The setting of the next season of The White Lotus—HBO’s anthology series that features a new group of miserable one-percenters spreading their misery around at a different exotic locale of the titular fictional resort—has been the subject of many theories and suggestions from cast members and fans alike ever since season 2’s Italian adventure wrapped last December. Now, according to a report from Variety, series creator/writer/director Mike White has finally locked in his destination. Pack your bags, we’re going to Asia.
White has his sights set on Thailand, specifically. Although HBO declined Variety’s request for a comment, this lines up with comments White made in a featurette for the season 2 finale. “The first season highlighted money, and then the second season is sex,” White said. “I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.”
The show typically films at an actual Four Seasons location, and as Variety notes, Thailand boasts four—in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and the Golden Triangle—with each representing a different part of the city, from the country, to the jungle and beach. There’s no indication yet as to which White will choose but the range in story potential that each represents is tantalizing.
Considering this report hasn’t even been confirmed by White or the network just yet, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that no casting decisions have been made yet. Season 2 featured the likes of Aubrey Plaza, F. Murray Abraham and Will Sharpe (while minting relative newcomers like Adam DiMarco), but also had an encore from season 1 staple Jennifer Coolidge as the delightfully batty heiress Tanya (RIP). One wonders if tradition will hold and season 3 will see a repeat face as well.
The series, originally conceived as a one-and-done limited series, has become a new bright feather in HBO’s cap, racking up 10 Emmys for season 1 alone.