Not all good ideas are destined to come to fruition, and The White Lotus’ fourth season is possibly proof of that, as the ongoing production is now more than two weeks removed from the surprising and sudden departure of co-star Helena Bonham Carter. Creator Mike White wrote the part specifically for the Crown vet, but it’s been reported that creative differences were to blame, and the actress allegedly wasn’t “boisterous” enough with her performance. Now, Season 4 co-star Steve Coogan has addressed the situation.

The BAFTA-winning Coogan (whose latest small-screen project Legends hit the 2026 TV schedule on May 7 via Netflix subscription) is one of many top-tier cast members locked in for the France-set storyline that will be partially set at the Cannes Film Festival. It sounds like he’s having quite a good time bringing his character to life, even if he couldn’t exactly spread all the details out willy nilly. Speaking with Deadline on the BAFTA TV red carpet (via X clip), he also shared what he could about Carter’s exit, saying:

It's perhaps worth noting that Steve Coogan's vocalized answer wasn't nearly as straightforward as it sounds written out, with much stammering and hemming surrounding the words. (Not as much hawing, though.) It could have been that he wasn't ready to be asked about it — unlikely, given the fan response to Carter leaving the series — but also could be an issue where he's just trying not to accidentally put more blame on one side than the other.

The character written for Helena Bonham Carter has been described as a former Hollywood heavyweight attempting to reenter the spotlight with a late-career surge. It doesn't seem like the most pleasant character to be around, and sounded to me like a mash-up between Michelle Monaghan and Parker Posey's Season 3 characters. But we may never know if that comparison tracks at all.

The way Coogan puts it implies that creator Mike White and Carter came to an agreement regarding the future of the project, and that it would be best if she bowed out, as opposed to reworking any of the character elements that were possibly to blame. That sounds strange to me, considering White literally did craft an entirely new character for Laura Dern, who stepped in and joined the show after Carter left. Perhaps that new persona wouldn't have fit the Fight Club co-star's talents as much.

For all that he was stumbling on his words regarding cast changes, Steve Coogan appeared very pleased to be bringing his multi-genre talents to this lavish vacation-centric production. (Perhaps fitting for filmmaker celebrated for a series called The Trip.) Here's what he had to say about his White Lotus experiences thus far with Mike White:

Steve Coogan is arguably most known around the world for his brilliant performances as TV personality Alan Partridge, and one can only hope that some of the actor's improvising in The White Lotus taps into some of that same headspace. I mean, it would be even better if he was actually playing Alan Partridge on vacation, but that's perhaps a crossover only destined for fan-fic.

The White Lotus will likely continue filming for the next few months, with Season 4 likely hitting HBO in early 2027. Until then, the past three seasons can be streamed in full via HBO Max subscription.

On the eve the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, production for the fourth season of The White Lotus is currently underway in France. Creator Mike White & Co. will be popping up at the annual festivities ahead of the HBO series eventually taking over the location after the fest’s conclusion, with the latest mystery-driven season partially set at the cinema-centric event. Before that, however, the previously cast Helena Bonham Carter exited the project, with “creative differences” being the catch-all explanation.

Now, the actual reason for the Fight Club vet’s exit has allegedly come to light, and it’s not the reasoning I would have guessed in my first hundred or so attempts. According to Variety’s behind-the-scenes report on the early days of Season 4, Carter’s character (which was written specifically for her) was a washed-up actress attempting to stage a grand comeback, and the difference in creative vision is said to have stemmed from creator Mike White’s desire for a “boisterous” performance from the Oscar-nominated actress.

Bafflingly, no further details were shared, with that left as the only crumb of a reason we have to go on for why Carter chose to bow out of a role that no doubt would have led to more Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, given how well The White Lotus does in those respects. And I know I’m not the only person who can very easily envision her playing any manner of boisterous characters. Tapping into lively performances is old hat for the British thesp, who truly came into her own in the 2000s, at least in that respect.

As such, it’s quite shocking to hear this being offered up as the reason why she parted ways with the HBO hit. It’s possible some of the character details beyond the boisterous description were to blame. If the character took strides to further her career that rang insincere to Carter, that itself could have been enough to provoke the split, assuming Mike White didn’t want to change anything that was already set in stone.

Helena Bonham Carter is obviously the only one who could offer up the most definitive reasoning for bowing out, so I hope she addresses it at some point, and that it doesn't end up being worse than it was initially reported.

Thankfully for White Lotus fans, Mike White was able to successfully pivot to cast past collaborator Laura Dern to take on a new character written to fill the void left by Carter. So it seems like everything should be moving forward at a steady clip for the next few months ahead of Season 4 hitting streaming via HBO Max subscription.

Meanwhile, Carter will soon be seen in the third Enola Holmes movie when that hits Netflix, as well as reuniting with her Howard's End co-star Anthony Hopkins for the impending romantic drama The Housekeeper.

One of TV’s most gorgeous murder-mystery dramedies will soon return — okay, it’s almost definitely on top of that list — as The White Lotus is currently in the midst of filming its highly anticipated fourth season. (Even if it won’t be ready in time for a 2026 premiere date.) The HBO series suffered a creative blip in recent days when the absolutely stacked cast lost Oscar winner Helena Bonham Carter over curiously described creative differences. But her replacement has already been found, and it’s a banger.

In a pinch, creator Mike White was able to work some recasting magic by bringing in one of his go-to collaborators, the always excellent Laura Dern, who is officially set to fill the void left by Carter's absence, as reported by Deadline. All hail the queen!

Dern won't be playing the exact same character that was written for The Crown vet, which is possibly a good thing, since it was the role itself that caused disagreements once filming began, sparking the actress to bow out. (It was stated the character "didn't align" with everyone else.) Mike White says he'd still love to bring Carter back for a later season in a different capacity.

Instead, the Jurassic franchise fave will be taking on a completely new character that White is creating just for her. Carter's role was pivotal to the Season 4 storyline, so it's assumed that the creator is finding ways to make the plot elements match up with the new addition.

This certainly won't be the first time Laura Dern and Mike White work together. In fact, it won't even be her first role in this HBO series, though it will specifically be her first on-screen performance. Fans may remember that she voiced Abby, the estranged wife of Michael Imperioli's Dominic in Season 2, during phone calls.

Their collaborations first started back in 2007, when Dern co-starred in White's feature Year of the Dog. Some years later, they reconnected to co-create the dramedy Enlightened, which Dern led, and which also aired on HBO. Fans were inclined to jump on the speculation bandwagon that Dern was involved in Season 4 when she and White were seen togher in L.A. when the filmmaker was locking down locations. (Season 4 is filming in France, for all that the locals may not be enthused.)

Check out this non-exhaustive list of all the big stars filling out The White Lotus Season 4, with Dern's name now in the mix.

• Chloe Bennet
• Sandra Bernhard
• Vincent Cassel
• Steve Coogan
• Laura Dern
• Heather Graham
• Ari Graynor
• Max Greenfield
• Frida Gustavsson
• Marissa Long
• Alexander Ludwig
• Chris Messina
• Kumail Nanjiani
• Rosie Perez

Given that filming just kicked off for the season, which will be set during the Cannes Film Festival, we'll hopefully get more updates in the months to come, but likely won't see the new season's episodes hitting HBO or streaming (via HBO Max subscription) until Spring 2027.

Dern most recently co-starred opposite Kristen Wiig in the Apple TV dramedy Palm Royale, which was canceled in March after two seasons. She's currently filming Molly Gordon high school reunion comedy Peaked.

It’s been one year since Aimee Lou Wood expressed her displeasure with a Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked her appearance. The White Lotus actress called a sketch “mean and unfunny” after Sarah Sherman parodied Wood’s character from the HBO drama, Chelsea, by wearing large fake teeth, but now it’s Wood who’s getting the last laugh. The actress will be able to take back her narrative when she appears as the host of an upcoming episode of SNL UK.

The British version of Saturday Night Live premiered in March (see how to watch it here) and has been putting its spin on Lorne Michaels’ iconic sketch comedy with the help of celebs like Tina Fey and Graham Norton. English actress Aimee Lou Wood will get her chance to go live from London on Saturday, May 2, according to Deadline. MEEKS will serve as the musical guest.

It will be interesting to see if Aimee Lou Wood uses the opportunity to address — or more likely lampoon — the drama from last year’s “The White Potus” sketch.

On the April 12, 2025, episode (available to stream with a Peacock subscription), host Jon Hamm portrayed Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaking to a woman about how removing fluoride from drinking water could affect one’s teeth. The woman — played by Sarah Sherman wearing pronounced false teeth — then asked what fluoride was. You can see the sketch below:

Just days before the sketch aired, Aimee Lou Wood had opened up about her disappointment that discussions about her teeth seemed to overshadow her work as an actor, and afterward, her White Lotus co-stars reportedly rallied around her in support. Even the Saturday Night Live cast members reached out, with Sarah Sherman sending Wood flowers and saying she felt “terrible” for making Wood feel bad.

The incident prompted Chloe Fineman to discuss when parody goes too far, and Bowen Yang also said Aimee Lou Wood’s feelings were valid.

Still, even after all of the mess behind the scenes, Aimee Lou Wood indicated she’d be interested in hosting SNL one day, saying she thought it would be fun. Now she’s going to get the chance to find out, and I actually kind of love that she’s doing it on the UK version, rather than the one that made fun of her teeth a year ago.

Many have been tuning into Saturday Night Live UK since its premiere on the 2026 TV schedule, with some learning the hard way that it is decidedly filthy-mouthed and not safe for kids. Nicola Coughlan will also return to host the April 25 episode after her unexpected reunion with Bridgerton co-star Regé-Jean Page in the March premiere. The Foo Fighters will be the musical guest on that night.

Stay tuned for more updates from SNL across the pond, particularly how Aimee Lou Wood handles her past drama when she makes her hosting debut in May.

Following Mike White’s stint on Survivor 50 in the 2026 TV schedule, the White Lotus creator is reportedly heading to France very soon to shoot with the exciting cast he’s assembled for Season 4. He’ll be joined by the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Kumail Nanjiani, Chloe Bennet, Max Greenfield, and more primarily in a fishing village and popular seaside resort of Saint-Tropez in the south of France. But are the locals ready for all the attention it’ll bring?

How The White Lotus Has Historically Affected Tourism Of Its Destinations

Across the three seasons of The White Lotus that have come out thus far, as audience members we’ve traveled to Maui in Hawaii, Sicily in Italy, and Koh Samui, Thailand. In a new piece from Condé Nast Traveler about The White Lotus’s upcoming setting of Saint-Tropez in France, First in Service private travel designer Pierre-Alexandre Francin said this about how one of HBO’s hottest shows has changed its destinations:

Francin also noted that Season 3 “boosted Thailand far beyond the property” because “people wanted to experience the destination for themselves.” With that in mind, the village of Saint-Tropez could be looking at a tourism boost once the new season airs (likely next year).

How Saint-Tropez Locals Are Feeling About Their Village Being Next

So, what do Saint-Tropez locals think about this? The village in Southern France reportedly only has 4,000 permanent residents. Here’s what an owner of a boutique there had to say:

Apparently, as is, summer is the big season for Saint-Tropez, and more tourism just wouldn’t be comfortable. A sandal shop owner echoed the other local’s sentiments with these words:

While a couple of people sound a little unsure about the series’ effect on Saint-Tropez, the next two comments received from the travel magazine are more optimistic. Here’s what one antique shop owner shared:

And then there’s one hotel chairman who actually sounds proud about the inclusion of his hometown for the upcoming season. As he said:

Overall, there's a mix of thoughts on the whole thing. The show is expected to be primarily at the Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez from April to October of this year. In addition to the previously mentioned cast, Sandra Bernhard, Vincent Cassel, Charlie Hall, Alexander Ludwig, Chris Messina, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and AJ Michalka will be checking in.

It was also just announced this week that Heather Graham and Rosie Perez would be joining as well. We certainly can’t wait to travel via TV to Saint-Tropez once Season 4 comes out!

For years, many in Hollywood have said that there is an unwritten rule that means that there are few great roles for women in their 40s and 50s. It’s a trope for good reason, as too often women have had great roles in their 20s and 30s, then find that there is a dearth of great parts until they can play grandmothers. Lately, I’ve noticed a bunch of roles, especially on the 2026 TV schedule, that buck that trend. I’m talking about shows like The White Lotus, Paradise, and DTF St. Louis. Here’s what I’ve seen from women on those shows.

Julianne Nicholson In Paradise

As I’ve written a few times this year, Paradise is easily one of my favorite shows so far this year. The sci-fi show, available with a Hulu subscription, is full of twists and turns, of course, but it’s also got several great characters. One of the best, I think most would agree, is Samantha "Sinatra" Redmond, played by Julianne Nicholson. Sinatra is a fully fleshed out character with vulnerabilities and strengths. She’s a loving mother, sure, and that seems to be her motivating force, but she’s also ruthless and maniacally focused on her goal. Those are traits you don’t often see meshed together. It gives Nicholson a ton to work with, and she really makes the most of it. You want to hate Sinatra, but you can’t. That’s the mark of a great villain (if she is the villain).

Linda Cardellini In DTF St. Louis

It’s safe to say that I have a love/hate relationship with DTF St. Louis, which is available with an HBO Max subscription. The humor is off-beat and weird (good), but its lack of understanding of the city where it is set is frustrating (bad). One thing that has kept me coming back is Linda Cardellini’s performance as the manipulative Carol Love-Smernitch. She’s smart, and she’s sexy, and she’s also a little unhinged, but in a very subtle way. It’s a great performance in a nuanced role that Cardellini is really nailing.

The Trio In White Lotus Season 3

Creator Mike White has actually been nailing the roles of women in the 50s a lot on his hit The White Lotus (also on HBO). The most recent season, Season 3, saw the trio of Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie, played by Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, and Carrie Coon. All three were, again, full characters, not just tropes. They were complicated. They were fun. They were sexy. They had it all. Aging men are often seen as sex symbols, and these three proved that whatever a man can do, they can do too, and that is all too rare in Hollywood. Or, at least, it was rare.

These actresses are not alone, of course. The world is changing, and sometimes Hollywood is slow to adapt, but it is, and these five women are showing it.

It feels like there’s a hole in the 2026 TV schedule without a new season of The White Lotus this year, but thankfully Season 4 has been coming together behind the scenes. Earlier this week, we received a bunch of casting updates about which actors are going to be checking into The White Lotus in the next season, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D’s Chloe Bennet. I love the video she posted about how she learned she’s on one of our favorite TV shows.

After Bennet was announced to be part of The White Lotus (via Deadline), the actress took fans behind the scenes about the moment she learned she had nabbed her role. Check it out:

The video shows Bennet on a video call with The White Lotus creator Mike White when he said she’s “officially approved” and “getting the offer on The White Lotus.” She reacted by jumping around with glee and getting sweetly emotional about booking the role. The 33-year-old has already accomplished a lot in her career thus far, but this has to be her highest-profile move yet.

Chloe Bennet is best known for playing Daisy Johnson/Quake on ABC’s Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D for seven seasons. She told CinemaBlend a couple of years ago that her “body hurts” still from doing a lot of her own stunts on the action series. Since the show wrapped up in 2020, she was in the Hulu mini series Interior Chinatown and A Very Jonas Christmas Movie.

Bennet’s resume also includes a voice role in the DreamWorks movie Abominable and guest stints in shows like Dave and Invincible. But when you’re on The White Lotus, chances are you’re going to go viral. Just look at what the show has done for Season 3 stars like Parker Posey or Aimee Lou Wood!

The next season of The White Lotus is set to take place in South France, reportedly from April to October. As usual, the cast will get to travel in luxury like their characters. The biggest names starring in Season 4 are Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, and Kumail Nanjiani. The cast also includes Roseanne’s Sandra Bernhard, The Hunger Games’ Alexander Ludwig, former Disney Channel star AJ Michalka, and New Girl’s Max Greenfield among other names.

With her casting, Chloe Bennet is pretty much booked up for the rest of the year, and we’ll expect to see the season itself sometime in 2027. Until then, you can currently see Mike White on Survivor 50, which airs on CBS on Wednesdays. Apparently, being back on the reality show was even helpful to him before Season 4.

I’m not part of Coach, Joe and Colby’s honor and integrity alliance. I believe lying is often a reasonable and maybe even fundamental part of playing Survivor. You need to do what you need to do to maneuver yourself to the end of the game. That being said, getting caught in a lie is most definitely not strong gameplay, and oh wow, do I have an Angelina Keeley story for you about that.

During one of his exit interviews, Q was asked about the people on the tribe he ended up with after the swap. Even though he started on the same beach as Angelina, he wasn’t particularly happy to see her grab the same color buff because he was pretty sure she had already lied to him. Apparently, during the early days of Vatu, Angelina was asked about her relationship with Mike White, who we know from a confessional is one of her “best friends on the planet.” Instead of owning up to how close they are, she went the exact opposite direction and said they hadn’t spoken in more than three years.

Rizo told Q that definitely wasn’t the case because Angelina is in Season 2 of Mike’s HBO hit The White Lotus, which aired less than three years ago. I guess it’s theoretically possible, given when The White Lotus filmed and when Survivor filmed, that she could have shot her lines slightly more than three years before, but if she was going to hold to that, she should have told Mike. She apparently did not because he did not back her up when confronted at all.

Q told Brink Of Reality that he decided to question Mike about his relationship with Angelina, since he was suspicious about what she said, and the popular showrunner told an entirely different story. Here’s a portion of his quote…

I think downplaying her relationship with Mike may have been a smart idea. We know Savannah and Rizo, as an example, downplayed how close they were to each other on 49. You don't want to be seen as a duo, but if you're going to lie, you need to coordinate your story with the other person. You need to have a plan for what you're going to say when people ask about your relationship.

Regardless, Angelina won her battle against Q. Her confirmed good friend Mike partnered with their David vs Goliath castmate Christian, plus Emily and Ozzy to send Q packing. He was eliminated during this past episode in 21st place, though his long-term future on Survivor still looks very promising. His brief appearance was treated very positively by fans, and OG legend Rob Cesternino predicted he could be a five time player before he’s done.

As for Angelina, her future is a little more questionable. She’s still alive in the game and seemingly in a good spot in her tribe, but she’s also been surprisingly under-edited this season. She’s only gotten five confessionals, which is a shock given how big of a character she was on David vs Goliath. There’s still time for her to rebound, but she’s going to need to start being a bigger presence on the show, both to make a deep run and to be in consideration for a future season.

You can check out new episodes of Survivor 50 featuring its stellar cast when they air on Wednesday evenings on CBS. You can also stream on Paramount+.

The White Lotus has become one of the biggest hits on HBO. While the ensemble cast changes every year along with the locale, audiences have hungrily tuned in year after year for all of the mystery, sex, class disparity and murder that each story has provided. Three seasons of the award-winning series have served fans with all kinds of wildness, and it’s fun that the whole television experience can be tied back to a special two week trip that creator Mike White took with Season 1 and star Jennifer Coolidge.

Season 4 of the show is now in the works, with the action set to move to southern France, but White reflected on White Lotus’ origins during a recent guest appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. The host asked about the initial inspiration for the hit premium cable dramedy, and the filmmaker recalled how it came together via observing one of his close friends. Said White.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if he’s referring to a metaphorical stuffed purse (potentially suggesting a very busy mind), or a literal purse (suggesting she is the kind of person who makes a whole drama out of finding something she needs from her bag). Regardless, he paints an amusing and understandable picture – especially when thinking about her character, the emotionally unstable Tanya McQuoid from The White Lotus’ first two seasons.

Beyond the metaphorical/literal purse, Mike White was just fascinated to watch her spin certain thoughts. While unleashing his own Jennifer Coolidge impression, he recalled their opportunity to see a pride of lions:

We never actually got to see Tanya McQuoid on safari, with Season 1 taking place in Hawaii and Season 2 set in Sicily, but it’s not difficult in the slightest to imagine the character behaving the exact same way.

Witnessing his friend in vacation mode, Mike White found inspiration to craft a character specifically for her, and it was from that initial thought that we got the White Lotus. He concluded,

Sadly, Tanya McQuoid is no more, as she died during a botched assassination in Season 2, but the show lives on. Casting this month has revealed that The White Lotus Season 4 will be stacked with talent, as the ensemble is set to include Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, and Sandra Bernhard. While we (not so) patiently wait for new episodes, the previous three runs are all available to stream with a HBO Max subscription.

The next James Bond is fully in motion, but casting announcements remain one of the most tightly-guarded secrets in Hollywood. Ever since Daniel Craig’s Bond films ended and he officially hung up the tux, speculation has been nonstop as Bond 26 slowly takes shape behind the scenes at Amazon. So, when a random piece of theater gossip starts floating around London with the words “Who’s gonna be Bond?” attached to it, people's ears are going to perk up. That’s exactly what happened this week, thanks to an Aimee Lou Wood play in London.

In a post from celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi, an anonymous tipster claims they overheard a studio executive on the phone while attending an Aimee Lou Wood play at London’s Royal Court Theatre. The source says they heard the exec say:

To be clear, these tips are often, by design, unverified, but how interesting is this if true? A studio exec on a phone in a public space could mean a lot of things. It could’ve been industry chatter. It could’ve been speculation. It could’ve been someone important… or someone who just wanted to sound important. Or, the tipster could be making the story up whole cloth. Yet, the timing, the setting, and really any forward momentum on Bond 26 castings make this one interesting to me.

Aimee Lou Wood has been quietly building an impressive résumé since breaking out as a cast member of Sex Education. She’s earned critical praise for her stage work, and her London run at the Royal Court has reportedly been wonderful. The tipster even called the show “stellar” and said everyone in London should see it.

Here’s where the rumor gets more layered than a bundled-up spy during an Antarctica mission. Wood's name has emerged in discussions, among many other capable actresses, as a potential cast member of the upcoming 007 movie. Of course, she is allegedly a candidate for a Bond girl, not for the role of Bond, despite the recent female Bond discourse, which makes the rumor more interesting.

This is far from an official shortlist, but the fact that her name is circulating in these conversations suggests that someone in the industry may envision Wood in that role. So, was the executive simply enjoying a night of great theater, or were they discreetly scouting a potential future Bond girl from the audience?

This is where we pump the brakes, as there are currently no confirmed casting news about the next 007. The franchise has been in a transitional phase since No Time To Die, with producers staying tight-lipped about direction, tone, and lead actor.

Still, we do know a few concrete things about Bond 26. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct, once he wraps post-production duties on Dune: Part Three. That alone signals a serious tonal shift for the franchise. The script is reportedly in the hands of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, which suggests a grounded, character-forward approach. Most tellingly, multiple reports have suggested this new era may feature a younger Bond, potentially even leaning into origin-story territory.

Casting rumors have been everywhere as the filmmakers continue the search for the next Bond. Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Henry Cavill. Tom Hardy. Timothée Chalamet. More recently, there’s been chatter about the Masters of the Air actor Callum Turner and even Jacob Elordi. The consistent theme seems to be a youthful reset. At minimum, this latest rumor suggests that Bond conversations are actively underway behind the scenes and, if true, could be close to being announced. If Aimee Lou Wood is even peripherally in that orbit of discussions, that’s a fascinating development in itself.

If this version of Bond skewers younger, that would naturally open the door to a new generation of co-stars as well. A fresh Bond girl. A different tone. A shift away from the Craig era’s grit toward something slightly more stylized or introspective under Villeneuve’s eye. None of this confirms anything about Aimee Lou Wood, of course. It’s still gossip. But it’s compelling gossip.

Production reportedly won’t begin until 2027, with a likely 2028 release at the earliest. So, while we fans have been waiting a long time for the project to get off the ground, the end is insight. Still, two years is a long runway for rumors to fly. For now, this is just a West End whisper.

As fans wait for more 007 news, they can revisit every Bond film, now streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Survivor is one of the best reality shows in TV history, and is a and groundbreaking show that's influenced countless projects that followed. New seasons regularly air on CBS (and streaming with a Paramount+ subscription), and the generations of fans are hyped for the upcoming 50th season, which will feature returning players. That includes Mike White, who recently shared how playing the game in Fiji will help The White Lotus Season 4.

The cast of Survivor 50 is stacked, and there are plenty of fans who are hyped to see what Mike White does in his second go at becoming Sole Survivor and the show's million dollar prize. While some fans might have hoped he'd dive right back into The White Lotus, the Emmy-winner spoke to EW about how his time in the game will actually benefit the beloved HBO dramedy. He explained that he really needs to stop thinking about the show in order to return to it with a fresh perspective. In his words:

Shortly after its release, The White Lotus joined the ranks of HBO shows that got the world talking. And in order to make the upcoming fourth season as great as possible, Mike White needs to be able to step away, get new ideas, and then bring them to the table. So returning for Survivor 50 came at a perfect time.

The first three seasons of The White Lotus (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription) were quintessential water cooler talk, and consistently went viral thanks to its steamy scenes and wild twists. Later in the same interview, White explained why he needed to take a break from his show ahead of Season 4, saying:

This makes a great deal of sense... even if White Lotus fans would like to see Season 4 arrive sooner rather than later. Luckily development on the next season, which will be set in France, is happening. The ensemble cast is already coming together, including the great Helena Bonham Carter.

Survivor 50 will premiere on February 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. It's currently unclear when The White Lotus Season 4 will return, but hopefully its sooner rather than later.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Shifting Gears episode "Dog." Stream it with a Hulu subscription and read at your own risk!

The Parker family is back as Shifting Gears resumed Season 2 with its winter premiere in the 2026 TV schedule. As Riley and Matt battled over house decor and having equal stakes in house decisions, they were also on pet-sitting duty for Carter's girlfriend while she was out of town. This led to an unexpected reference to The White Lotus, which was more perfect than I ever could've imagined.

If I were to make a Venn diagram with Shifting Gears in one circle and The White Lotus in the other, I'm not sure there'd be any overlap other than this one thing. It was a line uttered by my favorite little sister character, Georgia, as she talked about how disappointed she was in an apartment Riley took the children to see earlier:

My ears perked up as soon as I heard the line, and I was reminded of the iconic performance Parker Posey gave as Victoria Ratliff. Georgia mentioned in the episode that she was planning to use the dog to boost her TikTok engagement, and I'd definitely believe she was on the platform given the amount of memes I saw tied to that one line in The White Lotus.

I think what I love most about this line is what it suggests about Georgia. Is it possible the child, who is far too young to be watching The White Lotus, managed to sneak a watch with an HBO Max subscription? Maybe she's just one of those kids who sees a meme with no context and quotes it nonstop. In any case, it was hilarious and unexpected, and I'd love to see more of that in Shifting Gears.

Ultimately, Riley abandoned her plans to move out of her father's house, mainly because it was just far too expensive. I am happy that Matt agreed to let his daughter "pay rent," with the money going into a fund for an eventual down payment on a house. Granted, I'd have to wonder how much she's putting in toward rent to be able to afford her own home, but perhaps that's a problem for a future episode to tackle.

Shifting Gears is back on ABC with new episodes on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. I'm eager to see how Matt will bounce back from his big breakup with Eve, and if Riley will ever come clean about her feelings for Gabe.

The 2025 Golden Globes nominations are officially out, and as usual, there is a lot to talk about. Actor Walton Goggins had a big year on the 2025 TV schedule, and it isn't even officially finished yet with Fallout Season 2 on the way. I wasn't surprised to see him get nominated for an award, but I am amazed that one performance was ignored entirely.

For those who haven't seen it yet, Walton Goggins is nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television for his role in The White Lotus Season 3. It's a solid performance, and he's rightfully up against former co-star Jason Isaacs for the award. It didn't have to be that way, however, as I would argue his work in The Righteous Gemstones' final season was the best thing he's done this year so far.

His Performance As Uncle Baby Billy On The Righteous Gemstones Was Ignored

I remember the broad strokes of what happened to Walton Goggins' character in The White Lotus Season 3, but to be quite honest, it felt like one of his most subdued performances I've seen in a while. When I see Goggins in any role, I expect charisma, a bit of southern charm, and something slightly sleazy. In short, Uncle Baby Billy in The Righteous Gemstones had one of his best arcs in the series in the final season.

From jet-skiing completely naked to starring as the lead in Teenjus, The Righteous Gemstones gave Walton Goggins a lot of runway to go off the rails as Uncle Baby Billy. He ran with it and gave what I would call one of the best performances of the entire series. Unfortunately, it seems the journalists who decide nominations for The Golden Globes did not feel the same way.

Why Do Award Shows Continue To Snub The Righteous Gemstones?

This isn't the first time that The Righteous Gemstones was snubbed entirely by an awards show. The Emmys never gave it an award during its entire run, which is just baffling to me. Meanwhile, shows like The Bear won an award for Outstanding Comedy Series. At the same time, the Danny McBride-led HBO comedy continued to dominate the pop culture conversation with its satirical take on megachurches.

It's baffling to me that this series continues to be disrespected by awards shows, especially given its popularity and stellar cast. Hell, you'd even think some award show would love to give John Goodman a lifetime achievement or acknowledgement award for all he's given to Hollywood over his career, and yet I'm continually disappointed when nominations come out.

So while Walton Goggins may end up winning a Golden Globe for his performance in The White Lotus, just know that I think he deserved it much more for what he did in The Righteous Gemstones. The dance number he did alone should be a highlight of at least one of the upcoming award shows, but I'm not holding my breath that it'll be included either.

The Righteous Gemstones is available to stream on HBO Max. As for the Golden Globes, the award ceremony is set to take place on January 11th on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET. I'll be watching, but remembering all the snubbed shows and actors that didn't get acknowledged this awards season!

Over teh years a number of HBO shows got the world talking, and Mike White's The White Lotus is definitely in that category. The Emmy-winning series (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) is a quintessential water cooler show, starting back with its first season. That entry featured Alexandra Daddario as Rachel, and she recently mused about what happened to her character since we last saw her.

The White Lotus' Season 1 finale featured a surprising character death, but also featured a not-so-happy ending for Rachel. After struggling with her new husband (Jake Lacy) all season, she ultimately decided to stay with him. While speaking with People, Daddario spoke about what she thinks happened with that couple, saying:

Ouch. Throughout the whole season Rachel tried to get her husband Shane to value her perspective, including her career ambitions. Daddario is still bummed by her character's ending, and is left wondering what came of the couple in the years since. Have they had kids? Did Rachel abandon her journalistic dreams entirely? There's a ton of question and possibilities if/when the Baywatch actress returns to the HBO series.

The White Lotus is an anthology series, with a new location and new characters introduced each season. But Mike White has brought back returning players as well; Season 2 also featured Jennifer Coolidge's Tanya Mcquoid while Season 3 saw the return of Natasha Rothwell's Belinda.

As such, seeing Daddario return as Rachel doesn't seem out of the realm of possibilities. The actress seems interested in finding out what happened to her character, saying:

Same, though. I was really hoping that Rachel would leave Shane while watching The White Lotus Season 1. But ultimately she chose to stay with her husband, including all the comfort that comes with his money. I'd assume she'd be pretty miserable in that relationship, but who knows? Maybe Mike White would flip the script and find find her happier than ever.

Fans are wondering about where The White Lotus Season 4 might be set, given that we are in a different location every season. Daddario was asked where she'd like to return as Rachel, and said:

We'll just have to wait and see what location Mike White is focusing his series on next, and if he'll be bringing back any returning characters. The show is wildly popular, so I assume that plenty of actors would like to pop back up, including Alexandra Daddario.

The first three season of The White Lotus are streaming now on HBO Max. We'll have to wait and see when it returns, but fans are hoping the next season will be part of the 2026 TV schedule.

Since starring in Season 3 of The White Lotus on the 2025 TV schedule, Aimee Lou Wood has been making headlines. Despite being made fun of on Saturday Night Live, the actress was stealing the show as Chelsea. Overall, her performance was beloved, and Wood, who was nominated for an Emmy for playing Chelsea, is now opening up about her experience on the series and how it also helped her overcome body image issues.

One of the great things about acting is that people can pretend to be someone else for a brief time, and it’s like nothing else matters. And Wood feels that exact way. Speaking to that point, the BAFTA winner opened up to Harper’s Bazaar about performing and how freeing a role can be:

I love that acting can be that safe space for a lot of people.

For Wood, working on The White Lotus helped her become more confident in her body. The story explained that having to film scenes for the show in a bikini brought back the actress's body dysmorphia. She had it as a teenager, and it returned during this shoot. However, she was able to overcome it by harnessing Chelsea's confidence, as she explained:

Chelsea's confidence seems to have helped Wood find confidence in her body again, which is great and inspiring. And like her, many other celebrities have gotten candid about body image issues and overcoming them, including Janelle Monáe, who previously opened up about finding confidence in their own body after feeling shame for showing it.

Now, along with this personal situation, Wood’s time on The White Lotus has been quite a roller coaster. There had been rumors that she and Walton Goggins were feuding, and she also doubled down on being called out on SNL following the parody sketch that made fun of her. SNL reportedly invited Wood to appear on the show after the sketch aired, but she very directly said she wouldn’t do it. However, she's handled it all well, and she has spoken highly about working on the HBO hit.

It could be hard for Aimee Lou Wood to find a character like Chelsea again, and since The White Lotus is an anthology series, it can be expected that she won’t make another appearance in the future. However, I'm sure she'll find another fantastic part that can help her grow both professionally and personally.

The White Lotus is streaming now with an HBO Max subscription.

Throughout her career, Alexandra Daddario has had a wide range of roles on the big and small screens. She has starred in hit HBO shows, The White Lotus and True Detective, and she can currently be seen in AMC’s Mayfair Witches, which aired Season 2 on the 2025 TV schedule earlier this year. Now she’s getting real about some of her other acting choices, and I love her honesty.

While it seems like Daddario has been working nonstop, she did take a bit of a break after having her baby. Her first film back is the upcoming family drama Hershey, which is about the chocolate company of the same name. It might seem like an odd choice considering her recent filmography, but the actress told Elle that she just wanted to go back to work:

Daddario has had some pretty great roles over the years, but there have been some not-so-well-received ones as well, and I love how honest she is about it. While she didn’t name any specific projects, she has previously spoken out about her time on the Baywatch movie, where she played Summer Quinn. The actress said that the movie was a really sad time for her, pointing out how she was afraid her career was over after making a string of bad films.

Even though the movie was based on the incredibly popular TV series, it did not match its predecessor's success. That being said, she was still grateful for the experience, and it didn’t damage her career.

Unfortunately, due to some of these roles, though, Daddario has had to debunk a pretty outrageous rumor. People have said she’s a bad actress, but earlier this year, she clapped back at haters, saying that she’s done projects that “don’t showcase me in the way that I should be showcased.”

Obviously, not every role can be a winner, but Daddario made sure to mention that she’s been nominated for an Emmy for The White Lotus, and that wouldn’t have happened if she were a bad actress. She just loves acting so much that sometimes she takes on roles in projects that aren't the best.

These days, Daddario is staying as busy as ever. She is set to return as Rowan Fielding in the upcoming third season of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. She also has numerous projects in the works on top of Hershey, including the romance dramedy Happy Life with Ike Barinholtz. With her extensive filmography, she is not slowing down any time soon, regardless of whether a project fails. And it’s going to be exciting to see what else she works on, no matter how well it does.

After The White Lotus Season 3 started off the 2025 TV schedule on a high note, we're of course awaiting the next chapter in Mike White's series. Sure, there's the catchy theme tune, apt commentaries and star-studded cast is signature on the show, but so are its breathtaking filming locations. And the word on the street is that the HBO production is currently going in a new direction as it nails down which hotels in France the season will be set in.

Per a new report by Variety, production is currently looking into filming in luxury hotels in both Paris and the French Riviera. While the last three installments of the show each took place in another one of Four Seasons' properties, this time HBO is looking into other options since it hasn't renewed its marketing partnership with the hotel chain.

While the production hasn’t yet nailed down any locations officially (nor has HBO confirmed Season 4 will take place in France), there are two hotels in Paris that are currently in the running. But in the same breath, it was suggested that the season will “likely unfold mostly in the South of France” with a subplot in Paris.

One of the hotels reportedly being considered was built in the Art Nouveau style back in 1910, and has famously been visited by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Charles de Gaulle and James Joyce. Here’s a taste:

The other hotel reportedly on The White Lotus’s list is The Ritz Paris, which is located in central Paris. It’s another five-star property which was established back in 1898 with equally as iconic guests, between Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Marcel Proust. Take a look:

As the new report suggests, The White Lotus is eyeing to start filming in 2026, and while the cast has yet to be formed, it could also involve some famous actors from the region. When the shocking Season 3 finale of The White Lotus aired earlier this year, Mike White said in the “after the episode” segment that he wanted to “get a little bit out of the crashing waves of rocks vernacular” for Season 4. He also suggested that “there’s always more room for more murders in White Lotus hotels”.

Another thing we'll be curious about The White Lotus Season 4 is which returning characters might show up. In Season 3, Belinda had a big role, and left us seeing her sail away with $5 million in her pocket. Could she have extended her vacation over in France, or will a completely different character from The White Lotus past return for the upcoming season?

Either way, we're certainly in for another season of opulence, given some of the locations that the HBO production is reportedly looking at. While we wait for more details, you can stream every season so far with an HBO Max subscription.

Sydney Sweeney loves a challenge, whether she’s breaking into Hollywood through several prestige HBO dramas, producing her own films, or transforming her body and mind for Oscar-caliber roles. But in a recent interview, the Emmy-nominated actress revealed that one surprising bucket list goal is to team up with The White Lotus creator and Survivor competitor, Mike White, for The Amazing Race, and the director and writer made an A+ point about it.

Sweeney, who worked with White on HBO's Emmy-winning series The White Lotus, shared her admiration for his reality TV history during a wide-ranging profile with Variety. Yes, the School of Rock co-writer has already competed on both Survivor and The Amazing Race, but Sweeney is floating the idea of joining him for another go-round on the globe-trotting competition. She explained:

She’s probably right. Mike White isn’t just a brilliant writer-director; he also made it to the final four on Survivor: David vs. Goliath and previously competed on two seasons of The Amazing Race alongside his father. Sweeney, on the other hand, before going full Rocky for her role as Christy Martin in the upcoming sports biopic, Christy, trained in MMA growing up and has shown she can thrive under high-pressure, physically demanding conditions both on set and in real life. If we’re building a dream team, this duo is seriously stacked.

And the script doctor-turned-reality-TV-scene-stealer seems to agree with the Anyone But You star. Here is what he said on the matter:

White makes a wonderful point. And anyone who’s watched Sweeney navigate the Hollywood machine, her American Eagle jeans controversy, and red-carpet moments with both grace and grit knows he’s got a point. It also helps that the two have history.

White cast Sweeney as Olivia Mossbacher in The White Lotus, a role that the rising Hollywood powerhouse made her own by adding unexpected layers of vulnerability to an otherwise cold and cutting character. The mind behind the series admits he didn’t initially envision the young actress for the part, that was until she walked in and completely redefined it. Since then, their creative bond has only grown.

Would The Amazing Race actually cast them as a team? Who knows. But if CBS and host Phil Keoghan are paying attention, this has all the makings of a prestige-meets-pop-culture crossover that could get everyone talking. Just picture the A-list duo rocking matching backpacks—it’s a win-win for CBS anyway you slice it.

For now, it’s just a fun hypothetical. But if you’ve been following Sydney Sweeney’s meteoric rise, you know better than to bet against her—especially when she sets her sights on something.

Up next on her 2025 movie slate is Christy, landing in theaters on November 7. As for Mike White, he’s heading back to the island for Survivor’s landmark 50th season, which will air in the spring of 2026.

Though South Park is currently public enemy #1 in regards to its controversial celebrity impersonations, Saturday Night Live is no slouch in that department, and while its targets often take the spoofing with good humor, reactions can occasionally get more emotionally fraught. Such was the case with The White Lotus’ Aimee Lou Wood, whose sobbing reaction video to Sarah Sherman’s impression sparked its own wave of coverage, with fans and cast members coming to her defense, while others were critical about lacking sense of humor.

The sketch in question put a spotlight on Wood’s teeth, a physical trait the actress had been vocal about drawing less attention to, only for SNL to blow that ideal up with its April 12 episode featuring the “White POTUS” sketch. Much has been said since about that and Wood’s so-called feud with co-star Walton Goggins, to the point where one might wonder if the actress regrets her initial reaction to the sketch, which she may or may not have been apologized to over. Speaking to the BBC about her new film, Wood says she’s living a regret-free life:

Five months after the fact, Aimee Lou Wood is still feeling justified by her actions, tying it back into a point in her life before reaching celebrity status, when she didn't have a platform to call out those bullying her, so to speak. It doesn't seem like the public discourse had an ill effect on her career, as she went on to earn an Emmy nomination for her work as Chelsea.

In fact, she even earned a regretful apology of sorts from SNL's Sarah Sherman herself, who said that she was extremely excited at the time to bring the sketch to life, and that she never meant for it to legitimately hurt the other actress' feelings. Fans hope to see the two share the screen at some point, presumably without any large fake teeth invovlved.

Wood continued, saying that despite anything that's happened sense, she feels like she made the right call. As she put it:

For those who may not remember anything from five months ago, for one reason or another, give it a watch below.

The sketch comedy staple will return to the 2025 TV schedule for Season 51's premiere on Saturday, October 5, with the first upcoming SNL guest host set to be Bad Bunny, with musical guest Doja Cat.

The third season of The White Lotus was without a doubt one of the can’t-miss options on the 2025 TV schedule. We got to know several people at the titular Thailand resort, but one of the most fascinating storylines to follow was that of the Ratliff family. Patrick Schwarzenegger got some pretty good advice from his TV mom Parker Posey about how to develop the character of Saxon — the oldest of the three Ratliff siblings — and yes, his crotch was involved.

Parker Posey was a highlight of The White Lotus Season 3 (available to stream with an HBO Max subscription), playing Victoria, the pill-popping Ratliff matriarch with a wild Southern accent. It sounds like it was a real treat to learn from her, as Patrick Schwarzenegger paid a visit to Hot Ones and revealed how Posey taught him to embody his character. He said:

It sounds to me like Parker Posey was already in character when they had that conversation (I kind of need to know what body part SHE was leading with), because she was already referring to Patrick Schwarzenegger as her son, and when the actor told her part of the story, he adapted that North Carolina drawl.

It was good advice, though, and for a character as cocksure as Saxon was, it definitely makes sense that would be his body part of choice. It’s likely that kind of attitude that inspired The White Lotus porn parody as well.

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s character had quite the journey on Season 3 of Mike White’s popular drama. Saxon’s hypersexuality led to him kissing his brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola), and the incest story only got weirder from there.

Perhaps unfortunately, Parker Posey wasn’t the only one talking about the Gen V actor’s genitals. In addition to his TV mother’s advice to be cock-forward at all times, he also had his real-life dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, hyping up his nude scene, even going viral for calling out his son’s “weenie” in an interview. Jeez, thanks, pops.

At least Patrick wasn’t alone? Jason Isaacs also had a nude scene in his role as Timothy Ratliff, Saxon’s dad — and boy you can bet the Harry Potter fans went nuts (don’t worry, guys, it was a prosthetic.)

Only time will tell what The White Lotus Season 4 will look like, or which body parts those characters will lead with, but if you want to relive any of the other iterations of vacations I could never afford, the first three seasons are available to stream on HBO Max.

We’re still like six months away from the premiere of Survivor 50, but that hasn’t stopped fans from getting their speculation on. The moment the cast was announced, people started doing deep dives into the personal relationships of the returning players, and after the tribe assignments leaked, the wild guesses about how it’ll all play out really kicked in. I’ve seen theories about every single castaway at one point or another, but there’s perhaps no one that’s been speculated about more than Mike White.

In probably the biggest surprise casting of Survivor 50, host Jeff Probst announced the creator of The White Lotus would be returning to play for the second time. In general, fans have been super stoked about the acclaimed writer heading back to Fiji, given how well he played the first time, but predictions about how exactly he’ll do have been all over the board.

Some fans feel he’s going to be an easy target for an early boot, given he’s a wealthy celebrity with a high profile career. Others, however, think he’s going to have a much longer run, given how strong he’s proven in the past at forming close social relationships with his tribemates. In fact, there are even theories going around that his history of giving Survivor castaways he’s close to walk-on roles in The White Lotus will potentially help him stick around.

If you’re wondering how mainstream those theories have gotten, Probst was actually asked about the cameos during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He obviously wouldn’t comment on whether they came up during Survivor 50, which recently concluded filming, but he did say he was broadly supportive of the cameos in general, of which there have been several. Here’s a portion of his quote…

There’s a minority of fans who think the potential cameos may be an unfair influence on his tribemates, but I tend to look at it like this. Everyone comes to Survivor with certain skills and certain things they can offer the tribe. Some people are big threats. Some people are able to slide under the radar. Some people can fish. Some people are good conversationalists. The list goes on. You have to use whatever you can to help you advance. Mike has a huge target on his back because of his celebrity; so, if his history of giving out cameos to his friends helps mitigate that, that’s fair play in my book.

Of course, not everyone is so interested in a cameo though. Many of White’s former tribemates have jumped at the chance to appear on The White Lotus, but one notable omission has been Jeff Probst. The longtime face of Survivor hasn’t appeared, and if he’s to be believed, that’s not going to happen. He was asked about cameoing during the same interview, and he poured cold water all over it.

I think he could figure out a way to work Probst in, but I do think it would be a lot more complicated, given he’s a lot more recognizable than your average Survivor player. Even non-fans would likely say, “isn’t that the Survivor guy?” in a way that hasn’t happened with Angelina or any of the other random player cameos.

Survivor 50 is scheduled to premiere on CBS in early 2026. The cast will include 24 returning players including White. Fans were initially very vocal about some of the casting choices and the alleged format of the season, but that frustration has largely subsided and turned into straight excitement. Personally, I can’t wait to see White and everyone else back out there, and in an ideal world, I can’t wait to see at least a few of the people show up on White Lotus. Fingers crossed for Coach and Cirie.

In just a few years, filmmaker Mike White has become a household name thanks to his work on the popular HBO series The White Lotus (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription). While Season 3 was recently nominated for 2025 Emmy Awards, White has been busy as part of the cast of Survivor 50. Although a HBO exec recently explained what's "great" about his return to reality TV.

While Mike White returned to Survivor (which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription), fans have been wondering where White Lotus Season 4 might film.... and if the show might face delays as a result of White's reunion with Jeff Probst in Fiji. HBO Max boss Casey Bloys spoke to Variety about why this return to reality TV could be helpful for next season, offering:

Honestly, he's got a point. Survivor is the ultimate social experiment, which will no doubt provide plenty of inspiration for the new batch of characters who are brought into The White Lotus 4. So while White might be busy trying to outwit, outplay, and outlast, Bloys seems to think that he's still got the acclaimed HBO comedy series on the brain. Now I'm suddenly even more invested in both of these shows.

While some folks wonder how much Survivor contestants make, I'm curious about which characters from the 50th season might influence The White Lotus Season 4. Mike White also has a habit of giving his Survivor castmates cameos, so someone he competed with could even end up popping up on the show.

Later in that same interview, Casey Bloys teased the talks that have been happening behind the scenes about The White Lotus' fourth season. He shared:

It's nice seeing how much faith Bloys and the folks at the network have in Mike White's creative process. They seem down to follow him wherever he'd like to film for Season 4, whether it's in Europe or somewhere else entirely. Of course we all know the location where he's been spending time lately: Fiji. But perhaps that would be too obvious f a choice after Survivor.

For those unfamiliar, White debuted on Survivor's 37th season, David vs Goliath. Despite his long history in Hollywood he was able to be treated like everyone else, and was a fan favorite. For Season 50 he'll be playing with all returning players, including some absolute legends from the franchise. And I'm eager to see exactly how the interpersonal dynamics play out.

The White Lotus' first three seasons are streaming on HBO Max, and Season 4 isn't expected as part of the 2025 TV premiere list. While we wait for Mike White's Survivor return, you can re-watch his first season on Paramount+.

It’s once again time to look back at everything we’ve watched so far on the 2025 TV schedule and beyond in order to celebrate and honor the very best that broadcast, cable and streaming platforms have to offer. Or, you know, whatever shows everyone in the TV Academy voted for, even if they don’t square up exactly with audience expectations. That’s right, the 2025 Emmy Awards nominations were announced for the upcoming awards ceremony.

What We Do In the Shadows’ Harvey Guillén and Running Point’s Brenda Song announced this year’s major nominations, but we also rounded up all of the supporting and guest-star noms that were left out of the live video, followed by a smattering of caffeine-fueled reactions and commentary pointing out the biggest snubs and other fun facts.

77th Emmy Awards Quick Facts

• Network: CBS
• Air Date: Sunday, September 14
• Air Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
• Host: Comedian Nate Bargatze

Welcome, TV Lovers And Award Show Fanatics!

The Emmy nominations are almost always a hurried and harried affair, so let's make sure we have all our much-needed items nearby to help us make it through the morning.

Coffee? Check.
More coffee? Check.
The rest of the coffee? Check.

Well, that was quicker than expected. So let's take a look at the first of two categories already announced this morning.

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

• The Amazing Race
• RuPaul’s Drag Race
• Survivor
• Top Chef
• The Traitors

MY PREDICTION: The Traitors

Outstanding Talk Series

• The Daily Show
• Jimmy Kimmel Live!
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

MY PREDICTION: The Daily Show, which has won the past two years of the "post-John Oliver winning every year" era

It's Go Time

Big props to Chairman Cris Abrego for kicking things off. He gets my nomination for whatever this would be nominated for.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

• Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”
• Stephen Graham, “Adolescence”
• Jake Gyllenhaal, "Presumed Innocent"
• Brian Tyree Henry, “Dope Thief”
• Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

MY PREDICTION: Stephen Graham

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

• Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer”
• Meaghann Fahy “Sirens”
• Rashida Jones, “Black Mirror”
• Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin”
• Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex”

MY PREDICTION: Michelle Williams

Outstanding Limited Series

• Adolescence
• Black Mirror
• Dying for Sex
• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
• The Penguin

MY PREDICTION: Adolescence

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy

• Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
• Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
• Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
• Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
• Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Nobody celebrates an Emmy nomination quite like Kristen Bell, whose hubby Dax Shepard captured her mostly nude reaction to the news.

MY PREDICTION: Jean Smart

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy

• Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
• Seth Rogen, “The Studio”
• Jason Segel, “Shrinking”
• Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
• Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

MY PREDICTION: Seth Rogen

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary
• The Bear
• Hacks
• Nobody Wants This
• Only Murders in the Building
• Shrinking
• The Studio
• What We Do in the Shadows

MY PREDICTION: The Studio

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama

• Kathy Bates, “Matlock”
• Sharon Horgan, “Bad Sisters”
• Britt Lower, “Severance”
• Bella Ramsey, “The Last of Us”
• Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”

MY PREDICTION: Britt Lower

But for all that I'd love to see the Severance co-star take home the gold, I'm quite enamored by Kathy Bates' humbled reaction to her nomination, and who doesn't love Kathy Bates?

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama

• Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise”
• Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”
• Pedro Pascal, “The Last of Us”
• Adam Scott, “Severance”
• Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”

MY PREDICTION: Sterling K. Brown

Outstanding Drama Series

• Andor
• The Diplomat
• The Last of Us
• Paradise
• The Pitt
• Severance
• Slow Horses
• The White Lotus

MY PREDICTION: Severance

Additional Limited Series & TV Movie Nominations

I'm not sure if it's just me, or if everyone else also always believes that the prior year's Emmy nominations were spread out and timed better. With zero supporting performer categories being addressed in the live announcement, I'm going to run through those as well for the major categories.

Outstanding TV Movie

• Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
• The Gorge
• Mountainhead (MY PREDICTION)
• Nonnas
• Rebel Ridge

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

• Erin Doherty, “Adolescence”
• Ruth Negga “Presumed Innocent”
• Deirdre O’Connell, “The Penguin” (MY PREDICTION)
• Chloë Sevigny, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
• Jenny Slate, “Dying for Sex”
• Christine Tremarco, “Adolescence”

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

• Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" (MY PREDICTION)
• Bill Camp “Presumed Innocent”
• Owen Cooper, “Adolescence”
• Rob Delaney, “Dying for Sex”
• Peter Sarsgaard, “Presumed Innocent”
• Ashley Walters, “Adolescence”

Additional Comedy Series Nominations

Same deal here for the Comedy noms.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy

• Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”
• Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks” (MY PREDICTION)
• Kathryn Hahn, “The Studio”
• Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”
• Catherine O’Hara, “The Studio”
• Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”
• Jessica Williams, “Shrinking”

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy

• Ike Barinholtz, “The Studio” (MY PREDICTION)
• Colman Domingo “The Four Seasons”
• Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”
• Jeff Hiller, “Somebody Somewhere”
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
• Michael Urie, “Shrinking”
• Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live”

Shrinking stars Harrison Ford, Michael Urie and Jessica Williams shared celebratory texts after their respective nominations were announced, making me want to hang out with that squad even more than I already did.

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

• Olivia Colman, “The Bear”
• Jamie Lee Curtis, "The Bear"
• Cynthia Erivo, "Poker Face"
• Robby Hoffman, “Hacks”
• Zoë Kravitz, "The Studio"
• Julianne Nicholson, "Hacks" (MY PREDICTION)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

• Jon Bernthal, "The Bear”
• Bryan Cranston, "The Studio" (MY PREDICTION)
• Dave Franco, “The Studio”
• Ron Howard, "The Studio"
• Anthony Mackie, “The Studio”
• Martin Scorsese, "The Studio"

Additional Drama Series Nominations

Stop me if you've heard this one....we're looking at the unmentioned Drama categories.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama

• Patricia Arquette, “Severance”
• Carrie Coon, “The White Lotus”
• Julianne Nicholson, “Paradise”
• Parker Posey, “The White Lotus” (MY PREDICTION)
• Natasha Rothwell, “The White Lotus”
• Aimee Lou Wood, “The White Lotus”

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama

• Zach Cherry, “Severance”
• Walton Goggins, “The White Lotus”
• Jason Isaacs, “The White Lotus”
• James Marsden, “Paradise”
• Sam Rockwell, “The White Lotus”
• Tramell Tillman, “Severance” (MY PREDICTION)
• John Turturro, “Severance”

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama

• Jane Alexander, "Severance"
• Gwendoline Christie, "Severance" (MY PREDICTION)
• Kaitlin Dever, "The Last Of Us"
• Cherry Jones, "The Handmaid's Tale"
• Catherine O'Hara, "The Last Of Us"
• Merritt Wever, "Severance"

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama

• Giancarlo Esposito, “The Boys”
• Scott Glenn, “The White Lotus”
• Shawn Hatosy, “The Pitt”
• Joe Pantoliano, “The Last Of Us” (MY PREDICTION)
• Forest Whitaker, “Andor”
• Jeffrey Wright, “The Last Of Us“

Praise Kier For All These Severance Nominations!

Holy ORTBO, people! One of the biggest winners of the day is already Severance, even months before the actual awards get handed out. If anyone was worried about the Apple TV+ drama not making much of an impact after a three-year absence, the whopping 27 Emmy nominations is proof that this show is a critical darling of the highest order.

Season 2 earned NINE acting nominations — Jane Alexander, Patricia Arquette, Zach Cherry, Gwendoline Christie, Britt Lower, Adam Scott, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, and Merritt Wever — and the other 18 nods were across a variety of different categories. From various Picture Editing nods to a pair of Outstanding Direction noms to ones for stunts, music composition, visual effects and more.

Oh yeah, and Outstanding Drama Series, the biggest award of the night. I'm a huge Severance obsessive, so if the show wins all 27 awards, I would come away happy. (And also confused, since several of the nominated talents are competing against each other in the same category, and thus would make it impossible for all 27 to win, but nothing is impossible at Lumon.)

2025 Emmys By (Some Of) The Numbers

As it normally goes, a bulk of the Emmy nominations went to a relatively limited number of shows. But it wasn't just the same three shows this year, even though past behemoths like Hacks and The Bear are still showing up in a big way. Let's look at some of the more interesting stats to be culled from this year's noms.

• Shows With The Most Nominations
  • Severance - 27
  • The Penguin - 24
  • The Studio - 23
  • The White Lotus - 23
  • The Last Of Us - 16
  • Hacks - 14
  • Andor - 14
  • Adolescence - 13
  • The Bear - 13
  • The Pitt - 13
• Networks / Streaming Platforms With The Most Nominations
  • HBO / HBO Max - 142
  • Netflix - 120
  • Apple TV+ - 79
  • ABC - 37
  • FX on Hulu - 35
  • NBC - 29
  • Disney+ - 28
  • CBS - 26
  • Hulu - 23
  • Peacock - 19

While so many accolades go to shows that have been on the air for years, I'm always intrigued by which completely new series end up getting nominated across the categories, since it means those shows went above and beyond to capture everyone's attention spans. This year is no exception, either. Check out some of the biggest wins amongst freshman TV shows, not counting limited series.

• Most Nominations For New Shows
  • The Studio - 23
  • The Pitt - 13
  • The Residence - 4
  • Mid-Century Modern - 4
  • Nobody Wants This. - 3
  • The Diplomat. - 3
  • Agatha All Along - 3
  • The Four Seasons - 1
  • Matlock - 1
  • Pop Culture Jeopardy! - 1
  • The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - 1
  • Bad Thoughts - 1

A Few Quick Takes From CinemaBlend's Riley Utley

When asked to talk about some of her most positive takeaways from the Emmy nominations, she first gave credit to the voters for letting surprises into Drama's Supporting Actor category:

Another big plus in Riley's book? The love showered onto the acclaimed limited series Dying for Sex. Here's what she had to say:

Expect to hear a bit more from Riley when it comes to snubs.

POLL: Let Us Know What Show You Think Should Win Outstanding Drama Series

Since I've already shared my impulsive predictions for what actors and series will win when the Emmys air in September, let me get YOUR thoughts on what should win for Outstanding Drama series.

POLL: Let Us Know What Show You Think Should Win Outstanding Comedy Series

Second verse, same as the first. Or in this case: Second poll, same as...the first...roll. Ugh. Everyone forget what was just said, and answer the poll below!

The 6 Most Glaring Drama TV Snubs From The 2025 Emmy Nominations

Even with all the Severance nominations at play, I could still spend the next 10-15 minutes yapping about all the parts of the show that didn't get attention for. But none of that would readily count as a snub, so let's take a look at some of the examples that actually count.

In no discernible order:

1. Barely any love for the long-anticipated final season of The Handmaid's Tale or its star/producer Elisabeth Moss. The only nominee for the previous Oustanding Drama winner is Cherry Jones for her guest spot.
2. For all the nominations that The White Lotus did earn, this is the kind of show that's an embarrassment of acting riches where everyone is relegated to Supporting categories. But it's worth pointing out that Michelle Monaghan and Patrick Schwarzenegger were two of the core stars who did not get recognized by the TV Academy.
3. The Pitt's cast readily deserved more acting honors than the three that were announced. Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Shawn Hatosy were certainly deserving, but what about other standouts like Fiona Dourif or Tracy Ifeachor or Taylor Dearden? The list goes on.
4. Allison Janney should probably get an automatic Emmy nom anytime she stars in anything, and her work on The Diplomat did not prove to be an exception to that assumption.
5. Somewhat rare is the Outstanding Drama or Comedy series that doesn't earn nominations for any of its lead and supporting actors, while Star Wars Emmy noms are even rarer. But for all that Andor racked up a ton of below-the-line appreciation, the only two performers nominated are Alan Tudyk for Voiceover and Forest Whitaker for Guest Actor.
6. I guess I didn't really expect Yellowjackets to have a ton of sway with Season 3 nominees, but it still feels like a big middle finger to the horror genre.

The 6 Most Glaring Comedy TV Snubs From The 2025 Emmy Nominations

Now let's thumb our nose at the TV Academy voters whose actions led to the following comedy-centric snubs.

1. I get that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is like Emmy kryptonite and may have a lasting effect on its stars, but I don't understand how Kaitlin Olson missed out on a full trio of nominations. She definitely deserved it for heading up ABC's High Potential, she definitely deserved it for her emotional return to Hacks' fourth season, and she probably deserved it for guest-starring as Sweet Dee in Abbott Elementary's big crossover episode. Get your shit together, dawg.
2. After getting nominated in 2022, 2023 and 2024, Tyler James Williams missed out on his first Emmy nomination since Abbott Elementary began. To me, that’s shocking. One, because he’s remarkable as Gregory, and arguably gave one of his best performances in Season 4, as his relationship with Janine flourished. However, this also highlights a long-standing snub too, as Chris Perfetti was left out once again of the Supporting actor category. So, all around, it’s shocking and disappointing that the actors of Abbott didn’t get nominated. (Written by Riley Utley)
3. Let’s talk about a long-time Emmys oversight: The Righteous Gemstones. Across its four seasons, it has received ten nominations, but none for the major categories, which is a shame. The fourth and final season was remarkable, and while I’m thrilled it picked up six nominations, it should have gotten more. I wish Danny McBride, Bradley Cooper and the cast got nods for their performances. And it 100% should have been a frontrunner for Outstanding Comedy. However, it’s sadly never been a contender. (Written by Riley Utley)

4. I am very pleased that What We Do In The Shadows earned a nomination for Oustanding Comedy for its absolutely superb sixth and final season, but I'll never understand how this cast doesn't get more awards love. If you have Harvey Guillén hosting the nomination announcements, it sure would be nice if he was also listed among them. R.I.P. Guillermo's Emmy dreams.
5. Yes, I'll keep the horror bent going here by endlessly griping that Agatha All Along was completely shut out of any acting categories, while Kathryn Hahn did earn a nomination for her work on The Studio. Certainly well-deserved, but I know somebody put some kind of hex on this shit. Was it Wanda? So jealous.
6. How is Natasha Lyonne not an automatic lock for this category? She's this generation's vape-pluming Jessica Fletcher, and she deserves awards.

CinemaBlend's Laura Hurley Is Hyped For Matlock, Shocked By Pedro Pascal

Before dipping into another list of big snubs, let's turn back to the positive side for some good vibes from CinemaBlend's own Laura Hurley.

Once upon a time, Emmy nominations were full of network TV shows getting awards love, but that changed with the advent of premium cable and streaming dramas. I’m delighted to see that after Kathy Bates took the top prize for Best Actress as the 2025 Critics Choice Awards for her work in CBS’ Matlock, she has officially been nominated for Best Actress in a Drama at the 2025 Emmys. Not only is she the only star representing network TV in a Drama category, but she has made history as the oldest nominee for Best Actress at the age of 77. I’m rooting for network TV to get some love this year, and Kathy Bates has certainly delivered the kinds of performances as Matty Matlock to deserve an Emmy.

The Last of Us finally returned for Season 2 after two years of hiatus, but fans wouldn’t get another full batch of episodes with Pedro Pascal opposite Bella Ramsey. His character, Joel Miller, was killed off in just the second episode, and Pascal would ultimately only be credited with three of the season’s seven episodes. Don’t get me wrong – I cried when Joel was killed off despite thinking I’d pull through without any tears, but I was still surprised to see Pascal nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series. I’m not predicting that he’ll win up against stiff leading man competition, but I did a double take when I saw him nominated as a lead.

The 3 Most Glaring Limited/Unscripted TV Snubs From The 2025 Emmy Nominations

Now let's cap off our closer look at Emmy snubs with Limited Series and Unscripted categories.

1. I'm not sure what anyone is meant to glean from this, but the fact that both Late Night with Seth Myers and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Kimmel were left out of the Talk Show category's THREE nominations cannot mean great things.
2. Am I wrong for thinking LEGO Masters is still one of the most feel-good reality TV shows out there? Plus, Will Arnett is as great a host as it gets, and he'll be the first, second, and third to agree.
3. Anytime a mainstay nominee like The Voice goes without a nod, it's a shock. And one that leaves the door open for other shows to swoop in.

So don't forget to tune into CBS on Sunday, September 14, to catch the full 2025 Emmy Awards telecast, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Though HBO’s The White Lotus wrapped its most recent season back in the middle of February 2025, the well of rumors, feuds, and anecdotes clearly has not run dry just yet. As the 2025 TV schedule continues, cast members like Season 3’s Patrick Schwarzenegger have helped keep the Mike White-created dramedy in the public eye. Though as you’ll see in this story, another source of entertainment may give the show a run for its money in that department, as Schwarzenegger himself learned at an unexpected time.

During an interview for W Magazine, the Terminal List co-star described how his brush with prestige TV stardom has been treating him. When the conversation turned to how audiences seem to have taken a liking to his character Saxon from The White Lotus, Schwarzenegger offered this oddly hilarious form of tribute that a fan offered in the wild:

I’m sure even the most desensitized HBO Max subscription holders are stunned at this moment. You kind of have to wonder how the porn parody is going to even begin to address its source material, which we saw with The White Lotus’ Season 3 incest story. The porn parody’s full name is The Tight Lotus: A Gay XXX Parody.

Oh, that story about Arnold Schwarzenegger discovering Patrick’s White Lotus nude scenes could get even funnier if his father learns about this new development. But putting the potential comedic and salacious details aside, this has to be simultaneously the oddest but most fitting porn parody to have ever spoofed. And I say that despite knowing we live in a world where there’s still a very adult takeoff of the typically wholesome Bob’s Burgers in existence.

No matter where Patrick Schwarzenegger’s star may rise to next in his post-White Lotus career, the actor has clearly made it. Much like heartthrobs of the past like James Van Der Beek, this young actor now has another pop culture achievement to claim in his metaphorical trophy case. Meanwhile, you can stream all three seasons of The White Lotus through the power of an HBO Max subscription. Though you might watch what you drink a little more carefully as a result.

HBO is known for its hit TV content, and The White Lotus is definitely in that category. The dark comedy (which is streaming with a Max subscription) is water cooler talk, on top of being an Emmy-winning success. Season 3 had lots of viral moments, including Patrick Schwarzenegger's nudity. And he and his famous father Arnold Schwarzenegger had a hilarious exchange about that sequence in particular.

The Ratliff Brothers' incestuous plot line is perhaps what Season 3 is the most known for. That story was a slow burn, including some nudity by Schwarzenegger episodes before Saxon and Lochlan kissed. The father/son duo recently appeared on Variety's Actors on Actors series, where the Terminator icon hilariously revealed his reaction to Patrick's nude scenes.

This quote it pretty hilarious to read, but hearing Arnold Schwarzenegger say "I see the weenie" is even more delightful. While Patrick has gotten some flak online for being a "nepo baby", interviews between the pair of hulking actors might help to quell those voices. Because this content is A+.

A clip of this give and take quickly started circulating online, sharing the sweet chemistry between the two Schwarzeneggers. Eventually Patrick tweeted out a response, poking fun at this father's word choice. It reads:

Arnold, that's who! The word choice did strike me as funny, especially paired with the legendary actor's signature accent. But as the elder Schwarzenegger pointed out, he's no stranger to nudity himself. Case in point: both Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator franchise.

HBO shows are known for pushing the envelope when it comes to nudity, especially The White Lotus. And Patrick Schwarzenegger wasn't the only member of the main cast of Season 3 who was asked to drop trow. Jason Isaacs also had a nude scene, rocking a prosthetic penis for the sequence. There's just something about those Ratliffs that makes them want to go naked while on vacation.

Fans are already looking forward to Season 4 of The White Lotus, but it's not going to be part of the 2025 TV premiere list. And since Mike White is filming Survivor 50, I wonder if the wait between seasons will be longer. We'll just have to wait for more information, including which characters might return for another season like Tanya, Belinda, and Greg.

As wild as the drama got on The White Lotus Season 3 — which ended its run on the 2025 TV schedule in April — the whispers of behind-the-scenes happenings have arguably been even juicier. That includes a potential feud between Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood, which was exacerbated by their reactions to a Saturday Night Live bit that mocked the actress’ teeth. Wood slammed the sketch, and an insider is now revealing how her pals and co-stars responded.

“The White Potus” was a sketch that aired on the April 12 episode of SNL. Sarah Sherman appeared to portray Chelsea from The White Lotus (available to stream with a Max subscription) by donning prosthetic teeth that resembled Wood’s. The actress called it “mean and unfunny,” and according to Life&Style, many of her castmates agreed. A source said:

Rumors of tension between Wood and Goggins spread after the actors went from saying absolutely glowing things about each other to unfollowing each other on social media. Goggins refused to address it, but many read into his own response to the Saturday Night Live sketch, which he called “smashing,” commenting on the show’s Instagram, “Hahahahahhahaha Amazzzingggg.”

Goggins even went on to serve as a Saturday Night Live Season 50 host on May 10, but that was reportedly in the works before “The White Potus” sketch drama. It’s unknown what, if anything, has been said between him and his on-screen love (Goggins played Chelsea’s partner Rick), but the insider claims the support she received from other friends has helped. They said:

Even SNL cast members have reached out to the actress, with Sarah Sherman sending her flowers and saying she “never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings."

Aimee Lou Wood low-key stole The White Lotus Season 3, so it’s understandable that she got frustrated that people were more focused on her teeth than her performance. However, when paparazzi photographed the actress sobbing in South London days after the Saturday Night Live sketch aired, she denied that was the reason.

As for the supposed feud between her and Walton Goggins, the pair started following each other on Instagram again last month, and there are now rumors that they may be reuniting soon — if for no other reason, the Emmy campaign that The White Lotus stars will inevitably be involved in.

If you want to see the SNL sketch that upset Aimee Lou Wood and added fuel to the feud rumors, you can watch the April 12 episode or any other Saturday Night Live edition with a Peacock subscription.

The White Lotus Season 3 finale was mostly great, and despite a few small gripes regarding characters, I'd say most people are happy some of the wilder theories about the season didn't come to pass. There's one in particular that Aimee Lou Wood deemed the "weirdest" she'd heard, and yes, it involves the monkeys.

The actress spoke to EW about the wild theory surrounding a monkey being responsible for one of the biggest scenes in the season finale. For those who don't already know, I'll let her explain:

I'll admit, I was one of the few convinced this theory was true. We were getting a lot of shots of the monkeys, and that gun was getting passed around a lot.

That said, I ultimately settled on the theory that there was more than one shooter, which explained the sporadic amount of gunfire in the opening sequence. I'm not saying a monkey with a gun would've been a terrible twist, but I would say it'd certainly be not as good as what we ultimately got.

Typically, stars of shows can't say anything one way or another when it comes to spoilers. After all, confirming or denying even a false theory scratches one possibility off the list and leads fans closer to the actual answer before they see it on screen.

Of course, actors don't always play by the rules, and Aimee Lou Wood said one of her co-stars just had to shoot the monkey theory down after seeing it too much:

I think in this case, Michelle Monaghan didn't take that big of a risk dismissing the monkey theory. Even with that off the board, there was no way of predicting the twists and turns that would ultimately happen at the end. It might've kept people less occupied with all the Season 3 drama, which Jason Isaacs has since said he ultimately regrets bringing up.

Life goes on, of course, and there will be other shows on the 2025 TV schedule that will pull interest away from all of that. I must say, I think it's hilarious that while that theory didn't play out in The White Lotus, a service monkey with a gun became a vital part of the series finale of The Righteous Gemstones (which was airing in the time slot right after The White Lotus). Seriously, what are the odds of that happening, especially with the shows airing around the same time? It was a thing of beauty, and an underappreciated coincidence I felt was overlooked at the time.

Watch The White Lotus Season 3 on Max, but just don't pay too much attention to those scenes with all the monkeys. We still have some time to wait before Season 4, so now might be the perfect time for anyone looking to rewatch.

The White Lotus Season 3 was a great addition to the 2025 TV schedule, but it was also accompanied by controversy. The credits have long since rolled on the HBO season, and yet Walton Goggins' publicist had to end an interview not that long ago after an interviewer pressed him on questions about a supposed feud with co-star Aimee Lou Wood. That and more remain topics of public interest, and cast member Jason Isaacs has some regrets about the part he played in it.

Isaacs recently took part in a roundtable headed up by the L.A. Times and spoke about his work on The White Lotus. During the discussion, Isaacs recalled how a quote he gave during the Season 3 press tour diverted the conversation away from the show (which is available to stream with a Max subscription). The British actor tried to explain his comments and how he felt people took it and ran with it in a way he didn't expect:

Jason Isaacs made headlines more than a few times throughout this latest run of TWL episodes. He even made headlines for trolling Duke University and discussing other elements tied to his character. He even spoke to CinemaBlend alongside some of his fellow cast members about the allegedly isolating experience of filming in Thailand. When it comes to the role he played in the gossip, it seems that what's done is done. This situation is truly a testament to how comments can spread like wildfire across the internet.

While Isaacs might to talk about other things like Tim Ratliff's big monastery scene, drama sells, and fans may want to hear further details about what went down amid filming. While the Harry Potter alum has some regrets about sharing his sentiments in the first place, he did make another thing clear:

It seems like, overall, Jason Isaacs is glad he was in The White Lotus but wants to be honest that it wasn't all sunshine and roses behind the scenes. I can totally understand that and, based on his compliment for Mike White, it doesn't seem as though he's blaming the showrunner for anything that might've occurred on the set when they were filming.

Unfortunately, the fact that Isaacs even opened up about it now arguably isn't going to kill the conversation surrounding The White Lotus' supposed BTS drama. It's hard to say just how long there's going to be interest in the production of this third season. What can be surmised by Isaacs' comments, though, is that he's hoping the gossip doesn't ultimately drown out the work that was done.

As for me, I'm currently eager to see where The White Lotus heads for Season 4. Here's for hoping an absolutely unexpected location, and a drama-free filming process.

Poker Face Season 2 has finally hit Peacock, and while we’ve thus far only been treated to the first three episodes, they feature some A+ guest stars. Right off the bat, we have Cynthia Erivo playing a whopping five different characters, and that story is followed by Giancarlo Esposito and Katie Holmes sharing the stage. This is Holmes’ first live-action TV show appearance since 2017, and oh boy, it's a bonkers one. According to the showrunner, this was the intention, as he wanted to show a side of Katie Holmes we’ve “never seen from her before.”

The episode stars Katie Holmes as the wife of a funeral home owner/director who is fed up with her sheltered, conservative life of applying makeup to the deceased. Taken by the glitz and glamour of filmmaking as a movie is filmed on the mortuary's property, she starts to catch up on the social life she’s been deprived of with a childlike enthusiasm – and the odd contrast makes for a performance unlike anything we’ve ever seen from Holmes. I recently caught up with Season 2 showrunner Tony Tost to talk all things Poker Face, and when the subject of Katie Holmes came up, he told us that this was exactly the intention:

Katie Holmes rose to fame on TV’s Dawson’s Creek, and given that it doesn’t feel like the fabled revival is coming anytime soon, it’s fun to see her back on the small screen via streaming. As Tony Tost said, we haven’t seen her like this before, and it specifically reminded me of the hype surrounding Parker Posey in The White Lotus – a casting choice that has been lauded as “brilliant.” Tost agreed, saying,

As previously mentioned, Katie Holmes also stars alongside Giancarlo Esposito in the episode, who is magnificent as her cold, odd husband who presses his cremated clients into fresh vinyl records and other assorted items. As if Natasha Lyonne isn’t reason enough to tune into Poker Face, other major names making an appearance this season include John Mulaney, Sam Richardson, Rhea Perlman, Simon Rex, and Kumail Nanjiani (who has been making a lot of smaller TV show appearances these days, having recently appeared in seven episodes of Only Murders In The Building).

Guest stars aside, Poker Face Season 2 is one of the more exciting things to hit the 2025 TV schedule. Critics are calling the new season “more ridiculous fun,” and you can watch it right now with a Peacock subscription.

The White Lotus was one of the viral hits on the 2025 TV schedule, and after it ended, Saturday Night Live’s parody of it has made waves. In the sketch, Sarah Sherman impersonated Aimee Lou Wood, and afterward, Wood reacted to it, calling the sketch “mean and unfunny.” Now, the comedian has opened up about everything that happened after the controversial SNL sketch aired and shared her thoughts on the actress’s reaction.

In the weeks since The White Lotus sketch, “The White Potus,” aired, many have commented on it, including current SNL cast members (more on that later). Now, the comedian who played Wood has been asked about it. During an interview with Vanity Fair, Sarah Sherman reflected on impersonating the Sex Education star, and the discourse that followed, explaining that she didn’t want to make anyone “feel bad:”

Now, it’s been reported that Saturday Night Live didn’t apologize to Wood directly. However, it was alleged that someone who works on the show did reach out to her. Along with that, the White Lotus actress confirmed Sherman sent her flowers after she called the sketch out.

In the weeks since, a few cast members have also commented on what happened and how Wood reacted. In terms of folks who were also in this White Lotus sketch, Chloe Fineman responded to the criticism by saying they make “stuff with love,” and both she and Sherman “worship” Amiee Lou Wood.

Before that, Bowen Yang shared his thoughts on Wood’s reaction, calling it “completely valid.” He also said this situation was a reminder that “parody can go too far sometimes” and “comedians can take account for that.”

To that point, Sherman was also asked about working on SNL and if she needs to consider the fact that she could be “upsetting people” more. In response, she said:

In the weeks since the sketch aired, Aimee Lou Wood has been asked about appearing on the NBC mainstay. This happened at the Met Gala right before her co-star Walton Goggins hosted an episode of SNL 50. While she said she likely wouldn’t appear in his episode, the door was not closed in terms of future appearances. In fact, she said, being on the sketch comedy show “would be fun.”

Overall, it would seem Aimee Lou Wood is cool with SNL, and Sarah Sherman made it very clear that she thinks the actress is “iconic” and had no intention of hurting her with her impersonation. Now, maybe someday, the two can share the stage in Studio 8H, since Wood made it clear she wouldn’t be opposed to coming on the show.

Aimee Lou Wood made quite a splash during the third season of The White Lotus (which is available to stream with a Max subscription). While Wood was dubbed a scene stealer for her role as the free-spirited Chelsea, she’s been making headlines for other reasons as of late. One of those situations involved her being lampooned on SNL, and Wood didn’t hold back her disappointment with the segment. Now, the star is weighing in on whether she’d actually host the show after that debacle, and Lorne Michaels may want to take notice.

The latest star on the list of upcoming Saturday Night Live hosts is ironically Walton Goggins, who plays Wood’s partner on the HBO dramedy. While the starlet attended this year’s Met Gala (with fellow co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger in tow), she was asked about possibly making a cameo during Goggins’ upcoming episode. Faced with that question from ET, Wood gave a short, but direct, response:

Such a reunion would’ve been massive, considering the rumors that have swirled around the two former co-stars as of late. It’s been alleged that there's a Wood/Goggins feud, due to the fact that the stars didn’t participate in press together and don’t follow each other on Instagram. Goggins also declined to answer questions about the state of his relationship with Wood. He was also at the Met Gala on Monday, and Wood told Access Hollywood that she looked forward to seeing him that night in the hopes of having a “debrief” of sorts.

That supposed drama aside, there’s also the matter of whether the Sex Education alum would appear on Saturday Night Live in general. Fans may be pleased to know that she was quite enthusiastic on that front:

OK, you hear that, Lorne Michaels? The super producer may want to consider this for a few reasons. First off, Aimee Lou Wood’s celebrity status is gradually rising, and it would certainly make sense to have a talented rising star host SNL. Wood also has the comedic chops and could certainly help pull off some funny sketches. Additionally, such a development could ultimately help put any commentary on the parody sketch to rest.

Weeks ago, Saturday Night Live debuted the pre-recorded sketch “The White Potus,” which flipped the script on the show by depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and other public figures as guests at a resort. During the sketch, cast member Sarah Sherman played a version of Chelsea and wore exaggerated false teeth while playing the role. When Wood initially reacted to the sketch, she said she’d been offered apologies (though they didn’t officially come from SNL. As for how she views the drama now, Wood told ET:

The entire situation did indeed gain a lot of attention. Even SNL cast member Bowen Yang weighed in, saying that Aimee Lou Wood’s response was “completely valid. Also, his co-star, Chloe Fineman, said that the sketch was “made with love” and there was no ill will intended. All of that aside, it seems Wood is ready to let bygones be bygones and is open to appearing on Saturday Night Live. While she may not be popping into Walton Goggins’ episode, let’s hope she takes on the hosting reins at some point in the near future.

The drama on screen at The White Lotus came to a close a few weeks ago on the 2025 TV schedule. However, in real life, there’s been quite a bit of tension surrounding some of the cast. Specifically, after Saturday Night Live parodied the series, Aimee Lou Wood called the show out, saying the sketch was “mean and unfunny.” Then, Bowen Yang responded to her reaction. Now, another SNL cast member, Chloe Fineman, has shared her thoughts on everything that happened.

For context, during the episode of SNL 50 hosted by Jon Hamm, there was a sketch called “The White Potus.” In it, Sarah Sherman impersonated Aimee Lou Wood, who played Chelsea in the latest season of the HBO hit. The comedian wore a pair of fake teeth in the sketch, and in the past, Wood has talked about how she does not like how often her teeth are discussed. She went on to say that it’s fine for SNL to poke fun; however, if it’s done, it should be “cleverer, more nuanced” and “less cheap.”

In response, Bowen Yang called Wood’s criticism “completely valid.” Then, Chloe Fineman was asked about it by ET, and she said:

In the sketch, which was a take on The White Lotus if Donald Trump were there, Fineman did her take on Parker Posey’s Southern character. Meanwhile, Sarah Sherman was impersonating Aimee Lou Wood while wearing fake teeth and talking to Jon Hamm’s RJK Jr. about teeth and fluoride.

Following Wood’s reaction to all this, Sarah Sherman sent her flowers as reports went around that SNL itself hadn’t formally apologized to her. After that, Yang was asked about the sketch, and he validated the Sex Education actress’s feelings, saying:

Now, Fineman has added her response to the mix. As she said, she didn’t write the sketch. She also noted that both she and Sherman “worship” Wood. She clarified that the sketch was made “with love,” and noted that they’ve “moved on.”

Moving forward, it’s possible that the discourse surrounding SNL and The White Lotus could grow as Walton Goggins, who is rumored to be in a feud with Wood after starring in the HBO series together, is set to host on May 10. However, at the moment, it would seem everyone is simply moving forward from this sketch that caused quite the stir.

To go back and watch everything involved in this ongoing situation, you can stream The White Lotus with a Max subscription and SNL with a Peacock subscription. Also, new episodes of the sketch comedy show air on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In the meantime, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on the news surrounding Aimee Lou Wood and this sketch about her show that went viral.

If you thought The White Lotus’ third-season run on the 2025 TV schedule was rife with drama from the “brotherly love” storyline or toxic female friend group, just wait until you start digging into what happened behind the scenes. Rumors have spread over the past few weeks of a feud between Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood, who played lovers Rick and Chelsea. Things really went downhill for a reporter who repeatedly asked Goggins about it, leading his publicist to end the interview.

Walton Goggins sat down recently with Ed Potton of The Times UK to talk about (among other things) his starring role in The Uninvited, which his wife Nadia Conners directed. When the reporter mentioned how Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood had gone from saying glowing things to and about each other on social media to now not following each other, the Fallout star shut him down, saying:

Two different publicists reportedly echoed Walton Goggins’ sentiment and asked the journalist to move on. They covered what sounds like some tough material, including whether parts of the couple’s relationship in The Uninvited echoed his own marriage and Goggins speaking a bit about his first wife, who died by suicide.

The actor said he had gone to Thailand to recover from that tragedy. So, those emotions were there when he returned to the country for The White Lotus, as Rick had “a story that was different but not so dissimilar from my own.”

Emotions may have been running high when Ed Potton asked about Walton Goggins’ upcoming SNL gig, because the actor also refused to talk about that, possibly because he saw that road leading back to Aimee Lou Wood. Many have linked their feud back to the Saturday Night Live sketch that made fun of Wood’s teeth, which Goggins initially called "smashing" on social media but deleted the comment after the actress called the sketch “mean and unfunny.”

Either way, a publicist tried to steer the interview back to The Uninvited, with Walton Goggins making a sarcastic comment about how obvious that was the topic Ed Potton was “least interested in.” The reporter said he chose to ask about Aimee Lou Wood again anyway, only to be cut off by Goggins, who said:

The Times UK employee tried yet again — a “last forlorn attempt,” he said — and Walton Goggins responded:

At that point the publicist had heard enough and informed the reporter:

As much as everyone wants to know exactly what went down between him and his White Lotus co-star, neither of them seems to be airing out any of their dirty laundry. Goggins made that clear early on in this interview that it was a subject he had no intention of talking about.

We’ll have to see what happens when the actor hosts Saturday Night Live at 11:30 p.m. ET on May 10 on NBC and streaming with a Peacock subscription. In the meantime, you can relive Rick and Chelsea’s tragic tale on The White Lotus Season 3 with a Max subscription.

HBO is known or its wildly popular TV shows, and Mike White's The White Lotus is one recent example. The dark comedy, which is streaming with a Max subscription, recently ended its third season, with fans having a strong reaction to the finale. The Season 3 White Lotus cast brought back Natasha Rothwell, who got honest about Belinda's fate at the end of the story.

While latecomers figure out how to watch The White Lotus Season 3, hardcore fans like myself are still dissecting and discussing the way it ended. In it we saw Belinda get her happy ending with Greg's money, with both she and her son Zion surviving the shooting in the Thailand resort. Some fans were bummed that she abandoned plans to work with Pornchai, but Rothwell spoke to People and stood up for her character. In the actress' words:

Honestly, good for her. While Belinda might have enjoyed her tryst with Pornchai, it's probably for the best that she put herself first. That includes getting out of Thailand with Greg's money and finally starting her own business in the states. But that also meant that she had to reject Pornchai, both personally and professionally.

The Season 3 White Lotus finale saw Belinda in some ways mirror what Tanya did to her in Season 1. After getting Pornchai's hopes up that they might open a clinic together in Thailand, she ultimately went with a more enticing option. Namely $5 million dollars, which is a world-changing amount of hush money.

Fans are wondering how Belinda might change with this money, and Natasha Rothwell addressed whether or not she might become a bad person. In her words:

Consequences don't seem totally out of the question, as we already know that Greg is shady and capable of arranging Tanya's murder. I have to assume that he'd be able to track down Belinda in the states. What's more, she could still end up. being a witness for Italian police who are trying to figure out how Jennifer Coolidge's heiress died. While speaking with People, Rothwell mused about her character's future might hold:

It seems unlikely that Belinda would logistically return to another White Lotus location in order to appear in a future season, so we might not ever see Rothwell back in the Emmy-winning series.

All three season of The White Lotus are streaming now on Max. Hopefully information about the next chapter comes sooner rather than later.

Fame is a strange thing. While some actors seem to become famous instantly, and many never reach a level of true “celebrity,” there are others who, after years of working and going largely unnoticed, finally break through to becoming household names. One actor who is currently experiencing fame on a whole new level is Walton Goggins.

Walton Goggins has been riding pretty high of late, but recently, with his role as the Ghoul in the massive Prime Video hit Fallout, followed by turns on The White Lotus and a final season of The Righteous Gemstones, Goggins is clearly riding quite high. Speaking with the Observer, it seems even he can’t believe he got to be part of The White Lotus. He said…

Goggins says he’s trying to “honor the moment, and not let his new found celebrity change him. On the plus side, it seems the actor has somebody he can talk to about his new position in Hollywood. Goggins says The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal, who has also seen his career transform over the last couple of years, is somebody he might confide in. Goggins explained…

One imagines Walton Goggins may have a lot of friends from outside Hollywood, who simply can’t relate to his recent experience. Even if he has other friends who are actors, many of them probably haven’t had a similar experience.

Pedro Pascal would be one man who absolutely understands what’s going on. Like Walton Goggins, the last couple of years have seen Pascal transform from “popular character actor” to “bona fide movie star” thanks to everything from The Mandalorian to The Last of Us and his role in the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps. Pascal has spoken about the times he was broke and nearly gave up on acting. One can only imagine the sort of conversations these friends could have as they look back on the path their careers have taken.

Of course, now we all know what this means. We need a movie or TV series starring two good friends, and major stars, Walton Goggins and Pedro Pascal. The fans would go crazy, the two friends would love to work together. Even if it's just a quick video of Mando and Boyd Crowder in a duel.

We’re winding down on this current phase of the 2025 TV schedule, and finale season has us all looking forward to the upcoming Saturday Night Live hosts doing their part to close out this milestone system. Part of the final trio of hosts in this year’s lineup is none other than Walton Goggins, and considering the drama that’s surrounded his season of The White Lotus, some have alleged that this decision was a slight against co-star Aimee Lou Wood. That doesn’t look to be the case though, with a reportedly less controversial angle being presented as “the truth.”

Walton Goggins’ SNL Casting Has Allegedly Been In The Works For Some Time

The latest scuttlebutt on the rumored Goggins/Wood feud comes from TMZ, which dug into the matter a little deeper. Per their “sources with direct knowledge” of what’s going on, The Righteous Gemstones actor has been in talks with NBC’s landmark sketch comedy show “long before his name was announced.” Which would make sense, as considering the Fallout actor may also be juggling his commitment to that Prime Video super hit’s second season in production, his schedule is probably booked up.

So to dedicate a week to Saturday Night Live’s rigorous schedule isn’t exactly as simple as hopping a flight to New York. But even with that logic in play, some are bound to continue digging for drama worthy of a Peacock subscription, due to SNL’s recent run in with The White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood.

Why Fans Are Seeing Walton Goggins’ SNL Hosting Gig As A Slight Against Aimee Lou Wood

As if it wasn’t bad enough that rumors of Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood’s feud from The White Lotus Season 3 continue to persist, so does the memory of Saturday Night Live’s now infamous “The White POTUS” sketch. That sketch appeared to take cheap shots at the actor’s recent insecurities with how the media was covering her teeth, and while Wood claimed she received apologies, a later update alleged that SNL did not formally apologize to Sex Education alum.

While we don’t necessarily know the truth surrounding this supposed mending of fences, it appears that cast member Sarah Sherman - the actor who played Aimee Lou Wood’s would-be fictional surrogate - may have been the person who reached out.

It makes sense considering Saturday Night Live’s position on declaring open season on any notable personality or subject that exists in pop culture. However, that doesn’t necessarily translate to the viewing public’s understanding on the matter.

As it stands, it appears that Walton Goggins’ upcoming SNL gig is something that’s been in process for some time. The fact that it happened to be announced at this moment, where supposedly extenuating circumstances color it as a supposed slight, is purely coincidental.

Of course, now everyone’s going to be paying extra special attention to that May 10th episode, wondering if some sort of further comedic comment will be made on behalf of either the sketch or the alleged White Lotus feud. If you’re looking to see it as it happens, Saturday Night Live airs on NBC at 11:35 PM ET, with livestreaming and next-day episode drops going to Peacock.

A year ago at this time, The White Lotus Season 3 was going full steam towards its wild conclusion, and this week (March 2026) we've got some great new casting news for Season 4. The show is one of our favorites and a main reason to have an HBO Max subscription. As always, Miike White (the show's creator and creative force) has cast a bunch of great actors for the upcoming season. Here's everything we know about the upcoming season.

What Is The White Lotus Season 4 Premiere Date?

There is still no set premiere date for The White Lotus Season 4, as of February 2026. While there was only a 14-month break between Seasons 1 and 2, the break between Season 2 and Season 3 was 26 months (the Hollywood strikes certainly affected that). It's almost certainly going to be a break closer to that second break than the gap between the first two seasons.

We’d love to say that we’ll see Season 4 on the 2026 TV schedule at some point. We’re all hoping it isn’t 26 months, which would push it out to spring 2027, but that is looking most likely. According to a Variety report in January 2026, filming is expected to begin in late April 2026 and run until October, which points to spring 2027 at the earliest.

Season 4 Will Take Place In France

We know where Season 4 of The White Lotus will take place, and it's returning to Europe, but not Italy, as with Season 2. As I predicted (using some educated guesses), the show will be set in France (though, to be fair, I was wrong about the hotel). THR reported in November 2025 that HBO's CEO, Casey Bloys. confirmed the country.

In January '26. THR reported that one of the Riviera location with be filmed in Saint-Tropez at the Château de la Messardière. This is notable because for the first time, The White Lotus will not be filmed at a Four Seasons resort, as all three previous seasons were (Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand, respectively). The article also mentioned "multiple locations in France," and it will be somewhere in Paris, as well.

Mike White has pointed out that he wants to explore the story beyond the beach:

Paris is always beautiful to see on TV, so I don't have any complaints there, either!

The White Lotus Season 4 Cast

In late 2025 and early 2026, the casting got underway for Season 4, and we finally have some great news to report here, as once again, White and his crew are stacking the cast with well-known actors. The first casting announcement came in December 2025 as the show welcomed Alexander Ludwig and AJ Michalka. In January 2026, Helena Bonham Carter and Steve Coogan led the next announcement. The third came in February and included Sandra Bernhard and Ari Graynor. Most recently, in March 2026, a fourth announcement included more cast members.

Here's who we know so far:

• Helena Bonham Carter
• Steve Coogan
• Kumail Nanjiani
• Sandra Bernhard
• Alexander Ludwig
• AJ Michalka
• Vincent Cassel
• Chloe Bennet
• Ari Graynor
• Caleb Jonte Edwards
• Marissa Long
• Chris Messina
• Corentin Fila
• Nadia Tereszkiewicz
• Max Greenfield
• Charlie Hall
• Jarrad Paul

The series has delivered time and time again with its casting. The White Lotus Season 1 cast was filled to the brim with stars like Sydney Sweeney, Alexandra Daddario, Jennifer Coolidge, and many more. The White Lotus Season 2 cast also held plenty of great additions, like Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, and others.

Season 3 featured a completely stacked cast that included Parker Posey, Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Aimee Lou Wood, Lisa, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaacs, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and more.

The show has had returning characters in the past, like Greg/Gary and Belinda, so it's reasonable to wonder if we'll have any for Season 4. We don't know if Jon Gries (Greg Hunt/"Gary") and Natasha Rothwell (Brenda) will return after their appearances in earlier seasons. The most likely, it seems, would be Gries as Greg, as he's been in all three of the previous seasons, and possibly his girlfriend in Season 3, Chloe, played by French-Canadian actor (and Paris resident) Charlotte Le Bon.

What Is The White Lotus Season 4 Going To Be About?

There is not much out there about Season 4 of The White Lotus just yet, and HBO has historically been very mum on many details, which is how we expect this season to be, also. There were previous rumors of an "All-Star" season for Season 4, but with the recent casting announcements, it seems that rumor has been well and truly squashed.

While revealing that the show would be filmed in France, Bloyes also told THR that Mike White (who is also set to appear as a tribe member on Survivor Season 50) was still writing the season, and there hasn't been much news since. Frankly, I'd prefer to know nothing about the plot before the show begins, but I'll still be sure to report anything we find out here.

The few things we can be sure of is there will be a murder (or murders) and that everyone in the cast will be suspects. How White and Co. switch things up is what we can't wait for. The formula for the show is perfect, so we want to see things mixed up too much, but adding a second location and taking it away from the beach (at least for some of the Season) will be a welcome change.

We'll be sure to keep this story updated as we get more information!

Walton Goggins has been a go-to character actor for many years now, but it’s only with his most recent roles that the highly talented actor has achieved global stardom and ascended to the level of sex symbol. (Not that he would so readily agree with his thirst fanbase.) It’s an impressive feat for someone whose characters aren’t often go-to sex symbols themselves, and who are more likely to keep their clothes on than strip them off. (Unfortunately for fans, his full-frontal moment on Righteous Gemstones involved a body double.)

As such, Goggins hasn’t often faced on-camera situations where he’s needed to disrobe for the sake of a scene. But perhaps if he was ever asked to film his own autobiography, there’s one particular part of his day where the Justified vet can be expected to show up in the nude. No, not in the shower, though I suppose that also counts. Rather, in his backyard. As he put it to Daily Mail’s You:

If anyone out there had any inclination to try and sell a house to Walton Goggins in the near future, the only right move is to make sure there's a big, beautiful backyard that's worthy of housing Goggins' nude body. Privacy is probably a good option to include as well, though he doesn't speak to that idea so much.

Because the idea isn't about other people at all, but rather the White Lotus star's personal comfort. Knowing that others could easily read into his behavior as being charged in some way, Goggins explained:

No word on exactly how carefully Goggins likes to drink his coffee, but one can assume that he's not a butterfingers when it comes to coffee mugs. Otherwise, one's penchant for morning nudity would likely give way to wearing protective genital coverings.

But even though it's known that more and more women are jumping on the Walton Goggins bandwagon with each new project he heads up, his wife Nadia Conners isn't taking offense at the waves of newfound attention, even if she's not 100% comfortable with all of it. Here's how she thinks of it:

While most of the stories shared by Goggins' co-stars are of a positive nature, rumors have persisted regarding an on-set feud with co-star Aimee Lou Wood, who portrayed the doting girlfriend of his emotionally stunted character Rick. Fans will be paying close attention to how the two actors behave around each other during White Lotus' FYC awards promotions down the line.

Walton Goggins is now all finished with The White Lotus after that hectic and tragic Season 3 finale, and his years as Uncle Baby Billy will soon conclude as The Righteous Gemstones wraps after a four-season run. It's unclear if he'll pop up again elsewhere on the 2025 TV schedule, but fans can definitely anticipate his return as The Ghoul in Season 2 of Prime Video's Fallout.

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t watched The White Lotus Season 3 finale, you can stream it with your Max subscription.

It’s been over two weeks since The White Lotus Season 3 finale aired on the 2025 TV schedule, and people can’t stop talking about the HBO series. Part of the reason is what’s happened behind the camera — Aimee Lou Wood clapping back after that SNL impression, Jason Isaacs sticking it to Duke and rumors of feuding amongst the cast, for example. Wood is believed to be at odds with Walton Goggins, but it seems they’ll be forced to reunite soon.

Why Walton Goggins And Aimee Lou Wood Will ‘Have To Be In The Same Room’

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood played tragic lovers Rick and Chelsea on The White Lotus, and while Chelsea stuck with Rick until the end, fans have picked up on clues that there’s some distance between the two in real life. That’s likely about to change, as CNN entertainment correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister visited The Viall Files and said she’d been told there is “something on the books” that would reunite the stars. Wagmeister said:

However, attending a work event together doesn’t necessarily mean the feud rumors are false, as she said “work is work.” As the CNN correspondent pointed out:

She compared it to Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s drama, saying any tension between Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood isn’t at that level, because the It Ends with Us stars couldn’t be in the same room to do press for their movie.

Why People Think The White Lotus Co-Stars Are Feuding

So what started all these feud rumors anyway? Jason Isaacs teased plenty of behind-the-scenes happenings when he spoke to The Guardian in February. He didn’t mention names, but he certainly got fans reading into every cast interaction when he said:

Fans were also quick to pick up on the fact that Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins don’t follow each other on Instagram, despite the glowing things they’ve said about each other in interviews. When Goggins posted an emotional tribute to Rick and Chelsea following The White Lotus season finale, thanking many of his co-stars, including Wood, he didn’t tag his on-screen love, even though he wrote:

Some think the Fallout star even blocked Aimee Lou Wood, because her comments are no longer visible on his posts, but his can still be seen on hers.

Another indication that the actors’ off-screen relationship may be bumpy is that Walton Goggins skipped a viewing party in L.A. that many of the cast members attended. He also praised Saturday Night Live’s “The White Potus” sketch that mocked Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth, calling it “smashing” on Instagram Stories.

Lots of little things certainly seem to be adding up — including the actors’ silence on the supposed feud — but if this rumored work engagement actually does come to fruition, there are definitely going to be a lot of eyes on this reunion.

When it comes to specific channels on television, there is but one that has produced television shows that have genuinely taken the world by storm and got people talking for years on end. And that, my friends, is HBO. The premium channel – known as “Home Box Office” – has created some of the biggest shows of the last thirty years or so. And here are some that truly got the world talking.

Game of Thrones

You knew Game of Thrones would be on here somehow. The series, based on the novel series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin, was the biggest show for years on HBO, with several huge Game of Thrones shocking moments and a Game of Thrones cast that exploded onto the scene and became household names. It’s one of the best shows of the last decade.

Westworld

Running for three seasons, Westworld was a sci-fi western based on the novel of the same name. It was a huge show when it first came out. The Westworld cast was large and impressive, and the story took so many twists and turns that it was almost hard to keep up with it.

The White Lotus

Did you ever think a series about guests at a five-star hotel resort would become the phenomenon that it’s become? Because I sure didn’t. The White Lotus, which began as a limited series, has run for three seasons so far and has captured the hearts and attention of viewers worldwide, with views growing steadily with each new season.

Insecure

Created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, Insecure is the kind of comedy-drama that everyone needs to see. With five seasons total, the series followed two young Black women who are navigating their twenties and just trying to survive everyday life. It’s hilarious, won several awards, and was popular for all the right reasons.

True Detective

With a new cast each season and a new mystery to solve, True Detective kept coming back with even better stories and excellent acting. From the lands of California to the snow landscape of Alaska, this series finds new ways to surprise its audience each time, making viewers return for more whenever a new season is confirmed.

The Last of Us

Based on the video game franchise of the same name, The Last of Us ended up becoming one of the biggest shows on the channel, as well as on Max, the streaming platform for HBO. The series follows the life of Joel, a smuggler in the apocalypse, and Ellie, a girl who is immune to the virus. They journey across the United States, where her immunity might be the cure to this whole thing. The series is beloved by most, and is one of the best video game adaptations out there.

Deadwood

Considered one of the best Western shows, Deadwood is the series to watch if you want a good, classic crime drama with some of the best acting. Featuring an all-star cast with so much to love, the show was so popular that it spawned a movie after it ended, which also premiered on HBO.

Euphoria

While there have been years between seasons of this show, there’s no denying that Euphoria is one of those series where, when it premieres, the world stops to watch. Starring an impressive Euphoria cast led by Zendaya, the dark teen drama altered pop culture when it premiered and has remained iconic years later.

Big Little Lies

Based on the novel of the same name, Big Little Lies is a mystery and dark comedy in which you never truly know who to trust. With two seasons and cast members who are mega-stars like Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and more at the helm, this series got people talking and more.

House Of The Dragon

While the Game of Thrones universe has continued to expand, the first series that came out after the main show concluded was House of the Dragon, based on the novel Fire and Blood. With more dragons than ever before, a civil war that has fans on the edge of their seats, and acting that takes your breath away, this series was primed to become one of the biggest shows out there the moment it premiered.

Six Feet Under

For five seasons, one of the biggest shows on HBO was Six Feet Under, a series that followed the lives of a family who ran a funeral parlor. I know, at first, that kind of premise sounds like it wouldn’t mean much entertainment, but this was a very well-received series and one that fans absolutely loved.

The Wire

Whenever anyone thinks of an HBO show, one of the first that comes to mind is always this one. The Wire was a crime drama set in Baltimore and told a different storyline each season about a new institution of the city, from drugs to the lack of education in the city. It’s extremely well-told.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

There are some comedies out there that become huge, and then there’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, a show that ran for twelve seasons, 120 episodes, and continued to remain critically praised for years. Fans could not get enough of Larry David in the lead role and the hilarity of the story that his fictional self would get into in this iconic HBO series.

Mildred Pierce

A miniseries on HBO, Mildred Pierce, is based on a book by the same name and stars Kate Winslet. Through five episodes, we watch a divorcee of the Great Depression trying to find herself again and establish a business within the restaurant industry while also dealing with her problems. The miniseries was a massive hit for HBO and earned several Emmy nominations – and a couple of wins.

Big Love

Running for five seasons, Big Love was a drama that took the world by storm. It followed the story of a Mormon man and his three wives who lived in modern-day Utah. The series was another huge hit for the channel and earned several major awards during its run.

The Sopranos

I mean, obviously, I have to include The Sopranos. I feel like The Sopranos is as synonymous with HBO as Game of Thrones is. The series made the channel huge and won many awards. The Sopranos cast is filled to the brim with incredible talent, and even now, years later, it has a long-lasting legacy.

Girls

Created by Lena Dunham, Girls was a comedy-drama that aired over six seasons and followed the lives of four women living in modern-day New York City. It had some hilarious storylines but wasn’t afraid to dive deeper into modern themes and darker subjects, which made the show such a hit.

Chernobyl

When I think of some of the best miniseries on HBO, Chernobyl is one that comes up every time. The series tells the true story of the Chernobyl disaster and was critically praised for its acting, accuracy, and fantastic cinematography. Once you watch Chernobyl, you’ll never return to who you were before.

Veep

I could go on and on for hours about Veep and how amazing it was. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the Veep cast was hilarious. It told the story of a U.S. vice president and how she tried to deal with the modern-day politics of America while also working with an idiotic president next to her. It’s hysterical in every way, shape and form.

Watchmen

Based on the same comic series, Watchmen is an HBO miniseries that truly redefines the superhero drama of television. It tells bold and dark tales of a world of crime and justice. It also has an incredible cast that only cemented its legacy on HBO. I always wished there was a Season 2, but I’m content with it running for the one miniseries we got.

Barry

For four seasons, Barry was the best dark comedy on the channel – and later, it really turned into more of a drama than anything else. The series, starring Bill Hader as the lead of the spectacular Barry cast, tells the story of a hitman who finds some purpose in acting in L.A. and begins to question his life. The show takes twists and turns you would never expect.

Mare Of Easttown

This miniseries, Starring Kate Winslet, was a huge hit for HBO. With seven episodes, it tells the story of a detective who investigates a murder in a small town outside of Philadelphia while also dealing with her own personal life. The series won several Emmy Awards and was talked about for weeks.

The Leftovers

The Leftovers ran for three seasons, but it cemented itself on HBO’s roster the moment it did, and people still talk about it today. The series follows the lives of people on Earth who were left behind when 2% of the entire population of the world vanished. Now, it’s up to the leftovers to survive.

The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones is one of those series that has a cast that is too good to be true. The show stars Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, John Goodman, Walton Goggins, and so many other major stars – and what makes it better is that it’s so funny. With four seasons, the series follows a family of televangelists and their personal lives, and it’s just as hysterical as you can imagine it would be.

Band Of Brothers

The miniseries Band of Brothers was based on the novel of the same name and is a war drama that was praised for its impressive Band of Brothers cast, as well as how realistic the series was. The show was so popular that it spawned two spinoff shows years later – The Pacific and Masters of the Air.

Succession

Oh, you knew this show would be on here somehow. Succession was a huge HBO show that followed the story of a family fighting for control over their father’s media conglomerate when his health was put into question. The series was praised for its acting, from the incredible Succession cast, as well as its storyline that anyone could get into.

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

While it’s not a scripted series like many of the others on this list, this talk show has become a massive hit for HBO and has won several Emmys throughout the years. Starring John Oliver, the talk show covers what has happened in the world in a funny way, mostly regarding politics, and always features clips that end up becoming huge on social media.

Silicon Valley

Running for six seasons, Silicon Valley is a comedy series that is exactly what you expect it to be—a series about tech bros in the iconic Silicon Valley of California and the struggles of working there. The series earned plenty of award nominations during its run, including Emmys, and was a major hit.

Oz

If you’re looking for a prison drama, then Oz is one that you have to check out, and it became a huge deal for HBO. The series follows the lives of prisoners and guards and everyone else involved in a maximum security prison, with enough drama to last a lifetime that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I May Destroy You

This single-series show took the world by storm. I May Destroy You is a black comedy about a young writer who is trying to rebuild who she is and her life after suffering a horrible sexual assault. The show was nominated for many awards and was a significant success for the channel.

Sharp Objects

Starring Amy Adams and based on the novel of the same name, Sharp Objects is about a reporter who is covering the murder of two girls and has to return to her hometown. Her hometown is filled with memories of her past that haunt her to this day. The miniseries was an award-winner and earned several acting nominations.

Mr. Show With Bob And David

While it’s one of the oldest shows on this list, Mr. Show with Bob and David was what kickstarted the careers of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. The series was a sketch comedy that ran for four seasons with hilarious bits and moments that really cemented the two lead stars in the world of comedy.

There are so many other great HBO shows that people loved, but these are just a few of the ones that I enjoy watching every time I get the chance. If you haven’t checked them out, you need to now!

Aimee Lou Wood absolutely crushed it on The White Lotus’ third season, as her adoring Chelsea stole the show even amidst crazy storylines like the incestuous Ratliff brothers and the too-real female friendship. So it must be frustrating for Wood that her teeth keep coming up in conversation. The situation came to a head last weekend when the actress took issue with Saturday Night Live’s parody of her, and cast member Bowen Yang said Wood’s reaction was “completely valid.”

Chelsea’s story on The White Lotus (which can be streamed with a Max subscription) ended tragically, as both she and boyfriend Rick (Walton Goggins) were killed in a shootout at the titular resort. But much of the talk about her performance has been overshadowed by comments about her teeth. In “The White Potus” sketch that aired April 12 on the 2025 TV schedule, Sarah Sherman wore fake teeth in an apparent portrayal of Chelsea, which Aimee Lou Wood called “mean and unfunny.”

Bowen Yang understood the reaction, telling Extra:

In trying to produce relevant sketches for SNL Season 50 host Jon Hamm, it seems the writers at Saturday Night Live forgot to consider that it was a real person’s physical appearance they were making a joke about, not just a fictional character on TV.

Aimee Lou Wood had made it clear she was over talking about her teeth, and Bowen Yang said the situation served as a reminder for the SNL writers to consider the impact of their jokes. In Yang’s words:

In the days that followed, Aimee Lou Wood was seen sobbing in South London, with many jumping to the conclusion that she was upset about her SNL portrayal. However, she clarified that her woes were “completely unrelated” to the NBC sketch show drama. You can see “The White Potus" sketch below:

The actress also suggested on social media that she’d received “apologies from SNL,” but it turns out the apology was not made in an official capacity on behalf of Saturday Night Live, but rather was a personal gesture from someone she knows on the show. That might have been Sarah Sherman herself, who did send Aimee Lou Wood flowers in the aftermath of the sketch, as the actress showed them off on social media.

We’ll have to see if this is where the drama between The White Lotus actress and Saturday Night Live ends, or if the writers will bring it up in some capacity in upcoming episodes. SNL returns at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, on NBC and streaming with a Peacock subscription. Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson is making her long-awaited return as host, with Benson Boone serving as musical guest.

Amid the 2025 TV schedule, one of the moments that’s brought Saturday Night Live to the forefront is its parody of The White Lotus. What's specifically drawn attention is a portrayal of actor Aimee Lou Wood’s Season 3 character, which led to the actress being offended. The story around the matter now continues to develop in some interesting ways. The latest chapter in this saga relates to Wood’s claim of an SNL apology, which apparently isn’t as cut and dry as previously assumed.

Aimee Lou Wood’s SNL Apology Wasn’t An ‘Official’ Or ‘Formal’ Act

While the Sex Education vet claimed that someone made good with her, a report from TMZ alleges that this was not an official act on SNL’s behalf. Instead, it has been suggested that this mending of fences came from “someone she knows on the show” and outside of an “official or formal capacity.”

During “The White Potus” sketch, from Saturday Night Live host Jon Hamm’s fourth appearance on the show, there was a caricature of Wood’s White Lotus character, Chelsea. The character was present for a joke about dental health. As Hamm was portraying current Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. going on a rant about fluoride, cast member Sarah Sherman played said caricature with comedically exaggerated teeth.

For a parody that was supposed to be more politically focused, the Chelsea choice in “The White Potus” struck a chord. That's been evident due to the continued media coverage of Wood, which has drawn attention to the sensitivity of this subject.

SNL's Sarah Sherman Could Be The Unnamed Source Of This Apology

Aimee Lou Wood recently spoke about her teeth and how they’ve become a subject of scrutiny in the media. With that, it seemed likely that the sketch could receive some blowback. Nevertheless, while we can’t confirm that it was Sarah Sherman who was the unnamed party apologizing for this sketch’s content, she did offer a gesture that may be a clue that trends in that direction:

We'll have to wait for further confirmation regarding whether Sherman is the party that apologized for “The White Potus” sketch’s treatment of Wood’s image. At the same time, though, this sort of move feels like something a respected comedy professional would make, in a situation with these unique circumstances.

Save a few notable responses to some of the sketch comedy series' most infamous moments, you'll rarely see Saturday Night Live officially apologize to any person they offend, as the series operates on the principle that everyone in the media is fair game. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sarah Sherman issued her own personal mea culpa to Wood that smoothed things over, because she personally felt bad it inspired such a reaction. That distinction is important to keep in mind because, if the show were to officially apologize to those it directly satirized, the floodgates would open.

What matters now is that to Aimee Lou Wood, this slight seems to have been corrected. Also, with just a handful of shows left in SNL’s 50th season, there’s still plenty of time for mockery to arrive on any front. As always, you can catch that show as it goes out, at 11:35 pm ET on NBC and Peacock, with episodes subsequently streamable via a Peacock subscription.

Saturday Night Live caused quite a stir after its latest episode dropped this past weekend. As SNL 50 guest host Jon Hamm headlined the proceedings, there was a White Lotus-inspired sketch. A number of the characters from the HBO show were spoofed, including Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea – who Sarah Sherman lampooned by wearing false teeth. Wood spoke out about the sketch and expressed her dissatisfaction with it and, now, the British actress is setting the record straight on whether she was “crying” over it.

Earlier this week, paparazzi captured photos of Aimee Lou Wood crying while out and about in South London. Snapshots showed her shedding tears, as a friend held her. At the time, it was believed that Wood was sobbing due to having been lampooned on SNL, but it would seem that’s not actually the case. The star took to her Instagram stories to address the speculation and, apparently, it would seem there’s been a misunderstanding. She cleared the air while thanking British radio host Ashley Louise James for her words of support:

The Sex Education star didn’t specify the actual cause of the tears but, even though Saturday Night Live didn’t contribute to the situation, she still didn’t hold back on the sketch. Over the weekend, she posted her thoughts on Instagram and called the segment – titled “The White Potus” – “mean and unfunny.” She also expressed her belief that there was a more nuanced way to have spoofed her character. Nevertheless, she also said that she’d received “apologies” from SNL, and she’s since defended Sarah Sherman from backlash.

In “The White Potus,” U.S. President Donald Trump, members of his family and other political officials attend a resort amid the institution of his tariffs. Each of the characters in the pre-taped sketch are meant to parallel those in the third season of White Lotus (which can be streamed with a Max subscription). Sarah Sherman’s version of Chelsea comes into play when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (played by Jon Hamm) talks to her about the effects of removing fluoride from drinking water. With that, Sherman’s character asks what fluoride is.

Earlier this month, The White Lotus Season 3 ended on a bombastic note and proved to be one of the most talked-about shows of the 2025 TV schedule. Aimee Lou Wood also received considerable praise for her portrayal of the free-spirited Chelsea. When sharing his own take on Wood’s performance, CinemaBlend’s own Corey Chichizola called her a scene-stealer.

It seems that Aimee Lou Wood appreciates the support she’s received from fans since she revealed her feelings about SNL’s sketch. She actually reposted more than a few of their responses on social media. Amid that, though, it’s understandable as to why she would want to set the record straight on the photos of her crying.

A new episode of Saturday Night Live is set to air on May 3, with Quinta Brunson hosting and Benson Boone serving as musical guest. In the meantime, you can stream episodes of the sketch comedy series using a Peacock subscription.

SPOILERS are ahead for The White Lotus Season 3, now streaming with a Max subscription. Don't read on unless you've seen the finale!

The White Lotus finale has sparked all sorts of questions since it aired last weekend, but I don’t think we’re talking enough about Natasha Rothwell’s Belinda. Sure, the returning character may not have been on a revenge quest to ironically kill his own father or tried to poison her family with Piña Coladas, but she and her son did successfully earn a hefty $5 million from Tanya’s husband Greg Hunt in order to keep quiet about her death. While it would be beautiful if her life from there was paradise, I think I know better after seeing the past three seasons of the show.

Through each season of The White Lotus, creator Mike White has explored the twisted and chaotic privilege of various guests at his fictional White Lotus luxury resorts. But, in each season, he’s chosen a more specific theme to base the narrative around. In Season 1 focused on class privilege, Season 2 was about sex and love and Season 3 was all about spirituality. But the throughline has always been about characters in high tax brackets. Belinda in Season 1 and Season 3 was an outlier, but after she set sail in the finale, things changed. I want to talk about how I think this might lead to a prediction of mine.

Belinda Left Thailand With $5 Million, And I Love That For Her

Before I get all dark and deep with this piece, No. 1: Belinda just had the best Thai vacation ever. Sure, she thought she was staying at the same hotel as a potential murderer for half of it, but she also found some romance with Pornchai, and ended up striking a deal with help from her son to receive $5 million dollars from Greg in exchange for her silence. As I would be, Belinda was super unsure about making the deal because she didn’t want to be an accomplice to murder, but as we know as the audience, she isn’t in the first place, because Tanya wasn’t murdered after all, she fell off a boat and drowned.

So, Belinda walking away with $5 million means she’ll get to really move up in the world and start her own business. Plus, it’s a good wrap-up to her story with Tanya in the first season, after Belinda had worked on a proposal, and Tanya ended up blowing her off for Greg. It’s kind of a good karma, full-circle storyline, right? But what if there’s more to it brewing?

But, It Also Means That Belinda Could Be Just As Rich As Other White Lotus Guests

I also found the finale reveal interesting because it’s going to completely change Belinda’s life. Earlier in the season, I was thinking about how Belinda is one of the few characters in The White Lotus Season 3 I can really relate to (aside from aspects of the too-real female friendship plotline) because she doesn’t spend all her vacations in a nice resort. She’s not used to really taking time for herself and sharing the same kind of luxuries as a famous actress or a wealthy financier.

However, if she does come back for a future White Lotus season, chances are things are going to be different from now on. I’m imagining Season 4 skipping out on the return of Belinda, but another future season, like 5 or 6, could bring her back at a time when she’s established her business and is absolutely thriving. Perhaps in the matter of just a few years, she becomes one of the most successful spa tycoons in the world but decides to go back to a White Lotus resort to remember her humble beginnings. And instead of being the underdog, this time, she’s one of the privileged guests.

Belinda Is Not Safe As Long As She's Not The Only Person Who Can Connect Greg To Tanya’s Death

To go back to Greg for a moment, if you go back to Season 2, you may recall that Belinda is not the only loose end for Tanya’s late husband. Haley Lou Richardson’s Portia also suspected Greg when she left Italy, it just wasn’t clear if she did anything about it. What if Season 4 brings Portia back into the fold, or we learn that she’s tipped the police off, but Greg doesn’t know it’s Portia rather than Belinda, and she’s then in danger again?

While this part of my prediction is more speculative and brainstormy, my main point here is that Belinda’s problems won’t necessarily end just because she took Greg’s $5 million and ran with it. As The Notorious B.I.G. famously says: ‘Mo Money, Mo Problems”. And I bet Mike White will want to explore that at some point.

I Could See Mike White Ending The Series With Belinda Earning Her Own Lesson Of Privilege

While The White Lotus Season 3 cast speculated who could be cast in Season 4, for the time being, we have no idea what the creator has in store for the next installment. An HBO programming executive has said (via Deadline) that the next season would likely be “somewhere in Europe.” (And that definitely adds more weight to my Portia theory!) Other than that, we’re pretty much in the dark. However, given the way things ended with Belinda and have already started with Belinda, how perfect would it be if the series ended with Belinda falling like the other White Lotus guests after starting as a spa manager at one of the resorts and rising to the top? I just feel like it would wrap up the show, whenever it does end, in a really circular way.

And $5 million is $5 million. That amount of money could get Belinda in a lot of success or trouble no matter how you slice it. Anyways, here’s hoping she does show up in a future season, but until then, you can check out our The White Lotus interviews with Natasha Rothwell and so forth.

Spoilers ahead for The White Lotus Season 3's finale.

Despite its finale airing over a week ago, those with a Max subscription are still reeling from the events of The White Lotus Season 3. The last episode finally revealed who died at the shooting teased in the premiere, and fans are definitely bummed out. Another viral story was the Ratliff brothers' incest, brought to life by actors Sam Nivola and Patrick Schwarzenegger. The latter actor recently revealed his deleted death scene, and shared how it totally messed with his fiancée as she watched.

While latecomers figure out how to watch The White Lotus Season 3, the hardcore fans have been dissecting and discussing each frame from the finale. Schwarzenegger gave a strong performance for Saxon's final appearance, but in a viral TikTok he spoke about a sequence that didn't make it into the episode. He shared:

Well, I've got FOMO. The mystery of the Ratliff family and the blender lasted all season long, with fans wondering who might die as a result of the Suicide Tree's poisonous fruit. And it sounds like Mike White almost kept that going with a fake-out death for Saxon.

In the end it was Lachlan who consumed the poison (and was found by their father Tim), but luckily didn't actually die. The Ratliffs all survived their trip to Thailand, although that's not what Patrick Schwarzenegger's fiancée Abby Champion thought went down. As he shared:

Honestly, this is pretty hilarious. I love that Schwarzenegger kept this lie going on for so long, considering Champion thought she knew The White Lotus Season 3's ending back when it was still in production.

In the end Saxon didn't die. Instead that honor (?) tragically went to Rick and Chelsea, played by Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood respectively. It was a truly heartbreaking ending, especially since their love story was so beloved by the fandom. As for the Ratliffs, they're leaving Thailand and joining a brand new world without their wealth.

The White Lotus is streaming in its entirety now on Max. Unfortunately, no more episodes will be arriving as part of the 2025 TV premiere list.

Spoilers ahead for The White Lotus Season 3 finale.

Despite the finale airing a week ago, those with Max subscription are still reeling from the wild finale of The White Lotus Season 3. My personal favorite storyline in the third season was about "The Ladies" aka Laurie, Kate and Jaclyn. Carrie Coon absolutely slayed the finale with her moving monologue, but I'm shocked another touching moment from this dinner wasn't scripted.

While some folks figure out how to watch The White Lotus Season 3, I've spent the last week re-watching the finale's most memorable scenes. That includes the last dinner shared between the ladies, where Carrie Coon delivered a devastating monologue about self-worth and friendship. Afterward Jaclyn and Kate tell Laurie that they love her, and it turns out that was actually improvised. Leslie Bibb revealed this during a conversation with Bustle, offering:

How touching is that? The White Lotus Season 3 cast clearly bonded on set, especially as they kept each other company for months while filming in Thailand. That's seemingly why the ladies' words of love for each other felt so natural when Bibb and Michelle Monaghan said them to Carrie Coon during their final emotional scene together. And I'm shocked the moment wasn't already in the script.

While this season of The White Lotus offered viral moments like the Ratliff brothers' kiss, many fans (myself included) were drawn to the too-real female friendship plot line. Being a fly on the wall as the three women gossiped about each other and tried to keep their frustrations at bay was thrilling television. And while they all ultimately survived the shooting that's been teased throughout Season 3, that didn't make their final dinner any less memorable.

Rumors have been swirling about feuds amongst the White Lotus Season 3 cast, largely thanks to comments Jason Isaacs made that promptly went viral. While the public doesn't know what really happened behind the scenes in Thailand, Leslie Bibb's recollection of filming the finale offers a lighter take.

While watching these three old friends gossip and compete for men's attention was fun, Carrie Coon's character in particular made sure that there were real emotional stakes involved. From the moment she cried in Episode 1 it was clear that Laurie wasn't feeling quite as happy and blessed as her two travel companions.

Of course, the Gilded Age actress finished off her tenure as Laurie by hilariously sprinting away from the shooting that occurred in the finale. So she didn't depart the White Lotus without one more laugh. All three seasons of the acclaimed dark comedy are streaming now on Max.

The White Lotus Season 3 ended over a week ago as part of the 2025 TV schedule and, as a whole, it was definitely exciting. Viewers saw complicated (and icky) family dynamics play out, friendships broken and repaired and sadly the murders of some key characters. It’ll be a hard season to top, but creator Mike White is already looking onward and upward. The showrunner has already started eying locations for the fourth season, and I’m so excited about some of the prospects.

Mike White recently made it clear that fans are going to be seeing some different locales in the future. The previous seasons have all featured beachy resorts, with Season 1 taking place in Hawaii, Season 2 being set in Sicily, and Season 3 being set around Thailand. All of these locations offered something different, with the setting being a major part of the show and the plot. However, White revealed to Rolling Stone that Season 4 is going to be even more of a departure:

I’m totally in favor of this idea! While I loved watching the heat between the characters rise as the temperatures rose, it’ll be cool to see something completely different. All the scandals and the sundresses have been amazing, yet there’s so much potential for something new. White Lotus star Parker Posey even pitched an idea involving the Swiss Alps, and I’m totally in. Seeing characters try to survive the cold would be top tier.

It seems like White has the same line of thinking. There’s already been a lot of speculation about a potential for a ski resort season, and these rumors seemed to have even more weight when a Norwegian newspaper reported that The White Lotus team applied for a grant to film in Norway. However, this was squashed when the newspaper later reported that White had decided not to film there. Nevertheless, this could still hint at the vibe White is going for.

HBO executive Francesca Orsi seemed to confirm this to Deadline, when she said the production team was primarily focusing on Europe:

“Europe” could mean anything, especially considering the Sicily Season 2 setting was also in Europe. Of course, Italy has a completely different vibe than somewhere like Norway or The Swiss Alps. This doesn’t really provide any clear answers, but if fans are really looking to narrow down some potential locations, it’s important to note that The White Lotus has always filmed at Four Seasons Resorts. A quick peruse on their website can show you some gorgeous European resorts that would be perfect for Lotus. I personally love the chalet vibe of Megève, France, or something with an old-city aesthetic like London or Florence.

When it comes to The White Lotus, the sky's the limit, and wherever Mike White chooses, I’m sure we’re in for an exciting and unique season. Season 3 just aired its finale, so we may have to wait a while before the fourth one to comes to fruition. In the meantime, you can revisit the existing three seasons, as they're now streaming with a Max subscription.

Saturday Night Live has long been known to lampoon notable TV shows and the actors who star on them. Those sketches have been released to varying reception from both the celebrities connected to said titles and fans as a whole. Last night, SNL debuted another parody amid the 2025 TV schedule, and the segment in question involves HBO’s The White Lotus. As part of the pre-taped sketch, Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea was imitated and, though she’s since been apologized to by the show, she got real about her feelings on the sketch..

“The White Potus” puts a heavy political spin on the latest season of HBO’s hit anthology series (which is currently available to stream with a Max subscription). Various cast memes and guest stars portray political figures, with SNL 50 host Jon Hamm portraying Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. At one point, Kennedy speaks to an unnamed young woman (played by Sarah Sherman) about fluoride and how removing it from drinking water could affect people’s teeth. The woman then questions what fluoride is.

While playing the character, Sarah Sherman wears a set of false and pronounced teeth. Previously, Aimee Lou Wood talked about her teeth, expressing her desire for them not to be so heavily discussed. Upon checking out Saturday Night Live’s sketch, she took to her Instagram story to express her displeasure with how she was portrayed:

On top of saying that she found the segment “mean and unfunny," the Daddy Issues star also explained that she found it “a shame,” because she’d enjoyed watching the show more recently. However, even though she said in another post that she’s “had apologies from SNL,” she’s currently of the belief that the parody could’ve been handled a better way. Check out another post:

In “The White Potus,” U.S. President Donald Trump (James Austin Green) vacations with wife Melania (Chloe Fineman) as well as other members of his family and other political bigwigs. Each character serves as an avatar for the characters on White Lotus. For instance, this version of Donald parallels Jason Isaacs’ Timothy Ratliff from the show, while Secretary Kennedy is similar to Walton Goggins’ Rick. Check out the sketch below to see appearances from Scarlett Johansson, Lizzo and more:

Aimee Lou Wood made quite a splash as Chelsea amid the duration of TWL’s latest season. She’s established as Rick’s much younger girlfriend, who’s a bit of a free spirit. Wood’s performance has received praise, and CinemaBlend’s own Corey Chichizola declared her a scene stealer. It would also seem that the support she received during the season continues to pour in, as Wood said in another IG story post that she’d received “thousands” of positive messages from fans following the SNL parody.

It would seem that the British actress is mostly seeking to take Saturday Night Live’s impersonation in stride. Also, it’s admittedly admirable that in some form or fashion the program did reach out to her to extend apologies. While I’m not sure the show will ever stop producing such parodies, there’s always the chance that this situation could encourage the writers to find more “nuanced” ways to craft them as Aimee Lou Wood is arguing.

SNL returns with a new episode on May 3, at which point Quinta Brunson will host and Benson Boone will serve as musical guest. You can also stream episodes now using a Peacock subscription.

SPOILERS are ahead for The White Lotus finale, now streaming with a Max subscription.

The White Lotus may be over on the 2025 TV schedule, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking about that emotional finale for weeks to come. The last episode of Season 3 was full of surprises, but the one I can’t get out of my head is how Chelsea and Rick both ended up being dead bodies. It was especially frustrating because Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea was so innocent, and it felt like she could have definitely saved herself by simply walking away.

However, when Wood spoke to Bustle about the finale, she shared a heart-achingly solid reason why that was not in the cards for Chelsea. During the interview, it was brought up how the fan-favorite character seemed to feel like she could “fix” Walton Goggins' Rick, but the actress brought up how we can’t fix Chelsea either. In her words:

This is an extremely good point. While it’s easy to make Chelsea a victim of circumstance, under her free will, she was with Rick, and despite all the red flags and concerns in front of her, she chose to run toward the fire. As she mentioned, her co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger was even bummed that his character couldn’t have died over her, but as she continued:

She went on to say that maybe if her character really worked on herself, she would have made a different choice. However, tragically, that's not how it went down:

There’s a lot of talk about Rick being the one to be worried about because he was on a revenge mission to kill the man who killed his father. However, Chelsea sees and hears the place Rick is in, and rather than saving herself, she chooses the path of loving him and sticking by him, even trying to “save” him during their Thailand vacation.

During the interview, Wood also shared how she thinks the character has “so much shit she has not dealt with and processes” and looks to things like the zodiac, spirituality books, aphorisms and mantras to soothe and make sense of things. And while Chelsea thinks she’s being drawn to Rick through “fate,” it’s really “some unhealed shit.”

Wood’s comments about Chelsea offer some bigger insights into what her character and Rick are exploring as the season itself as a whole got into the theme of spirituality and religion with its various characters. We were spending our time having theories about Rick and his father, but I can’t believe I didn’t see Chelsea and Rick’s emotional death scenes coming.

As we continue to process the season, check out the cast’s picks for Season 4 actors and our thoughts about where The White Lotus could be set.

Obviously, there are spoilers for the finale of Season 3 of The White Lotus, so if you’re not caught up, now’s a good time to get there with a Max subscription.

The wonderful thing about The White Lotus is that different people take different things away from the show. How one person sees the ending and the lessons learned can be completely different from how another person sees it. One of the most talked about parts of the 2025 television schedule was the fate of Lochlan Ratliff (Sam Nivola), or Lochy, the youngest (though not the most innocent) child of Tim and Victoria Ratliff (Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey, respectively). Lochy didn’t die after consuming the deadly seeds of the poison fruit, and I think the show’s brilliant creator pulled his punch there. Allow me to explain.

The White Lotus Has A History Of Tragic Accidents

In each of the first two seasons of the HBO hit, tragic accidents have befallen fan favorites. In Season 1, it was the accidental stabbing of hotel manager Armond (Murray Bartlett) by Shane (Jake Lacy). In Season 2, it was everyone’s favorite character, Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), who tripped, fell off a boat and drowned after narrowly escaping an attempt on her life.

In Season 3, this exact kind of tragedy is avoided when, despite drinking the poison and tripping out for a bit, Lochy awakens in his father’s arms. I understand that Mike White was bringing together the concepts of faith, Eastern Religion and redemption that were the overarching theme of the season, but that still would have worked had Lochy died. The theme wasn’t dependent on him living, and for me, it took away from the theme.

Returning To The Ocean

Lochy’s final moments had him imagining himself drowning, unable to reach the surface of a rough sea, just as the Buddhist monk had described death to Tim in an earlier episode. When we die, the monk explained, we return to the “one giant consciousness.” The monk compares it to being a drop of water returning to the ocean, just as Lochy envisions it. It would be a tragic end to Lochy, but it would've reinforced the theme, just as his redemption ultimately did, too.

The fallout from Lochy’s death would have been intense, but it’s not like he was an innocent bystander this season. Whatever was going on between him and his siblings was anything but innocent, and that was on him. I’m not saying he deserved death, but his journey to enlightenment wasn’t complete until his near-death experience, and it could have come from living or dying.

I think Mike White let us (and Tim Ratliff) off the hook, and while the deaths of Rick and especially Chloe hit us hard, it wasn’t half as hard as it would have been watching Tim react to his youngest son’s death in his arms. I guess, like Lochy, we were spared that, but maybe we shouldn’t have been.

It's going to be a long wait until Season 4 of The White Lotus, and we're not sure where the show will take place, but I do know that I'll probably be thinking about the end of this season until it returns.