From illness to creativity: How Mike White's illness influenced The White Lotus

Mike White, the creator of the acclaimed series The White Lotus, faced a severe bronchitis during a recent visit to Thailand that resulted in his hospitalization. While dealing with this illness, White experienced hallucinations that, interestingly, inspired the plot of the third season of the series. I was very sick with bronchitis, they put me on a nebulizer. I didn’t sleep for two days and everything came to my mind in the hospital bed, White shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Would the third season be like this if I hadn’t been hospitalized?

Initially, White had planned to film the third season in Japan. However, his experience in Thailand, combined with the tax incentives offered by HBO, led the production to change its plans. Although White had reservations about the decision, the need to meet the financing conditions influenced his choice. As an artist, your instinctive reaction is, ‘I’m not going to do that!, he acknowledged.

The new season, set in a luxury resort in Thailand, will explore themes of identity and desire, with a notable influence from Buddhism. I have delved into Buddhism, and Thailand worked for the themes I was trying to address, White explained. The third season will feature a diverse cast that includes well-known actors such as Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, and Natasha Rothwell.

White also emphasized his desire for the series to be perceived with a tone of irreverent humor, challenging literal interpretations of his work. It’s funny when people approach the series in a very literal way. I’m glad to have found you, but you’re not really the audience, he commented.