The luxury resort doors of The White Lotus have welcomed some of the most talented actors in the business, but for every star who made it onto the show, there are fascinating stories of those who almost did. From salary disputes to scheduling conflicts, the path to Mike White’s hit HBO series hasn’t always been smooth. As the show prepares for its fourth season in France, new details have emerged about which famous faces nearly ended up staying at the fictional hotel chain.
Woody Harrelson Was the Original Choice for Rick Hatchett in Season 3
Perhaps the most significant “what if” casting story involves Woody Harrelson. The award-winning actor was actually the first choice to play Rick Hatchett in Season 3, the role that eventually went to Walton Goggins . According to multiple sources who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Harrelson was initially offered the part and even took his negotiations all the way to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav .
The sticking point? Money. Series regulars on The White Lotus make around $40,000 per episode, and everyone from seasoned stars to newcomers receives the same pay . Harrelson reportedly tried to renegotiate for a higher salary but couldn’t reach an agreement with the production team .
Interestingly, Harrelson’s connection to the show didn’t end there. After the Rick Hatchett role fell through, he was later offered the part of Frank, the character Sam Rockwell ultimately played in one of the most talked-about moments of Season 3 . That opportunity also didn’t work out due to scheduling conflicts.
Harrelson later explained his situation, saying, “I was set to do White Lotus and very excited. Unfortunately, their production schedule shifted, and it conflicted with a pre-planned family vacation, forcing me to make an extremely hard decision. Things must be meant to be though, because I couldn’t have done as fantastic a job as Sam, who is killing it” .
Patrick Schwarzenegger Almost Didn’t Get Cast Because of His Famous Family Name
It might seem surprising, but Patrick Schwarzenegger nearly lost his role as Saxon Ratliff before he even had a chance to audition. The son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver faced an unusual obstacle—his last name almost worked against him .
Producer David Bernad admitted that the team was hesitant about casting Schwarzenegger specifically because of his famous parents. “Patrick Schwarzenegger’s last name worked against him, by the way. We didn’t want to cast him because of that,” Bernad told The Hollywood Reporter .
Schwarzenegger has previously spoken about people assuming he was handed roles because of “who his dad is,” noting that he spent “10 years of acting classes” and works on his characters “for hours” . In this case, his performance spoke for itself. Despite the initial reluctance, Bernad said, “He was just so good,” that the casting team chose him for the role .
Blackpink’s Lisa Faced Initial Resistance From Mike White
K-pop superstar Lisa, who plays hotel staff member Mook in Season 3, wasn’t an automatic yes for creator Mike White. In fact, he initially said no to casting her .
White was cautious about bringing in someone with Lisa’s massive fame after seeing another K-pop idol in a different series. “All I heard was that ‘There was a Blackpink girl in The Idol, and I was like, ‘We’re not doing that,’” White explained . He also admitted he “did not know who Lisa or Blackpink was” at first.
Despite White’s initial refusal, Lisa’s representatives pushed for her to audition. “Her audition was amazing,” White said . Even after seeing her talent, White remained hesitant. “I still didn’t want to cast her. I’m just used to not having so much attention; we don’t need it” .
What changed his mind was understanding Lisa’s importance in Thailand, where Season 3 was filmed. “She’s like Taylor Swift meets Princess Diana there,” White noted . He added, “When we cast her, there were people in the production that cried” .
Actors Who Turned Down Roles Due to Sensitive Storylines
The incest storyline involving the Ratliff brothers in Season 3 proved to be a dealbreaker for some actors. Casting director Meredith Tucker revealed that her team had to be upfront with actors about “same-sex kissing and stuff” during the casting process .
Tucker explained, “I think maybe one kid for Sam [Nivola]’s role dropped out, but some of these kids were barely 18, so I could understand” . This honesty about the material was necessary, and producer David Bernad admitted they were nervous when sending scripts to the young actors who ultimately took the roles. “We were anxious… We both were like ‘I hope they don’t drop out,’” Bernad said .
Sam Rockwell Initially Passed on His Viral Cameo
The unforgettable monologue delivered by Sam Rockwell in Season 3 almost never happened. Rockwell, whose longtime partner Leslie Bibb plays Kate in the series, initially turned down the role of Frank .
Producer David Bernad explained, “He passed at first. Sam is a perfectionist, and the window to do the job was very tight—two or three weeks and then this giant monologue” . Rockwell was already filming another project in South Africa and worried about not having enough time to prepare.
The production team refused to take no for an answer. “We just didn’t let him pass. We were like, ‘Great, so when are you coming?’” Bernad said . Rockwell eventually agreed and delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the season.
The Role of Chloe Was Completely Recast After Filming Began
While not an actor who almost joined the show, the story of Chloe in Season 3 shows how casting can change even after production starts. Thai actress Francesca Corney was originally cast as Chloe and even filmed for several weeks before being replaced by Charlotte Le Bon .
Tucker explained that the casting team realized the original Chloe was “quite petite and just going to play too young” once they saw her in person. “The part was reconceived for Charlotte,” Tucker said . Corney’s footage was scrapped, and Le Bon took over the role of the posh troublemaker.
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What’s Coming in The White Lotus Season 4
While fans continue to discuss these almost-casting moments, the show is moving forward with its fourth season, which will take place in France . The cast for Season 4 includes Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Chris Messina, Alexander Ludwig, AJ Michalka, Caleb Jonte Edwards, and Marissa Long .
There have also been reports that Bollywood star Deepika Padukone may join the Season 4 cast, though HBO has not officially confirmed her involvement . Padukone was previously rumored for Season 3 but reportedly declined due to her pregnancy .
Filming for Season 4 is scheduled to run from April to October 2026, with locations in Paris and along the French Riviera . As always, plot details remain tightly under wraps, but fans can expect another satirical look at wealth and privilege in a stunning new setting.
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