HBO has announced that The White Lotus season 2 is officially happening — here’s everything we know about the cast, release date, and story so far. The series, taking place over the course of a week, followed a group of wealthy guests and the staff of The White Lotus tropical resort in Hawaii. The cast of The White Lotus season 1 featured stars like Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Steve Zahn, Alexandra Daddario, Murray Bartlett, and Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney.
The life-altering events that take place for each of the groups of guests in The White Lotus season 1 also received positive reviews from critics, garnering an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The White Lotus comments on many hard-hitting aspects of society in a comedically uncomfortable fashion, including privilege, the treatment of service industry workers, and colonization. After the zany twists and turns of the first season, The White Lotus season 1 ends with a dead body leaving the island alongside the guests as hotel employees wave hello to a new batch of visitors.
With all of the rave reviews that The White Lotus has cemented as one of the summer’s greatest new television series, audiences are excited for what’s to come with season 2. Here’s everything we know about The White Lotus season 2.
White Lotus Season 2 Is Confirmed
Not simply speculation anymore, HBO Max has already officially renewed The White Lotus for season 2, although HBO is calling it a “second installment” of the limited series. On August 10, ahead of the season 1 finale, HBO announced director and creator Mike White would be helming another season of the show for the streaming service.
White Lotus Season 2 Release Date
The White Lotus season 2 hasn't been pushed into pre-production yet, so there’s no set date for the second season so far. Considering season 1 took three months to film between October and December 2020 and was released in July 2021, The White Lotus season 2 likely won’t come out for at least another year or two. Audiences could be able to reflect on their own tumultuous summer vacations if The White Lotus shares a similar summer 2022 or 2023 release schedule.
White Lotus Season 2 Cast
With an all-star cast of characters not returning for White Lotus season 2, it'll be interesting to see how the two installments compare. According to Mike White, the next season will focus on an entirely new cast of characters at another White Lotus hotel. In October 2021, Variety announced that its sources confirmed Jennifer Coolidge's return, though it remains unclear if she will be playing the fan-favorite from season 1, Tanya McQuoid. Since the second season will feature at another new, presumably exotic location, she may very well be playing someone unfamiliar to viewers. Deadline also reported in January 2022 that The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli is joining the cast as Dominic Di Grasso, a guest traveling with his father and son. Finally, HBO confirmed that Parks and Recreation's Aubrey Plaza will star as well. Hopefully, fans will hear more casting announcements as the year progresses and filming commences on the second season.
White Lotus Season 2 Story
As theories on The White Lotus season 2 begin to fly, one major question audiences have is at which White Lotus location the new story will take place. Hawaii was an excellent choice for the first season as it dealt with American colonialism and abuse of native Hawaiians and their culture by rich, white mainlanders. The former Freaks and Geeks writer Mike White has yet to reveal the actual premise of The White Lotus season 2 but has explained it will be similar to season 1 by following a new group of guests at one of the hotel’s alternate worldwide locations. If we had to take a guess, The White Lotus season 2 will likely take place on another popular American or Western vacation destination like Jamaica, Greece, or The Bahamas, but White himself has already hinted to TVLine it may be “White Lotus: San Tropez.”While plot details have not been shared, the abuse of another culture and hotel employees may continue in season 2.