The excitement of 'The White Lotus' Season 3 is palpable, with the latest installment of the HBO anthology series taking audiences back to the stunning backdrop of Thailand. The series, known for its satirical edge and unexpected twists, has already stirred up conversations, particularly around the behind-the-scenes stories of the cast, including Jason Isaacs and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Jason Isaacs, who joins the cast as the wealthy businessman Timothy Ratliff, shared his surprising experience of auditioning for the show. Interestingly, Isaacs confessed to lying during his audition, claiming to be a "huge fan" of the series. Speaking with People magazine, he admitted, "You’re the first person I've ever said this to. I lied to Mike and Dave and told them I was a huge fan." After his audition, the 61-year-old actor quickly binge-watched the first two seasons of the show, catching up within just a day and a half. "I basically sat and stewed in my own filth, watched it and realized why people had made such a fuss. And then I was a fan, but by then I think I had the job," Isaacs shared.
The audition experience was tinged with nostalgia as Isaacs recounted his feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Remembering his younger days, he mentioned putting himself on tape for the audition process like he used to do decades ago. "I went to audition and put myself on tape in New York because I was there to launch 'Archie'," he explained, referring to another project. "And I walked past all these giant billboards in Times Square of my face on it to go to the casting director’s office. I certainly couldn’t get too big for my boots." After the audition, the actor realized he hadn't done too poorly, eventually landing the role.
Filming for this season brought its own set of challenges, with the cast and crew grappling with the intense heat of Thailand. Isaacs shared, “We’re doing intimate scenes, and you stink. By the end of each day, we’re just caked in sweat and makeup. You can peel your clothes off with a trowel. It melts your fillings.” It was noted by Time magazine, the crew faced health issues due to record-breaking temperatures, and the set was littered with ice coolers and sachets of isotonic powder to help cool them down. Hairdryers were employed to dry off the cast’s sweat patches before filming scenes, highlighting the extreme conditions they endured.
Season 3 doesn’t shy away from provocative moments, as evidenced by the nude scene featuring Patrick Schwarzenegger's character, Saxon Ratliff. Following the family’s arrival at The White Lotus, viewers are treated to Saxon’s stark naked romp as he heads to the bathroom after discussing adult topics with his younger brother. Schwarzenegger made headlines discussing this shocking scene, declaring, "Yes, that's my real butt. No stand-in. Once I read the script, I knew what was coming, but before then, I didn't,” he revealed to Esquire.
Adding to the buzz around the nude scene, his father, the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger, showcased his support on social media, expressing excitement over the premiere and acknowledging the shocking nature of his son’s scene. He humorously commented, "I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say - the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree." Despite the nudity often being part of the storyline, it has become somewhat of a hallmark of the series, drawing audiences' interest and setting expectations for what’s next as the season progresses.
The show has previously featured similar bold moments, such as the relaxed nudity of characters portrayed by Steve Zahn and Theo James, hinting at more exciting content to come. Each episode drops weekly on NOW and Sky Atlantic, keeping fans engaged and speculating on how the storylines will develop.
With nine more episodes yet to be released, Isaacs and the cast’s experiences provide not just entertainment on screen, but also engaging stories behind the scenes. While temperatures soared during filming, creating uncomfortable conditions, the camaraderie and resilience among the cast came through, promising to keep audiences glued to their screens. Fans eagerly await the next twists and turns from the alluring yet chaotic world of 'The White Lotus'.