'The White Lotus' cast share secrets of the season finale
'The White Lotus' cast goes through the heartbreak of the final episode and the script concerns they had before shooting. They also clear up some questions.
(Credits: HBO)
Film » Film News
Mon 7 April 2025 10:47, UK
SPOILERS AHEAD: Season three of The White Lotus has ended, and creator Mike White managed to deliver a final episode to rival that infamous season two finale in Italy. Last night, the cast of season three broke down the explosive episode and their feelings about watching it again.Â
Throughout the season, itâs been a question of who would die in the final episode, not whether someone would die. In the end, it was Rick and Chelsea who went home in bodybags after he angrily confronts Hollinger, the man he thinks killed his father. In the ensuing shootout, Chelsea is killed, and Rick is killed by Gaitok as he carries her body across a bridge.
For Aimee Lou Wood, who plays Chelsea, watching that scene again is still traumatising. âIt [looked] exactly how it felt, which is really strange,â she said during the âThe White Lotus at Four Seasons Presented by American Expressâ event on April 6th (via Variety). âThere was a lot in that episode that made me fucking sob. From the beginning, Saxonâs sad face⊠I feel achy!â
The face sheâs referring to is a moment early in the episode when Saxon sees Rick and Chelsea embrace. His expression suggests that he longs to have a similar kind of loving relationship with someone.Â
Tayme Thapthimthong, who plays Gaitok, revealed that when he first read the script, he didnât want his character to shoot Rick in the back. However, when he talked to White about the scene, the creator reassured him that it would all make sense in context. âHe was like, âTrust me, it will be justified.â And I felt like it really was,â Thapthimthong shared.
Leslie Bibb, who plays Kate, one of the three childhood friends who struggle to maintain their relationship throughout the trip, there was a concern that the women would be given short shrift by the script compared to the wild antics that some of the other characters get up to. âItâs ironic because we were comparing like the ladies do, like âOh my God, itâs not enough,ââ she said.
Soon, however, members of the crew began coming up to her on set and telling her that they identified with her storyline more than anyone elseâs. The universality of troubled friendships is inescapable. âI donât think we thought it was going to take off the way it is,â Bibb continued. âI think thatâs a testament to Mike.â
Many fans were hoping that Greg, who killed his wife, fan-favourite Tanya McQuoid, in the finale of season two, would get his comeuppance in this episode. He remains alive at the end, but there is some cosmic healing when he gives Belinda $5 million in exchange for her silence. John Gries, who plays Greg, said that he struggled in the interim between season two and three to justify his characterâs actions.
âI walked up to Mike one day, and I was like, âIâve been spending so much time convincing myself that I didnât intend to kill her,â he said, ââIâve got to talk to you about it.â He goes, âYou know who you are. Youâve played this guy.ââ Gries said to White, âI have one question, though. Psychopath?â White responded, âPsychopath.â
Gries also revealed that he didnât tell anyone that he was returning for season three. âI told them I was doing the remake of The Sand Pebbles, an old movie with Steve McQueen, and I was shooting in the Philippines.â
The White Lotus has already been renewed for a fourth season, though further details remain under wraps.
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