The White Lotus has returned for its third series, this time with a group of unsuspecting holidaymakers checking into the doomed hotel chain’s Thai getaway.
Though the exotic destination and cast (mostly) change from series to series, one common theme links the iterations of the critically lauded black comedy together: murder. Each series begins with a whodunnit-style death, with the events leading up to it – and eventually, the identity of the victim – being revealed as the series plays out. For its third time around, gunfire can be heard around the resort, leading to the death of at least one person – whether they’re a guest or an employee of the resort, we don’t yet know.
Mike White, the creator of the show, likes to give us viewers a few subtle hints here and there to keep us on the edge of our seats. The third series stars an ensemble cast including Walter Goggins, Parker Posey, Blackpink’s LISA and Sex Education’s Aimee Lou Wood, but its episodes also include a number of Easter eggs to keep viewers guessing.
Keep reading to learn more about the hidden messages and meanings that could spell out the future events of the new series – we’ll keep updating with new updates as the series progresses.
Opening credits
As any seasoned White Lotus fan knows, the artwork used in the opening credits of the show (the theme tune of which has recently changed for the new series, leaving viewers reeling) provides a number of clues about what we can expect from the storylines of its characters. For instance, season two’s credits depicted a woman spying on a couple (Harper’s suspicions of Daphne and Cameron’s relationship) and a woman dangling a necklace before a begging man (Dominic trying to win back his wife with an expensive piece of jewellery).
Although we’re early into the season, viewers have already started suspecting what the third series’ opening credits could be foreshadowing. In typical style, there are allusions to sex (naked women being spied upon, mass orgies), mob violence (a pack of hyenas circling an elephant, dogs surrounding a leopard) and drugs (there are plenty of nods to marijuana, with monkeys and humans alike lighting up). While it’s still unknown who will experience what, if we go off what we know about previous seasons of the show, its opening credits will make more and more sense as the events of the series unfold.
The return of Belinda and John
Familiar faces aren’t exactly a new phenomenon in the White Lotus universe – Jennifer Coolidge’s beloved Tanya, who accidentally kills herself in the last series, was also a central part of the first series. Two characters both closely linked to Tanya return for series three: spa manager Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and her widower, Greg (Jon Gries).
Belinda, viewers will remember, was wooed by Coolidge’s character, who offered to help Belinda financially to establish her own business, only to let her down at the last minute. She’s visiting the Thai resort from Hawaii for three months to learn more about its spa programme and is accompanied by her son, Zion. In the first episode, gunshots interrupt Zion’s meditation session – he says a prayer that his mother remains safe and hides in a pond.
The reason behind Greg’s return – a surprise to many – is less clear. Seemingly enjoying the payout from his wife’s death, the ever-suspicious Greg colluded with Quentin and Jack to kill his wife to receive a nice chunk of inheritance. It appears, for now, he’s gotten away with it – but we’ll have to keep watching to find out if he manages to keep in the clear. Now accompanied by his much younger girlfriend, Chloe, the couple live a stone’s throw from the resort, regularly visiting the White Lotus restaurant and interacting with its guests.
Survivor cameos
While it may not be a hint as to what we can expect later down the line, Mike White’s commitment to combining the worlds of the White Lotus and Survivor still deserves a shout-out. Let’s break it down for you: as well as writing and producing acclaimed TV shows and movies, White is known for his appearances on reality TV shows, namely, Survivor: David vs Goliath.
Up to two of his Survivor castmates have made cameo appearances in each series of the White Lotus so far. In season one, Alex Merlino played a bartender, in season two, Angelina Keeley and Kara Kay appeared as holidaymakers lounging by the beach, and in the third series we see Belinda acknowledge Natalie Cole and Carl Boudreaux – the only other Black guests staying at the resort – at dinner.
The White Lotus Season 3 is streaming now on NOW
