Should you’re something like us, you’ll be able to nonetheless hear the sound — that sickening ping that marked the tip of Jennifer Coolidge’s tenure as the perfect a part of The White Lotus.
Sorry for opening with a spoiler, however hey — it has been over a 12 months!
In case you managed to efficiently block the incident out of your reminiscence, Coolidge’s lovably ditzy Tanya McQuoid-Hunt dispatched a crew of gangsters who had it out for her — however then she fatally conked her head whereas escaping from the yacht the place she’d been held captive.
It was arguably the saddest exit from a present that is given us a few them thus far.
However on the upside, now there’s room for an entire new slate of visitors to take pleasure in a keep at our favourite chain of fictitious luxurious resorts!
And primarily based on this week’s casting announcement, it appears like we’re in for an additional spherical of Emmy-worthy performances.
White Lotus Season 3 will happen in Phuket, Thailand, and a minimum of six newcomers will probably be checking in.
Filming is about to start in February, and as typical, HBO is being tight-lipped concerning the plot particulars.
One of many vacationers is a lady who’s no stranger to taking part in imply wealthy women, Parker Posey.
Your response to that information will rely largely in your age and your fondness for obscure indie comedies from the ’90s.
Should you grew up on Dazed and Confused and Social gathering Lady, then you realize that if any actress on the planet has the power to fill the charisma void left by Coolidge, it is Posey.
Now, we’re not essentially saying that Posey will play a Coolidge-like function.
Nevertheless it’s price noting that Parker possesses a Stifler’s Mother-like means to steal scenes along with her hilariously entitled cluelessness.
In different phrases, each ladies are graduates of the Jessica Walter Faculty of Poking Enjoyable at Rich Jerks By Performing Like One.
Additionally becoming a member of the solid is Michelle Monaghan, whose identify may not be acquainted to you however whose work virtually actually is.
A veteran character actor whose resumé is dotted with occasional starring roles, Monaghan has demonstrated unimaginable vary over the course of her profession.
The wonderful first season of True Detective? The underrated Robert Downey Jr. comedy Due Date? The voice of Marvel Lady in a straight-to-DVD Justice League film?
Sure, Monaghan has carried out all of it.
And now she’ll be capable of add Mike White’s bonkers anthology collection to her various record of triumphs.
Subsequent on the record is Leslie Bibb, who’s additionally in a position to measure her profession in a long time, not years.
Sure, Bibb was successful Teen Selection Awards for WB exhibits again when Invoice freakin’ Clinton was in workplace!
Today, she’s greatest identified for her work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as Christine Everhart within the Iron Man movies).
And because the lead in Apple TV’s upcoming Palm Royale, Bibb has fairly a busy 2024 forward of her.
“However TV Fanatic,” you is perhaps saying to your self, “what is that this a single-sex lodge? Aren’t there any dudes on this season? Somebody from the Harry Potter franchise, maybe?”
And to that, we are saying — that is an oddly particular request, however you occur to be in luck!
Jason Isaacs — whom you would possibly know as Lucius Malfoy from these wizard motion pictures — may even be making his White Lotus debut.
Just lately, Isaacs has acquired rave critiques for his work as Cary Grant within the BritBox collection Archie.
Will he be taking part in one more debonair Brit with a tragic backstory on The White Lotus?
The reply is nearly actually sure, however we suppose we’ll have to attend and see!
Rounding out the record of newcomers are Dom Hetrakul and Tayme Thapthimthong.
Each may not be well-known to American audiences, however Hetrakul is an authorized mega-star in his native Thailand.
Since filming would not get underway till subsequent month, it’s going to seemingly be fairly a while earlier than we study any specifics concerning the new season’s characters or storylines.
However creator Mike White is a big-picture man, and he mentioned the themes that he intends to discover subsequent in an interview that aired after The White Lotus Season 2 Episode 7.
“The primary season highlighted cash, after which the second season is intercourse,” White defined.
“I feel the third season will probably be a satirical and humorous have a look at dying and Japanese faith and spirituality,” the actor/showrunner continued.
“It feels prefer it might be a wealthy tapestry to do one other spherical at White Lotus.”
A “humorous have a look at dying and Japanese faith and spirituality” may not sound like an apparent alternative for the third season of successful present.
However at this level, White has received so many Emmys he might announce plans to adapt the telephone e book, and HBO execs can be like, “When are you able to begin?”
Anthology collection are likely to endure from diminishing returns, however White has confirmed remarkably adept at upping the philosophical ante from one season to the following.
Simply as importantly, he understands the significance of delivering complicated characters — and trauma-inducing deaths — to interact viewers who aren’t essentially focused on his views on Taoism.
It is a tough steadiness, but when White can pull it off another time, he’ll have scored one hell of a powerful hat trick.
Tyler Johnson is an Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic and the opposite Mediavine O&O websites. In his spare time, he enjoys studying, cooking, and, in fact, watching TV. You’ll be able to Follow him on X and e-mail him right here at TV Fanatic.