The third season of hit series The White Lotus has come under fire after fans criticised the use of a yellow-sepia filter in its first teaser trailer. The six-second clip, released ahead of the 2025 premiere, shows returning star Natasha Rothwell and a new cast of elite hotel patrons arriving in Thailand. Voiceover declares: 'What happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand.'
Viewers quickly took to social media to condemn the colour grading, which they described as a harmful Hollywood trope often used to depict non-Western locations. 'Can we please stop putting a yellow filter on every movie/TV show that takes place outside of the contiguous 48 states???' wrote @emmylaneporter on X. Another user, @Engadine113107, threatened: 'I genuinely won’t watch if that’s the final colour grade they chose.'
While previous seasons also employed sepia tones, fans argued this year's filter was excessive. @realbcristiano noted: 'The show has always used a sepia tone in the trailers but this is way too much.' Some shared unfiltered images of the Thai filming locations to highlight the country's natural beauty.
The series, created by Mike White, follows a murder mystery at a luxury resort chain. Season one was set in Maui and season two in Sicily. The new season filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and Anantara Mai Khao Villas. White told Entertainment Weekly: 'It’s going to be a supersized White Lotus. Longer, bigger, crazier.' He added that themes may include 'a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality.'
Thailand's government has also expressed hope the show will boost tourism, having increased the rebate for international productions to 150 million Thai baht (£3.3 million) in 2024. The new season stars Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, and Aimee Lou Wood. A release date has not yet been announced.
