Moving to an opulent hotel in Thailand for six months seems like a scenario only imaginable in a fantasy or an instance of remarkable luck.
In its third season, The White Lotus provided that opulence to its cast and crew, which this time features Aimee Lou Wood from Sex Education, Walton Goggins from The Fallout, and Patrick Schwarzenegger from Gen V, among others.
Michelle Monaghan, known for her role in Mission: Impossible, portrays Jaclyn on the series—a woman embarking on a “girls’ trip” caught up in the competitive power dynamics of her group.
In a conversation with Sky News, Monaghan described her experience on the show—filmed in Thailand—as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.
Michelle Monaghan portrays Jaclyn, who is on an adventure with the girls abroad. Pic: HBO
“[My family] visited and we embarked on various adventures together; it was an exceptionally special period. I’ve been in this industry for 25 years, and this moment truly stands out,” she expressed.
“They are their own little explorers, and their affinity for water was evident, which led us to obtain diving licenses together while in Thailand. We spent considerable time scuba diving and formed deeper bonds in unique ways.”
Aimee Lou Wood describes her filming experience as ‘remarkable’ yet ‘overwhelming’ simultaneously. Pic: HBO
Bafta awardee Aimee Lou Wood had a somewhat different experience.
She faced the challenge of adapting to a foreign country during what she described as a significant transitional phase in her life, including relocating and reaching her thirties.
“The experience was incredible, but I felt quite overwhelmed. It was truly an overwhelming time, and I continued to feel that way for quite some time.
“While I relished the adventure, I longed for home. Yet when I was back home, I found myself missing the thrill of the adventure and the friendships I established during filming of The White Lotus, as they became like family to me.”
Aimee reveals her internal conflict, balancing her ‘incredible adventure’ in Thailand with feelings of homesickness. Pic: HBO
The actress mentioned that she immediately sought out her friends upon returning to the UK after the filming concluded.
“I found myself in tears at the sight of the charming London mess, exclaiming ‘This is the most beautiful place, London.’ Although it may have seemed absurd, it was simply home to me.”
Television series stimulates tourism
Much like Emily In Paris, The White Lotus has emerged as a vibrant promotion for the Four Seasons hotels where it is filmed, spotlighting the surrounding regions.
If season three follows the trend set by its earlier installments filmed in Hawaii and Sicily, Thailand may see a 20% increase in visitors attributed to television tourism.
HBO collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand throughout the production, capturing footage in and around the Four Seasons Koh Samui, as well as in Phuket and Bangkok.
Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of Arnold, is also featured. Pic: HBO
Who’s featured in The White Lotus?
The newest season of the acclaimed series welcomes back Natasha Rothwell, an alumna from the first season, alongside an entirely fresh ensemble: Jason Isaacs, Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola, and Parker Posey.
Rothwell revisits her character Belinda Lindsey from the inaugural season, the spa director aspiring to establish her own enterprise.
The American actress was contacted by the show’s creator Mike White regarding the opportunity to reprise her role for another season and expressed her astonishment when he formally invited her back.
Natasha Rothwell’s character from the first season is making a comeback. Pic: HBO
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“He [Mike White] hadn’t yet finalized anything, so… I didn’t have any assurance of a role. However, when he reached out again after the scripts were prepared, that’s when it hit me—this was indeed happening.
“My existence. It’s absurd. If I could travel back in time and share with that anxious young girl in Miss Mandy O’Neill’s [theatre] class that ‘You’re going to explore the globe, performing your craft’.”
The third season of The White Lotus is set to premiere on Sky and streaming platform NOW on 17 February.
