The White Lotus spoilers follow.
Murder's good for business, apparently, because The White Lotus was already renewed again for a third season just a few weeks into the show's second run.
On November 19, 2022, the show's creator, writer and executive producer Mike White celebrated the news in an official statement:
"There's no place I'd rather work than HBO and there's no people I'd rather partner with than Casey Bloys, Francesca Orsi, Nora Skinner and their incredible team. I feel so lucky to get this opportunity again and am excited to reunite with my amazingly talented collaborators on The White Lotus."
Orsi added: "Reflecting on The White Lotus' humble, run-and-gun origin as a contained pandemic production, it's impossible not to be awestruck by how Mike orchestrated one of the buzziest and most critically acclaimed shows.
"And yet, he's only continued to reach new heights in season two, which is the ultimate testament to Mike's raw, unparalleled vision. His courage to explore the uncharted waters of the human psyche, paired with his signature irreverent humour and buoyant directing style, have us all dreaming of more vacation days at the resort we've come to adore. We couldn't be more thrilled to get the chance to collaborate on a third season together."
We're dreaming of more vacation days at the resort as well, but what's the reality behind all this? Who will be next in line to snuff it at The White Lotus? Grab a piña colada and some mace as Digital Spy breaks down everything you need to know about The White Lotus season three.
The White Lotus season 3 potential release date: When will The White Lotus season 3 air?
The early renewal announcement ensures that production won't be delayed too long, but we'll still have to wait a while longer than we'd like judging by the release pattern of previous seasons.
The White Lotus debuted in July 2021, and then season two started to air at the end of October 2022, which makes us think that season three will likely arrive in early 2024, or perhaps even before that if Mike White gets to work quick enough.
The White Lotus season 3 cast: Who will be back for The White Lotus season 3?
Before the season two finale aired, Jennifer Coolidge seemed like a safe bet for season three. Along with her sketchy husband Greg, played by Jon Gries, Tanya is the only main character to appear so far in both seasons.
But now that Tanya's floated out of our lives, does that mean Jennifer Coolidge is out of the show for good, or could she return in a new role?
Speaking to Deadline, creator Mike White said: "Jennifer is my friend and everybody loved her in the first season, and I was like: 'I can't go to Italy without Jennifer.' And maybe that's still the case. Like, maybe you can't go to Japan without Jennifer, either. There are so many fun actors we've worked with so far, so it's just kind of like who's available."
So assuming that Jennifer comes back to play Tanya's long-lost twin sister, who else could join her in a third season? Technically, anyone who survives the first two seasons could reappear given that all these different chapters are set in the same universe. Our money's on Meghann Fahy returning after that unforgettable performance in season two's final episode.
Greg, Tanya's evil cowboy ex, could also come back in the wake of his wife's death, but Jennifer Coolidge seems to be entirely against that proposal.
"My hope for Greg is that he ends up in some horrific jail somewhere. I think dying would be just too good, too easy for him," Coolidge told Deadline after the season two finale aired.
"He's a really creepy guy and was plotting this woman's murder. From the beginning, he saw a woman with a lot of money and wanted to take it from her, and take her life. So, I think he deserves a terrible fate."
If we're looking for new cast members, Men's Health suggested Jack Black and Laura Dern could be a great fit given that they've worked with Mike White before.
In fact, Dern even had a cameo in season two where she played Dom's wife, Abby, over the phone, so that could be the perfect way to bring her in.
The White Lotus season 3 plot: What will happen in The White Lotus season 3?
Season one made us all horny in Hawaii, and now season two has intensified said horniness with a Sicilian getaway that's rather appreciative of the male form, let's say. So what location could be fitting for our next sexcapade in season three?
Speaking to Deadline at the season two premiere of season two, creator Mike White said: "We just turned in our last episode to the network yesterday, so it's hard to think about the next race. But if we did, I think it'd be fun to maybe go to a whole different continent. You know, we did Europe, and maybe Asia, something crazy like that, that would be fun."
After the finale aired, an extra clip pegged to the end reiterated White's interest in a third, Asia-set season, where he explained that:
"The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex. I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus."
Beyond that, we can expect the usual power dynamics that shift around sex, class, and gender, as well as some good old-fashioned butt stuff.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mike White teased something extra though when he revealed what season two was going to look like before Sicily took precedence:
"Originally, it was more of like a Bilderberg conference, more about getting into some of the bigger power dynamics there. But Sicily was a totally different vibe than the idea I pitched. That didn't seem right."
That means we could be seeing some international leaders from across America and Europe get down with their freaky selves at a new White Lotus resort in season three. Assuming, of course, that White is still considering the idea after season two.
The White Lotus season 3 trailer: Any The White Lotus season 3 footage yet?
The White Lotus is a rather exclusive, private affair, but when we've seen some footage, we'll let you in on what's happening because we like you and want to do our part to help. You're welcome!
The White Lotus airs on HBO Max in the US, and on Sky Atlantic, Sky Go and NOW in the UK.
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