'The White Lotus' season 3: Everything you need to know

Natasha Rothwell in The White Lotus
(Image credit: HBO)

It's time to check in for your third stay at "The White Lotus"! We've been waiting quite some time — the second season ended in December 2022 — but now "The White Lotus" season 3 is finally here.  Hope you're ready for a wild stay.

"The White Lotus" first premiered in July 2021 as a limited series set in the titular hotel in Hawaii. It explored the problems of the privileged (mostly white) people as well as the humiliations dealt to the long-suffering staff members tasked with serving them. 

The show's success in the ratings and on the awards circuit (as well as its multiple memes, many of which focused on actress Jennifer Coolidge) led to season 2, which shifted the location to Sicily and the focus to sex and power struggles.

Season 3 includes a brand new cast with a different theme as well this time as the show travels to Thailand for its latest outing. Whether you're looking to learn a bit about the "The White Lotus" season 3 before watching or you need a refresher between watching each weekly episode, read on for more. 

'The White Lotus' season 3 release schedule

The White Lotus Season 3 | Official Trailer | Max - YouTube The White Lotus Season 3 | Official Trailer | Max - YouTube
Watch On

"The White Lotus" season 3 officially premiered on HBO on February 16, 2025.

New episodes air each week at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and stream on Max.

'The White Lotus' season 3 cast

"The White Lotus" is an anthology series, so with each new season, there are new faces to be seen. Season 3 is no different, and there's a whole host of new cast members that you'll be seeing around the hotel.

In April 2023, Variety reported that Natasha Rothwell, who portrayed spa manager Belinda Lindsey, would be booking another appearance in season 3.

While "White Lotus" season 3 might bring back some of the previous two seasons' characters, Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) won't be one of them since she died after shooting the mafioso gays and then tumbling off the yacht.

While the decision to kill off a beloved character might seem strange, creator White said, "I was thinking, it’d be so fun to bring Tanya back because she’s such a great character, but maybe that’s the journey for her, a journey to death. Not that I really wanted to kill Tanya because I love her as a character and obviously love Jennifer, but I just felt like, we’re going to Italy, she’s such a diva — a larger-than-life female archetype — it felt like we could devise our own operatic conclusion to Tanya’s life and her story."

A wide variety of new actors have joined the crew in "White Lotus" season 3, however, including K-pop Blackpink member Lisa, who is credited under her full name, Lalisa Manobal. This is Lisa's first acting role, following fellow Blackpink member Jennie's debut in HBO series "The Idol." Here are other "White Lotus" season 3 cast members:

  • 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
  • Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff
  • Lek Patravadi
  • Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff
  • Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey
  • Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxton Ratliff
  • Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok
  • Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea
  • Nicholas Duvernay
  • Arnas Fedaravičius
  • Christian Friedel
  • Scott Glenn
  • Dom Hetrakul
  • Julian Kostov
  • Charlotte Le Bon
  • Morgana O'Reilly
  • Shalini Peiris

Some of the new cast members' roles have yet to be revealed, but with all of the rapid reveals of who's coming on board for season 3, you'll find out sooner than later with new episodes each week. 

'The White Lotus' season 3 location

Welcome to The White Lotus: Thailand!

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and HBO previously announced that filming on "The White Lotus" season 3 is took place last February in Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui.

“We are honored to have amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of ‘The White Lotus,’” said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, in a press release.

“The kingdom’s exotic natural beauty, rich historical sites and diverse landscapes are the perfect settings to share our fascinating culture, fantastic cuisine, top-notch wellness and luxury offerings, and most importantly our people and Thai hospitality.”

Season 1 was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and season 2 was filmed at San Domenico Palace, a five-star resort operated by Four Seasons in the town of Taormina, Sicily.

'The White Lotus' season 3 plot and season 2 ending

The second season of "The White Lotus" left audiences with plenty of lingering questions, particularly surrounding Greg and the shocking events that lead to Tanya's death. With that in mind, it seems the next season could potentially build on these happenings, particularly to address a variety of questions that went unanswered at the season's conclusion.

The finale sparked intrigue about Greg's true intentions toward Tanya, his mysterious phone conversation, and whether Portia would ever confront him about the extent of his responsibility.

As for the third season, creator White previously hinted at a shift in setting and thematic focus. While the first season delved into the dynamics of wealth and the second into the complexities of sexual relationships, season 3 will explore themes of death and Eastern spirituality. This pivot could change the series' mood significantly, but in a way that could end up attracting new eyes.

Brittany Vincent

Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She's also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the next great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
The White Lotus season 3
‘The White Lotus’ season 3 trailer teases murder and mystery in Thailand
Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood in "The White Lotus" season 3
'The White Lotus' season 3 release schedule — when do new episodes stream on Max?
The White Lotus season 3
‘The White Lotus’ season 3 is its wildest yet — here’s how long it’ll take for your jaw to drop
L-R: Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola walk down the street in HBO's "The White Lotus" season 3
'The White Lotus' scores early renewal ahead of season 3 premiere at HBO — what we know right now
Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood in "The White Lotus" season 3
How to watch 'The White Lotus' season 3 online and from anywhere — release date, TV channels, what havoc will the full moon play?
The White Lotus season 3
I finally caught up with ‘The White Lotus’ — and I’m a fool for waiting this long
Latest in HBO Max
Poster for The Sex Lives of College Girls
'The Sex Lives of College Girls' canceled by Max after 3 seasons
(From L to R) Rohan (Nik Dodani), Josh (Brandon Flynn), Dorothy (Edie Falco), John (Dean Norris), and Liddie (Lisa Kuthrow) in The Parenting
Max top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
In court in Dedham, Massachusetts. (From left) Attorney Emily Little, Karen Read and attorney David Yannetti
How to watch 'A Body in The Snow: The Trial of Karen Read' from anywhere online
Joaquin Phoenix as Beau in Beau is Afraid
Joaquin Phoenix's divisive dark comedy arrives on Max — and I can't stop thinking about it
Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed in "Heretic"
Max top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Hugh Grant in "Heretic"
Hugh Grant’s terrifying villain turn just landed on Max — and it’s got 91% on Rotten Tomatoes
Latest in News
Google Pixel 9a hands-on.
Pixel 9a’s on-device AI isn’t as good as the Pixel 9 — here’s what’s different
Cristin Milioti in "Black Mirror" season 7 coming to Netflix
5 biggest Netflix movies and shows I can’t wait to watch in spring 2025
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
Users complain that Siri can’t answer even the most basic questions — here’s what we know
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony Xperia 1 VII could get a 200MP main camera to challenge Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16 next to samsung galaxy watch 7 and bose wireless earbuds on a composite image
Apple's walled garden is crumbling — EU orders iOS to open up to third-party devices
Sourdough Sidekick
Feeding your sourdough starter just got a lot easier with this new smart gadget