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The White Lotus is one of those rare shows that keeps fans glued to their screens, with its unique storylines and characters that keep everyone talking. What makes this show even more interesting is how it handles its cast, both on and off-camera. One of the standout aspects is that all the cast members are paid the same amount.
David Bernad, the producer of the show, recently explained the reasoning behind this in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He shared that everyone on set is treated equally, which includes having the same pay across the board. He also pointed out that the show uses an alphabetical billing system, meaning no one’s name gets special treatment or a bigger spot on the credits. According to Bernad, this system ensures that the actors involved are truly passionate about the project, rather than just in it for the money or fame.
This approach was established during the show’s first season, which had a much smaller budget than it does now. Back then, each episode was produced for under $4 million, which is a fraction of what the newer seasons cost. For the most recent season, episodes are reported to cost between $6 million and $7 million each.
Meredith Tucker, the casting director for The White Lotus, also spoke about how this pay structure simplifies things when it comes to getting actors involved. She mentioned that this system makes it clear to everyone upfront what the pay is, so there are no surprises. Of course, some actors might turn it down if the pay doesn’t meet their needs, but Tucker pointed out that it’s important to respect those decisions, especially for actors who need to make a living.
As for the actors themselves, Bernad said that the regular cast members are “pretty much doing this for scale,” meaning they’re working for a standard, set payment. He also made it clear that the pay structure is “non-negotiable,” meaning everyone gets the same amount. Reports suggest that actors are making around $40,000 per episode.
Even though Season 3 of The White Lotus has already wrapped up, the show is still buzzing on social media, with fans discussing everything from the plot twists to the characters. If you haven’t yet watched, all three seasons of The White Lotus are available to stream on MAX.