The White Lotusmay reset its cast and move locations between seasons, but there are some things fans can count on, like the suspenseful mystery and beautiful scenery. While these two things are sure to be back for Season 4, The White Lotus has announced an interesting change for its setting, which might shake things up. Each season of the HBO series features a new group of wealthy guests during their stay at a White Lotus luxury hotel, where things never seem to run smoothly — but these three tragic incidents are spread across the world.
So far, Season 1 has played out in Hawaii, Season 2 was set in Italy, and Season 3 took the audience to Thailand, so the announcement that Season 4 will move to France isn’t a shock, per se; however, the new season will be switching things up by including two different locations. Though in the same country, the show’s production is reportedly scouting locations both in the French Riviera and Paris, marking two distinct locales. Very little is confirmed, but the interest in two different places is interesting. Though we don’t yet know how The White Lotus will use this twist, multiple locations could potentially complicate the mystery, keeping Season 4 intriguing and differentiating it from what has come before.
Two Locations Will Shake Up ‘The White Lotus’ Season 4
With so many things constantly changing, each season of The White Lotus is unique, but it’s important to keep it fresh, and there is no better way than to change up the formula. As series creator Mike White explained in the post-episode segment of the Season 3 finale, “For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the crashing waves on rocks vernacular.” While the setting White described would be available in the French Riviera, Paris would certainly offer something different. However, the biggest question is how The White Lotus Season 4 will use these locations.
Season 4 will not be the first time The White Lotus has used two locations. After all, Season 3 did venture outside of the hotel and took one character to another city. While most of the story took place around the hotel, which was shot on the island of Koh Samui, one subplot took Walter Goggins‘ Rick to Bangkok as he searched for Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), the man who supposedly killed his father. This brief break from the norm allowed the series to feature different locations in Thailand, but even though it was part of a major revelation, Bangkok had much less focus. Based on the locations under consideration for Season 4, the upcoming mystery could do something similar, briefly taking one or two characters away from the primary location. While this would allow the series to showcase two places worth visiting, it wouldn’t dramatically change the formula.
However, Season 4 could use the different locations to its advantage. Including two contrasting places could be an interesting change of pace, especially if it is more consistent than Season 3’s single trip to Bangkok. Spreading out the story could complicate the mystery,potentially adding a more complex timeline as fans try to figure out who was present for the murder. The most crucial element of The White Lotus is the suspense as fans try to figure out exactly what happened, and making it that much more complicated would keep people guessing, even if the rest of the season follows a similar progression to the previous installments. If The White Lotus chooses this direction, it could make Season 4 the best mystery yet.
‘The White Lotus’ Season 4 Will Look Different From Previous Locations
While France will be a new place to explore, that is not the only setting that will change, as the hotel itself will be different. After three seasons of filming at Four Seasons properties, The White Lotus has not renewed its partnership with the luxury hotel chain. Perhaps this change will mean the French White Lotus hotel looks a little different from previous seasons, though each iteration of the chain has had its own look, meaning variations will not be too distracting.
While this news may not seem like a major change, it means Season 4 can choose from many possibilities for filming locations, especially given the benefits of hosting a season of the series.The White Lotus has been known to increase tourism to the places it features, and what hotel wouldn’t want that? France is full of beautiful places that could become the next White Lotus hotel. Though no hotels have been officially chosen for filming yet, the production has reportedly visited several iconic and historic options, including Le Lutetia in Paris and the Ritz Paris. With examples like these, whatever building Season 4 settles on is sure to have all the luxury and decadence that a White Lotus hotel requires.
What Do We Know About ‘The White Lotus’ Season 4?
The White Lotus Season 3 concluded earlier this year, soit is still a long wait until Season 4‘s release,and as of now, there is little information available. The details of the location are still up in the air, and when it comes to casting, Season 4 is a blank slate (though as the production narrows in on a location, the cast will likely be released soon). Each season so far has brought to life a new combination of characters as the wealthy guests, usually played by recognizable faces, mix with the hotel staff. This dynamic allowsThe White Lotus to include actors from each location it focuses on, as well as big names, which means the stars of Season 4 could truly be anyone.
With so few overlapping stories from season to season, The White Lotus is difficult to predict. Seasons 2 and 3 included a few familiar faces, with Jennifer Coolidge‘s Tanya appearing in the first and second installments and Season 1’s Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) coming back for Season 3. Interestingly, Greg (Jon Gries) has been the only one to appear in all three seasons, and there is still room to continue the storyline that connects them, as Greg has yet to be caught for conspiring to have Tanya killed. Perhaps Season 4 will continue to explore this, but given The White Lotus‘ reputation as an anthology, even that isn’t guaranteed. Fans may not know anything concrete about the new season yet, but they can rest assured that France will provide an interesting backdrop for the next mystery.
The White Lotus is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
- Release Date
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2021 – 2024
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Mike White
- Directors
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Mike White
- Writers
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Mike White
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Natasha Rothwell
Belinda Lindsey
