After three seasons of sun-drenched coasts and crashing waves, The White Lotus is packing its bags for a European upgrade. The Emmy-winning HBO series is making two major changes for its fourth season: leaving its iconic beachfront settings behind and moving on without its award-winning composer.
The next chapter of Mike White’s social satire will trade the single-resort formula for a dual-location story split between the French Riviera and Paris. This shift also brings a visual refresh, as the show will end its partnership with the Four Seasons hotel chain that defined the look of the first three seasons.
A New Setting in France
The White Lotus season 4 will unfold across two famous French locations. The production is scouting luxury properties in both Paris and the South of France, marking a departure from the single-hotel focus of previous installments.
This two-city approach follows the structural pattern of season three, which moved between Koh Samui and Bangkok. However, the contrast between the Mediterranean coast’s leisurely luxury and Paris’s fast-paced urban energy promises to bring what one report describes as “fresh vigor” to the series. The show will trade ocean views for what creator Mike White calls a break from the “crashing waves on rocks vernacular.”
While the Four Seasons hotels provided the backdrop for the first three seasons, HBO has not renewed its marketing partnership with the chain. The production is considering other prestigious French hotels for the new season, with Parisian landmarks like Le Lutetia and the Ritz Paris reportedly being scouted. Both five-star properties boast rich histories and have hosted famous guests throughout the decades, from Charlie Chaplin to Coco Chanel.
Behind the Scenes Changes
The show’s signature sound will see a significant shift as composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer confirmed he will not return for season four. The composer, who created the distinctive theme music for the first three seasons, announced his departure citing creative differences with Mike White.
The disagreement became public when Tapia de Veer told the New York Times about their conflicting visions for the season three theme music. He revealed that a longer version of the theme containing the familiar “ooh-loo-loo-loo” vocals was ultimately rejected.
“I announced to the team a few months ago that I was not coming back, that I was leaving,” Tapia de Veer stated in his interview. “At that point, we already had our last fight forever, I think.”
Mike White responded to these claims in a separate interview, expressing surprise at the public nature of the disagreement. “I honestly don’t know what happened, except now I’m reading his interviews because he decides to do some PR campaign about him leaving the show,” White said. “I don’t think he respected me. He wants people to know that he’s edgy and dark and I’m, I don’t know, like I watch reality TV.”
What to Expect from the New Season
While specific plot details remain under wraps, Mike White has confirmed one constant in the changing landscape: the show’s trademark dark humor and mysterious deaths will continue.
“For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the crashing waves on rocks vernacular,” White said after the season three finale. “But there’s always more room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.”
The new French setting provides opportunities for exploring different themes and social satires. White mentioned on the official series podcast that he’s considered focusing on worlds he knows well, suggesting potential storylines involving “art and criticism, movies, fame and celebrity… like a film festival type of thing or something like that, or like an art world sort of situation.”
The expanded location scope may also influence the casting approach. While each season typically introduces mostly new characters, there has been speculation about a potential “all-star” season bringing back favorites from previous installments. White has expressed interest in this concept, though it may not materialize for season four.
Production Timeline and Future
Fans should prepare for a considerable wait before checking back into The White Lotus. According to industry reports, production on season four is not scheduled to begin until 2026. This timeline follows the pattern of previous seasons, with the gap between season two and three stretching over two years due to various production delays.
HBO has confirmed that the series will return, with HBO and Max’s Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys indicating the next season will likely be ready for the 2027 Emmy competition cycle. The early renewal suggests the network has strong confidence in Mike White’s continued vision for the series, even as it undergoes significant changes in setting and sound.
Also Read: The White Lotus Parents Guide: What to Know Before Your Teen Watches
