Jennifer Coolidge has opened up about her feelings regarding the latest season of The White Lotus, describing it as both "crazy" and "complicated." The actress, who portrayed Tanya McQuoid in the first two seasons of the hit HBO series, left fans devastated when her character was killed off. While promoting her latest film, A Minecraft Movie, during an interview with RTÉ, Coolidge expressed her enjoyment of the new season.
"I have to say I am really enjoying this White Lotus three," she said. "I think it’s a really interesting season and with very complicated things that only Mike White could come up with, things that I’ve never seen in a film before, ever." Coolidge continued, praising the show's creator, stating, "He comes up with these storylines that are just crazy and fascinating. So I’m happy for everybody. Am I sad that I’m not in it? Of course. But you know, there’s new, fresh blood out there that’s in this one and I’m thrilled for everybody."
As the finale of season three approaches, which is set to air on Sunday, April 6, 2025, the season has received mixed reviews from fans. Some have labeled certain storylines as "disturbing." The show follows a group of vacationers at a luxury hotel in Thailand, alongside the lives of the hotel’s employees. Originally intended as a six-part limited series, The White Lotus was renewed for two additional seasons following the success of its first installment, with a fourth season currently in development.
This season features the Ratliff family, including Timothy (played by Jason Isaacs), Victoria (Parker Posey), their daughter Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), and sons Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola), who travel to Thailand. Timothy brings the family to the country so Piper can interview a monk for her thesis. As they settle into their surroundings, tensions arise among the siblings, particularly between Saxon and Lochlan, with Saxon making uncomfortable comments about his sister.
Sam Nivola, who plays Lochlan, admitted that filming certain scenes with Patrick Schwarzenegger was challenging due to their close friendship and the nature of their characters' interactions. "It was very weird kissing Patrick because he’s a really good friend of mine. And, you know, I’m straight, he’s straight. It’s already weird," Nivola said. He added that the storyline between the brothers felt "f****d up" given their friendship.
In an interview with Variety, Nivola also discussed filming a sex scene with Charlotte Le Bon, stating, "We didn’t really know her at all. But I guess she knew that creator Mike White wouldn’t cast someone inappropriate to play a creepy role." The show's exploration of complex and often uncomfortable themes has sparked a variety of reactions from viewers, with some taking a more morbid approach to the plot. One fan quipped, "He’s 100% gonna make a smoothie with the poisonous fruits and feed it to his brother."
Coolidge, reflecting on her time with The White Lotus, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Mike White, saying, "It’s doing very well and I’m so happy for my friend Mike White, who created this whole thing." Despite her absence from the current season, she remains supportive of the cast and crew.
In addition to her work on The White Lotus, Coolidge has been busy promoting her role in A Minecraft Movie, where she plays Vice Principal Marlene. She described her experience working on the film as "an unusual job," noting, "I was in such a state of shock" when invited to work in New Zealand with Jason Momoa. Coolidge praised director Jared Hess, stating, "I mean, I know Jared's really talented. We all know Jared's really talented, but what he put together... First of all, I thought it was the fastest movie I've ever seen, I mean the movie just went by in seconds, but it was mesmerizing, it was hilarious, it was a little bit frightening at times."
As the finale of The White Lotus season three draws near, fans eagerly anticipate the culmination of the season's intricate storylines. The show continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of drama, dark humor, and social commentary, further solidifying its place in contemporary television. With Coolidge's heartfelt reflections on her time with the series, it’s clear that while she may no longer be a part of the narrative, her impact on the show and its fans remains significant.
