Fans of The White Lotus, across the region are already hooked, with its signature blend of razor-sharp satire, luxurious settings, and gripping drama. Season 3 takes audiences to the stunning shores of Thailand for its most lavish – and unpredictable- chapter yet.
If you haven’t started watching yet, now is the time to dive in. Here are five fascinating things you didn’t know about The White Lotus Season 3:
BLACKPINK’s Lalisa Manobal Makes Her Acting Debut
Thai superstar Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, known globally as a member of BLACKPINK, makes her highly anticipated acting debut in The White Lotus Season 3. As one of the world’s most influential K-pop icons, Lisa’s transition to acting marks an exciting new chapter in her career. Her role in the series is set to showcase her versatility beyond music, and is set to be one of the season’s most talked-about performances.
Filming Took Place in Three of Thailand’s Most Exclusive Resorts
This season takes The White Lotus experience to a whole new level of indulgence, filming in some of Thailand’s most ultra-luxurious resorts, including the iconic Four Seasons Koh Samui, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, and Amanpuri in Phuket. The stunning backdrops elevate the show’s opulence, providing a striking contrast to the tensions brewing among its elite guests.
Thailand Wasn’t the Original Location Choice
The setting of The White Lotus is more than just a backdrop—it plays a defining role in shaping the show’s themes, characters, and storytelling. Each season immerses viewers in a new destination, and for Season 3, creator Mike White initially envisioned Japan as the perfect location.
“Originally, it was kind of a stalking horse because I wanted to shoot in Japan. I’ve spent more time there and I just had a vision for doing it in Japan,” White shared. However, after scouting locations in Thailand, he was captivated by the country’s stunning landscapes and welcoming culture. “Then we got to Thailand and obviously it’s such a lovely country, and the people charmed us.”
What ultimately solidified the decision was a deeply personal and unexpected experience. “Then I had a weird experience where I got very sick with some kind of bronchitis and they put me on a nebulizer, 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, so after I got better, I came to the producers and said, ‘I think I just came up with the season, and it’s in Thailand.’”
While White still believes Japan would have been an incredible choice, Thailand proved to be the perfect fit—its spiritual depth, cultural richness, and breathtaking scenery all shaping the most ambitious season of The White Lotus yet.
The Longest Season Yet
For the first time, The White Lotus expands to eight episodes, making it the longest season to date. Season 1 featured six episodes, while Season 2 included seven. This extended format allows for more screen time for character development, deeper storytelling, and an even more immersive dive into the intricate web of relationships, power plays, and societal commentary that the series is famous for.
The Cast Underwent Cultural Training for Authentic Representation
Beyond its luxurious setting, Season 3 of The White Lotus takes inspiration from Thailand’s deep spiritual and cultural roots.
“I’ve read a lot of Buddhism in my life for whatever reason, so the idea that season three would be in a Buddhist country and grapple with some of the concepts of the Buddhist religion excited me,” White explained. “The Buddhist ethos is very ripe with stories and characters, and I got excited about the spiritual dimension of Buddhism and how it really has such an impact on the people and the overall culture that you experience, even indirectly.” This season will weave elements of Buddhism into its storytelling, shaping the character dynamics, conflicts, and underlying themes in a way that feels authentic to its Thai setting.