The White Lotus season 3: everything we know about the HBO show's return

Meghann Fahy and Theo James in The White Lotus season 2
(Image credit: HBO)

The White Lotus season 3 is one step closer to arriving on our screens, as we now have our first official piece of casting information. It was recently confirmed that a fan-favorite character from season 1 is making her return, but more on that later…

We also know which White Lotus resort we'll be traveling to next, with Thailand confirmed as the new season's location after previous installments took us to Hawaii and Sicily. Other official details may still be a little thin on the ground, but we've done our best to predict what we might be able to expect.

Everything you need to know about The White Lotus season 3 is right here, including our best educated guess at a release date and hints from series creator Mike White about what we can expect from the next installment of HBO's hit satirical comedy.

The White Lotus season 3 release window 

The White Lotus season 2

(Image credit: HBO)

The White Lotus season 3 doesn't have an official release date yet, but we can do our best to predict when we might be able to expect it on HBO. Season 1 was released in July 2021, with season 2 following in October 2022 – if season 3 follows a similar pattern, we can expect it to arrive on our screens in late 2023. 

The White Lotus season 3 trailer 

Tom Hollander and Jennifer Coolidge in The White Lotus season 2

(Image credit: HBO)

The season 2 trailer was released almost a month before the first episode was released, with season 1 following a similar schedule, so we'll have a while to wait before we can expect a season 3 trailer. Expect mid-2023 at the earliest, or even later depending on when filming begins.

The White Lotus season 3 location: Where will it be set?

The White Lotus

(Image credit: HBO/Sky)

The location of The White Lotus season 3 has now been revealed – and the show is heading to Thailand. Whereabouts in the country is still unknown, but considering the series has always used Four Seasons hotels as filming locations that means there are four options in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and the Golden Triangle.

Series creator Mike White previously dropped some hints about an Asian setting and what that would entail for the show. "The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex," he said in HBO’s inside the episode featurette for the finale. "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."

The White Lotus season 3 cast 

Simona Tabasco and Beatrice Granno in The White Lotus season 2

(Image credit: HBO)

Although we can probably expect a brand new host of characters to check in at the White Lotus in season 3, one familiar face has been confirmed to return. Natasha Rothwell, who played spa manager Belinda in season 1, will be back for the show's third installment. We last saw her at the Hawaiian branch of the resort chain, where she struck up a friendship with Jennifer Coolidge's wealthy socialite Tanya. However, the season ended with their relationship going sour after Tanya walked back her promise to invest in Belinda's wellness business. 

Aside from Rothwell, no other actors have been confirmed yet. However, as an anthology series, the show has had different casts for both seasons so far and only one familiar face returned from season 1 to season 2 – the aforementioned Tanya (and her husband Greg, played by Jon Gries). 

Of course, Coolidge won't be returning for any further installments, as Tanya met a tragic fate at the end of season 2. Greg, however, could still return, although it seems unlikely – his storyline is tied up with Tanya's, and as she's now in a body bag in Sicily... Well, we don't really see any point in him returning. Unless, of course, he's got another scam to pull off and another wealthy wife to have killed off.  

Season 1 and season 2 both had big names attached, so we can be sure to expect some A-listers joining for season 3 regardless.

The White Lotus season 3 plot 

Haley Lu Richardson and Leo Woodall in The White Lotus season 2

(Image credit: HBO)

So, we know that we'll be heading to a luxury resort somewhere in Thailand for The White Lotus season 3, and it will look at death and Eastern spirituality through a satirical lens. Plus, Belinda the spa manager looks to have had a job transfer across the Pacific. 

Of course, there'll no doubt be another dead body – or dead bodies, plural, if we follow the trajectory of season 2. As for other plot points, that's hard to predict until we have an idea of season 3's characters. Stay tuned for more details – we'll be the first to update you.


For more viewing inspiration, check out our guide to the best new TV shows coming our way in 2022 and beyond.

Entertainment Writer

I’m an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering everything film and TV-related across the Total Film and SFX sections. I help bring you all the latest news and also the occasional feature too. I’ve previously written for publications like HuffPost and i-D after getting my NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism.