Filming for the third season of HBO's hit series The White Lotus has been delayed due to the recent writers' strike, which lasted 146 days. However, with the strike now over, the network has prioritised production on the show, alongside Euphoria and The Last of Us, according to Deadline.
Creator Mike White will return to write the new season, as permitted under the new Writers Guild of America deal. Pre-production is set to resume immediately, with filming likely to begin in 2024. The show was officially renewed for a third season in November 2022.
The first season aired in July 2021, filmed in Hawaii, while the second season, set in Sicily, Italy, premiered in October 2022. Both seasons were shot at Four Seasons resorts, which were rebranded as The White Lotus in the series. The third season is reported to take place in Thailand, continuing the partnership with Four Seasons.
White previously hinted at an Asian location, telling Deadline, 'I think it'd be fun to maybe go to a whole different continent. You know, we did Europe, and maybe Asia.' Executive producer David Bernad echoed this at the Berlinale Series Market, saying, 'We’ve tried to work in Asia a lot and hopefully Season 3 will be our chance.'
Given the strike's length, the release date is expected to be late 2024 or early 2025. HBO's head of drama Francesca Orsi noted in May that the show was 'ideally looking to go in 2024' but acknowledged uncertainty due to the strike.
