After much speculation and fan casting, the first batch of new cast members for the third season of "White Lotus" has been officially announced. Deadline named six actors joining the HBO series on January 5, and once the news broke, the newcomers were free to share their excitement publicly. Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan both raved about joining "White Lotus" and revealed that some of the cast have formed strong bonds with each other.
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The six-man roster includes Bieber and Monaghan, as well as Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, Dom Hetrakul and Tamu Tapitimtun. They will appear alongside season one's Natasha Rothwell (Belinda), whose return Variety previously reported. Like seasons one and two, the story will revolve around a group of guests at the White Lotus Hotel. As of now, there's no concrete information about these characters, but according to a November 13 Deadline article, there will be at least nine series regulars.
All the newcomers can exude is their enthusiasm, and Bieber and Monaghan do it with gusto. Bieber posted the casting update on her Instagram, beginning by greeting fans in Thai ("sawasdee kha...") in preparation for the show's latest stunning location. After writing "I love you" to creator Mike White, White Lotus and HBO, she added, "I'm over the moon...I can't take the smile off my face..."
Monaghan's elation was equally high. "Check out White Lotus Season 3!!!!!" she wrote in part. "Words can't express how grateful and excited I am to be a part of this epic show! ...Working with Mike White @hbo is a dream come true."
trip of a lifetime
Filming will begin in February in and around Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok, Thailand. Monaghan was looking forward to the shoot, saying, "Thank you @thewhitelotus, I know this will be an experience of a lifetime!" And because that wasn't enough, she added, "Did I mention I'm going to do it with @itsparkerposey and @mslesliebibb Let’s go to Thailand!! Woohoo.”
For some actors, the love is clearly already there. In an Instagram Story, Bieber posted a casting update and added: "I love you @michellemonaghan @itsparkerposey."
Many other actors joined Bieber and Monaghan in celebrating their White Lotus roles. "OMG YES!!! Can't wait," Naomi Watts wrote to Bieber, and Kim Cattrall called it "awesome." Meanwhile, Ariana DeBose celebrated Monaghan by saying: "Come on Queen!!!! Wow," Ashley Benson wrote, "I can't wait to watch Your cute look. Fuck yes."
They are about to embark on what White Lotus described as a "super-sized" season in an interview with Entertainment Weekly in late 2023 . "It's going to be longer, bigger and crazier," he said. "I don't know what people are going to think, but I'm super excited, so at least for my own barometer, it's a good thing."
