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The White Lotus has reached a major milestone, garnering the highest ratings in the series’ history with its third season! This season takes fans to the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, following the success of the second season filmed in Italy. While the exotic locale has captivated audiences, creator Mike White recently revealed that Thailand wasn’t initially his first choice for the show’s next destination.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, White shared a personal anecdote about his initial reluctance to return to Thailand. “I was in Thailand when my dad and I got eliminated from The Amazing Race,” he recalled. The experience, where they had to wait at an elimination station with other bitter contestants, left a sour impression on him. “I was just like, ‘I don’t ever want to come back here,’” he admitted.
Originally, White had planned to film The White Lotus Season 3 in Japan, following the show’s previous settings in Hawaii and Italy. However, the studio had other ideas. HBO’s Chief Content Officer, Casey Bloys, explained that the decision to film in Thailand was driven by practical considerations. “Obviously, you take into account the country’s infrastructure, available crews, and tax breaks,” he said.
Though initially reluctant, White agreed to visit Thailand out of courtesy to the studio. Little did he know, the trip would lead to a groundbreaking creative revelation. White recounted catching bronchitis and being hospitalized, which required the use of a nebulizer. After two sleepless days, White found himself in a feverish state, unable to stop thinking about the show. “The next morning, I told producer David Bernard that I had hallucinated,” White said. “That’s basically what we shot,” Bernard later explained.
The surreal experience ultimately inspired White to delve into the themes of Buddhism for Season 3, adding a unique layer to the show’s already complex narrative. “Thailand worked for the themes that I was trying to get into,” White said, reflecting on how the country’s cultural and spiritual backdrop deeply influenced the season’s storyline.
In the end, what began as an unwelcome return to Thailand turned out to be a creative blessing, allowing The White Lotus to explore new, profound themes.
The White Lotus Season 3 is now available to stream on Max and Amazon Prime Video.