Should you’re something like us, you possibly can nonetheless hear the sound — that sickening ping that marked the tip of Jennifer Coolidge’s tenure as one of the best a part of The White Lotus.
Sorry for opening with a spoiler, however hey — it has been over a yr!
In case you managed to efficiently block the incident out of your reminiscence, Coolidge’s lovably ditzy Tanya McQuoid-Hunt dispatched a crew of gangsters who had it out for her — however then she fatally conked her head whereas escaping from the yacht the place she’d been held captive.
It was arguably the saddest exit from a present that is given us a few them to this point.
However on the upside, now there’s room for an entire new slate of visitors to take pleasure in a keep at our favourite chain of fictitious luxurious resorts!
And based mostly on this week’s casting announcement, it seems like we’re in for one more spherical of Emmy-worthy performances.
White Lotus Season 3 will happen in Phuket, Thailand, and at the very least six newcomers can be checking in.
Filming is ready to start in February, and as typical, HBO is being tight-lipped concerning the plot particulars.
One of many vacationers is a lady who’s no stranger to enjoying imply wealthy girls, Parker Posey.
Your response to that information will rely largely in your age and your fondness for obscure indie comedies from the ’90s.
Should you grew up on Dazed and Confused and Occasion Woman, then you recognize that if any actress on the planet has the flexibility to fill the charisma void left by Coolidge, it is Posey.
Now, we’re not essentially saying that Posey will play a Coolidge-like position.
However it’s value noting that Parker possesses a Stifler’s Mother-like capability to steal scenes along with her hilariously entitled cluelessness.
In different phrases, each ladies are graduates of the Jessica Walter Faculty of Poking Enjoyable at Rich Jerks By Appearing Like One.
Additionally becoming a member of the forged is Michelle Monaghan, whose title won’t be acquainted to you however whose work nearly definitely is.
A veteran character actor whose resumé is dotted with occasional starring roles, Monaghan has demonstrated unbelievable vary over the course of her profession.
The superb first season of True Detective? The underrated Robert Downey Jr. comedy Due Date? The voice of Marvel Lady in a straight-to-DVD Justice League film?
Sure, Monaghan has finished all of it.
And now she’ll have the ability to add Mike White’s bonkers anthology sequence to her numerous checklist of triumphs.
Subsequent on the checklist is Leslie Bibb, who’s additionally capable of measure her profession in many years, not years.
Sure, Bibb was profitable Teen Selection Awards for WB reveals again when Invoice freakin’ Clinton was in workplace!
As of late, she’s finest recognized for her work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as Christine Everhart within the Iron Man movies).
And because the lead in Apple TV’s upcoming Palm Royale, Bibb has fairly a busy 2024 forward of her.
“However TV Fanatic,” you may be saying to your self, “what is that this a single-sex resort? Aren’t there any dudes on this season? Somebody from the Harry Potter franchise, maybe?”
And to that, we are saying — that is an oddly particular request, however you occur to be in luck!
Jason Isaacs — whom you would possibly know as Lucius Malfoy from these wizard motion pictures — may even be making his White Lotus debut.
Lately, Isaacs has obtained rave critiques for his work as Cary Grant within the BritBox sequence Archie.
Will he be enjoying yet one more debonair Brit with a tragic backstory on The White Lotus?
The reply is sort of definitely sure, however we suppose we’ll have to attend and see!
Rounding out the checklist of newcomers are Dom Hetrakul and Tayme Thapthimthong.
Each won’t be well-known to American audiences, however Hetrakul is a licensed mega-star in his native Thailand.
Since filming would not get underway till subsequent month, it’s going to doubtless be fairly a while earlier than we be taught any specifics concerning the new season’s characters or storylines.
However creator Mike White is a big-picture man, and he mentioned the themes that he intends to discover subsequent in an interview that aired after The White Lotus Season 2 Episode 7.
“The primary season highlighted cash, after which the second season is intercourse,” White defined.
“I feel the third season can be a satirical and humorous have a look at demise and Japanese faith and spirituality,” the actor/showrunner continued.
“It feels prefer it might be a wealthy tapestry to do one other spherical at White Lotus.”
A “humorous have a look at demise and Japanese faith and spirituality” won’t sound like an apparent alternative for the third season of a success present.
However at this level, White has received so many Emmys he may announce plans to adapt the cellphone e book, and HBO execs could be like, “When are you able to begin?”
Anthology sequence are likely to endure from diminishing returns, however White has confirmed remarkably adept at upping the philosophical ante from one season to the subsequent.
Simply as importantly, he understands the significance of delivering complicated characters — and trauma-inducing deaths — to have interaction viewers who aren’t essentially thinking about his views on Taoism.
It is a difficult steadiness, but when White can pull it off yet one more time, he’ll have scored one hell of a formidable hat trick.
Tyler Johnson is an Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic and the opposite Mediavine O&O websites. In his spare time, he enjoys studying, cooking, and, in fact, watching TV. You’ll be able to Follow him on X and electronic mail him right here at TV Fanatic.
