HBO has chosen France as the setting for the fourth season of its popular series The White Lotus. This news comes after the successful third season which took place in Thailand. The show will continue its partnership with the Four Seasons hotel chain. France offers several possible locations for the new season.
The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera is one strong candidate. This luxury spot is near Cannes and has a history of hosting Hollywood stars. Another option is the Megève resort in the French Alps, which could provide a snowy setting. The Hotel George V in Paris is also a possibility, which would mean a move to a city environment for the first time.
Producer David Bernad has said that show creator Mike White does not like cold weather. This might make the alpine Megève location less likely. White also mentioned wanting to move away from coastal settings. He said after the season three finale that he wants to get a little bit out of the crashing waves against rocks vernacular but there’s always room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.
Potential Storylines and Themes
Mike White has hinted at possible story directions for the new season. He mentioned on the official podcast that he might return to themes similar to the first season. He is thinking about satirizing the art world, film industry, fame, and celebrity. One idea is to set the season around a film festival or an art world situation.
This suggests the new season might look at the lives of artists, critics, or celebrities. The French Riviera location would fit well with a film festival theme, especially with the Cannes Film Festival nearby. White feels this theme could be less heady than the third season but still have some juice to it.
The show will likely continue its format of exploring the relationships between guests and staff at a luxury resort. Each season has started with a mysterious death, and the story then reveals how it happened. The fourth season will probably follow this same pattern.
Returning Cast Members
The White Lotus often brings back characters from previous seasons. Jon Gries has appeared in all three seasons as Greg Hunt, also known as Gary. Natasha Rothwell has been in two seasons as spa manager Belinda Lindsey. Jennifer Coolidge was in the first two seasons as Tanya McQuoid until her character was killed off.
It is not yet confirmed which actors will return for the fourth season. Jon Gries has said he does not know if he will be back. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he never presumes he will return and that everything Mike White does has an element of surprise. Natasha Rothwell has expressed interest in returning. She thinks it would be fun to see her character’s life get more complicated after her decisions in season three.
There is also talk of an all-star season with many past cast members returning. Mike White has said he would love to do that. Patrick Schwarzenegger suggested bringing together all the douche guys from previous seasons into one hotel.
Production Details and Release Date
Production for the fourth season has not yet started. Mike White and HBO executives were originally planning to scout locations in early spring. This was later pushed to summer because White needed a break after finishing season three. The team is expected to look at various French locations soon.
The first season was set in Hawaii and premiered in July 2021. The second season was in Sicily and came out in October 2022. The third season was delayed by the Writers Guild of America strike and premiered in February 2025. Based on this pattern, the fourth season will likely not air before late 2026 or sometime in 2027.
The show has a history of changing planned locations. The third season was originally supposed to be set in Japan before moving to Thailand due to production issues. Similarly, initial rumors for season four suggested Norway, but those plans seem to have changed.
Changes Behind the Scenes
There will be a significant change in the music for the fourth season. Composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer will not return due to creative differences with Mike White. Tapia de Veer created the iconic theme music for the first three seasons. He mentioned disagreements over the season three theme song in an interview with The New York Times.
White responded to these comments in an interview with Howard Stern. He said he never had a fight with Tapia de Veer but felt the composer did not respect him. White stated that Tapia de Veer was not a team player and wanted to do things his way. This change might bring a new sound to the show next season.
Cultural and Economic Impact
The White Lotus has a significant impact on tourism in the locations where it films. Mike White is aware of this and thinks carefully about where to set each season. He told The Hollywood Reporter that where they choose to go next could be hugely impactful to that locale. He mentioned that shooting in Thailand was cool and that choosing Paris might feel like a cop-out.
The show has helped boost local economies by attracting visitors to the filming locations. This effect will likely continue with the French setting. The series is also known for its critical look at wealth, privilege, and the ethics of vacationing in other people’s realities.
The White Lotus has received widespread critical acclaim and many awards. The third season got 23 Emmy nominations. The show has won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards so far, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. It has also won two Golden Globes.
Also Read: The White Lotus Season 4: New Location, Returning Cast, and Everything Else Confirmed So Far
Credits: Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Collider
