Thailand set to be the location of White Lotus season III
The location for the next series of the award-winning HBO drama White Lotus is Thailand, according to Variety magazine.
Series creator, writer, and director Mike White was seen in Thailand at a Four Seasons location late last year setting media tongues wagging that the Land of Smiles would be the destination for series three of the gripping drama.
Series one was shot at a Four Seasons resort in Hawaii while series two was set in Italy and, while the destination of series three has not been exclusively announced, Thailand boasts four Four Seasons luxury hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and the Golden Triangle.
Variety magazine, a US entertainment publication covering movies, television, theatre and music is confident the setting of the next White Lotus series will be in Thailand after White suggested series three would be more spiritual than the previous two. He said…
“The first season highlighted money, and then the second season is sex. I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.”
For those not familiar with White Lotus, the drama follows a group of dysfunctional rich folk going through some sort of existential crisis.
Season one featured an all-star cast that included Alexandra Daddario Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton and the superb Jennifer Coolidge, who also featured in series two. Coolidge is probably best known for her role as Stifler’s mom in the American Pie franchise.
Season two included British actor Tom Hollander, F Murray Abraham, Michael Imperioli, Theo James, Will James, and Aubrey Plaza.
There’s been no casting announcement but it has been rumoured Danny DeVito and Hayden Panettiere will feature.
The White Lotus was awarded 10 Emmy awards for its first season, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and Coolidge won the Supporting Actress award for her role as Tanya McQuoid.
Coolidge reprised her role in the second season, which is set in Sicily. Earlier this year, Coolidge won a Golden Globe for her performance in the second season, and the show won the award for Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Motion Picture. Additionally, the show won two SAG awards for Best TV Drama Ensemble and Coolidge’s performance.
There have been many movies filmed in Thailand, both by Thai filmmakers and international filmmakers. Some notable examples include:
- “The Beach” (2000) – This thriller-drama film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed on location at various Thai islands, including Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, and Ko Phi Phi Don.
- “Only God Forgives” (2013) – This violent crime-thriller, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling, was filmed in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
- “The Hangover Part II” (2011) – This comedy sequel was partially filmed in Bangkok, including scenes shot on the Chao Phraya River, Wat Phra Kaew temple, Soi Cowboy, and Khao San Road.
- “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987) – This comedy-drama, starring Robin Williams, was filmed in and around Bangkok, which stood in for Saigon during the Vietnam War.
- “Tomb Raider” (2018) – This action-adventure film, based on the popular video game series, was partially filmed in Thailand, including scenes shot at the Wat Pra Si Sanphet temple in Ayutthaya.
