the darker, more complex lives of the characters, revealing twists along the way.
Season 1 focused on wealth, season 2 explored sex, and season 3 will dive into death and spirituality, as hinted by creator Mike White in 2022. Lead actor Carrie Coon confirmed that the season will explore “death in the middle of a Buddhist way of life.”
What we know so far about season 3 suggests the story will follow a multi-generational group, including a patriarch, a female corporate executive, an actress, a couple of mothers (including a country club wife), a misfit, and a yogi. Even though the theme and plot of season 3 will be different from the past ones, expect the show to keep its familiar elements: an exotic location, eerie hotel staff, mysterious guests, and one unforgettable, drama-filled vacation.
The White Lotus Season 3: Trailer Reveals New Characters and Tension
The trailer, which lasts about a minute and a half, gives us our first real look at the characters and the problems they bring to the resort. Walton Goggins’ character seems uncomfortable at the resort, and his constant arguments with his spouse make him hard to be around. Parker Posey plays a woman who is heavily medicated and looking for something. Meanwhile, Natasha Rothwell‘s character, Belinda, is sent to the Thailand location of The White Lotus for training, but things take a serious turn when someone brings a gun to the scene.
The White Lotus Season 3 Cast: Returning Faces and New Additions
The cast for The White Lotus season 3 has largely been revealed, but the characters remain unknown. Natasha Rothwell will return as Belinda from season 1, making her the only confirmed returning cast member so far. While many familiar names have been attached to the season, no character names or details have been disclosed yet. Jennifer Coolidge, a key figure in the series, will not return, as her character Tanya was killed off in season 2.
HBO announced in November 2023 that season 3 will feature nine main characters, aged 18 to 80, along with thirteen additional roles. These include a patriarch, a corporate executive, an actress, a few mothers, a misfit, and a yoga enthusiast, but the actors playing these roles have not been revealed yet. The cast of season 3 includes:
| Parker Posey |  |
| Leslie Bibb |  |
| Dom Hetrakul |  |
| Jason Isaacs |  |
| Natasha Rothwell |  |
| Michelle Monaghan |  |
| Tayme Thapthimthong |  |
| Carrie Coon |  |
| Walton Goggins |  |
| Patrick Schwarzenegger |  |
| Aimee Lou Wood |  |
| Sarah Catherine Hook |  |
| Sam Nivola |  |
| Charlotte Le Bon |  |
| Nicholas Duvernay |  |
| Arnas Fedaravičius |  |
| Lisa |  |
| Shalini Peiris |  |
| Patravadi Mejudhon |  |
| Morgana O’Reilly |  |
| Julian Kostov |  |
| Scott Glenn |  |
| Christian Friedel |  |
Upcoming Episodes of The White Lotus Season 3
The White Lotus Season 3 will be longer than the previous two seasons, with eight episodes lasting 55 to 77 minutes each. After the premiere on February 16, 2025, a new episode will be released every week until April. The season finale will air on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Here’s a look at the upcoming episodes for The White Lotus season 3.
| Episode | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| S3.E1 | Sun, Feb 16, 2025 | TBA |
| S3.E2 | TBA | At a tropical resort, the lives of guests and employees intertwine and unfold over a week, revealing diverse stories. |
| S3.E3 | TBA | TBA |
| S3.E4 | TBA | TBA |
| S3.E5 | TBA | TBA |
| S3.E6 | TBA | TBA |
| S3.E7 | TBA | TBA |
| S3.E8 | TBA | At a tropical resort, guests and staff experience a week filled with adventures, secrets, and unexpected encounters. |
Top Filming Spots for The White Lotus Season 3
According to the latest updates, The White Lotus season 3 started filming in February 2024 in different locations across Thailand, like Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok. Expect to see some beautiful coastal spots. Patrick Schwarzenegger shared on social media that principal photography wrapped up in August 2024, posting behind-the-scenes pictures.
When talking about the filming experience, Jason Isaacs described it as “a five-star, gilded Groundhog Day,” saying…
It was my first time filming in Thailand and being away for six and a half months somewhere doing a job without coming home at all, and being in it all that time. It was intense. It was a lot of things.
HBO Max: The Perfect Home for The White Lotus Season 3
If you love The White Lotus, HBO Max is the best place to watch season 3. It makes it easy to stream all episodes with high-quality video and sound. HBO Max also offers exclusive content and a simple, user-friendly experience. Whether you’re new to the show or a longtime fan, HBO Max gives you the best way to enjoy all the drama and surprises The White Lotus has to offer. Subscription rates for Max are:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Yearly Price (16% Savings) |
|---|---|---|
| With Ads | $9.99 | $99.99 |
| Ad-Free | $16.99 | $169.99 |
Max boasts an extensive library of shows, ensuring a diverse range of entertainment options for subscribers, such as The Penguin Season 1, We’re Here Season 4, Ghosts Season 4, New York Giants Hard Knocks, One South Portrait of a Psych Unit, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (2024)’and Jujutsu Kaisen’s Action.
What’s the Social Media Saying about the Return of The White Lotus?
The excitement for The White Lotus Season 3 is buzzing on social media, with fans eager to dive into the new drama, characters, and locations.
FAQs
After Warner Bros. Discovery teased in a December conference that The White Lotus would return with season three in February 2025.
No, she will not be appearing in the season 3.
As the only returning cast member, Natasha Rothwell will return in her season 1 role as spa manager Belinda Lindsey.
Kai ends up meeting and hooking up with Paula. Paula encourages Kai to steal jewelry from the Mossbacher family’s room to get the money he needs for the native Hawaiian people. He agrees to participate in the robbery but eventually gets caught and arrested.
The White Lotus’ Season 3 includes BLACKPINK’s Lisa making her acting debut!
It was enough to allow Ethan to release his jealousy and finally see his wife with renewed desire, leading them to finally have sex for the first time all season.
Bottom Line
The White Lotus season 3 is set to bring a fresh and thrilling storyline, continuing the show’s tradition of mixing luxury with dark, complex drama. With its amazing new locations and interesting characters, the season is sure to captivate audiences. As the story unfolds, expect deeper explorations of life, power, and mystery, all while keeping the tension high and the twists unpredictable. Fans are in for another unforgettable season full of surprises and unforgettable moments.