Potential Characters for Season 3 of The White Lotus

After resolving the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, HBO is now focusing on casting for The White Lotus Season 3. But who should be part of the ensemble? Here's our suggestion.

With two seasons of The White Lotus becoming a surprising comedic triumph for HBO, the network can now fully appreciate its unprecedented success.

Which stars should play a prominent role in the upcoming season of The White Lotus, set in Thailand?

Who should be in The White Lotus Season 3?

Presented below is a compilation of potential luminaries, as suggested by both enthusiasts and Dexerto, that should grace the screen in The White Lotus Season 3. However, it is imperative to bear in mind that no official confirmation has been made thus far.

According to Deadline, the upcoming season of the show will feature a total of 13 characters, with 9 of them being main cast members. The series' creator, Mike White, has revealed that this new season will be even more over-the-top and extravagant than ever before.

With that in mind, we’ve picked 13 potential new faces who should each be an epic fit for The White Lotus Season 3.

Laura Dern

HBO

Laura Dern's phenomenal performances on the small screen, like her fiery portrayal of Renata in Big Little Lies, have made her a familiar face. It's only natural for fans to crave her presence in the esteemed world of the White Lotus.

Given how versatile of an actor Dern is, she could easily slip into a number of stereotypical roles, including worn-out mom and Tanya McQuoid 2.0.

Marcia Cross

ABC

It’s been a little while since we’ve seen Marcia Cross on our TV screens, having most notably appeared as Bree Van de Kamp in the 2004 hit Desperate Housewives.

Could she be the person to step into the Peppa Pig pink shoes of Jennifer Coolidge? Some fans think she’s a good fit – and we’d have to agree.

Issa Rae

Warner Bros.

Whenever The White Lotus Season 3 is in need of a comedic touch – and it will be – fans think Issa Rae would be a great face to turn to.

Fresh out of her role as President Barbie in Greta Gerwig's live-action adaptation, Issa Rae showcases her versatility in both serious drama and light-hearted humor with her self-produced show Insecure. Notably, Rae has expressed her admiration for the series.

Rachel Sennott

Pacific Northwest Pictures

Portia (Haley Lu Richardson) is unlikely to make a return to The White Lotus – but who will be our young adult at crisis point?

Shiva Baby and Bottoms star Rachel Sennott is widely considered as the top choice. Despite her less than favorable departure from HBO's The Idol, no one can surpass her ability to deliver a deadpan, yet inappropriate joke.

Michael Urie

ABC

Although Michael Urie has recently appeared in Shrinking and Single All the Way, loyal followers will recognize him as the sly assistant Marc from Ugly Betty, alongside Wilhelmina Slater.

Tyler James Williams

Urie has the potential to bring a touch of cattiness to his performance, much like other cast members of The White Lotus. However, it's important to note that he shouldn't be confined to stereotypes. In fact, envisioning him in a role akin to Season 2's Ethan (Will Sharpe) wouldn't be a stretch.

Tyler James Williams, an actor known for his deadpan delivery, is no stranger to playing characters that thrive amidst chaos. This makes him a prime candidate for a role in The White Lotus Season 3.

Fans will recognize him from Abbott Elementary – perhaps the murderous drama would benefit from breaking the fourth wall too?

Lindsay Lohan

Paramount Pictures

Now she’s back on the acting horse, there would be no better mainstream comeback for Lindsay Lohan than a cameo role in The White Lotus Season 3.

Alyah Chanelle Scott

Lohan's performance in Mean Girls showcased her ability to hold her own, and she continues to impress in the recent Walmart ad commercial. It's clear that Lohan still has the power to deliver a compelling dramatic performance when necessary. And, as the fans have made clear, her talent is undeniable.

HBO Max

The White Lotus wouldn’t be The White Lotus without a healthy splash of sex scandals, and Alyah Chanelle Scott might be the perfect person to deliver the goods.

She’s best known for her leading role in The Sex Lives of College Girls as Whitney, who had an affair with an older man. Sound familiar?

Joel Kim Booster

Searchlight Pictures

Fire Island’s Joel Kim Booster is another familiar face who could strike The White Lotus balance between drama-fuelled and totally unserious.

Booster could either fill the over-it boots of Season 1’s Olivia Mossbacher (Sydney Sweeney) or the playing-with-fire attitude of Season 2’s Cameron (Theo James).

Keegan Michael Key

Comedy Central

Every White Lotus season needs a shifty guy who’s engaging in immoral behavior. Who better to turn his acting talents into this than Keegan Michael Key?

Julia Fox

Key & Peele, a comedy show, showcases Key’s irreverence and comedic timing. His recent appearances in shows like Schmigadoon! demonstrate Key's ability to adapt to any situation and excel.

A24

There’s almost no explanation needed for why Julia Fox would undoubtedly fit in well with The White Lotus crowd – and fans agree.

Not only is she a walking meme, but she’s also previously blended real-life satire with abundant drama in movies such as Uncut Gems.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

ABC

Another addition from Abbott Elementary is Sheryl Lee Ralph, who effortlessly bridges the gap between no-nonsense and off-the-cuff humor.

Ralph is a naturally comedic actor who brings humor to every role, whether she realizes it or not. She effortlessly holds her own against the formidable characters of The White Lotus, such as Tanyas and Valentinas.

Jennifer Coolidge

HBO

What? Not again! While Tanya McQuoid's demise on The White Lotus Season 2 may have been a laughing matter (just kidding, she accidentally fell off the boat), devoted viewers believe Jennifer Coolidge might stage a comeback through various intriguing possibilities.

Explore our other hubs dedicated to TV shows and films:

- Our Thoughts on fan theories for the Season 2 finale suggest that Tanya may have survived, possibly leading to a ghostly encounter or the introduction of an unknown twin sister.

Avatar 3, Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Beetlejuice 2, Blade, Deadpool 3, Dune 2, Gladiator 2, Mission: Impossible 8, Mortal Kombat 2, Beyond the Spider-Verse, Superman: Legacy, Thunderbolts, Venom 3, Wicked, 1923 Season 2, Citadel Season 2, Daredevil: Born Again, Euphoria Season 3, Severance Season 2, Stranger Things Season 5, The Last of Us Season 2, The Mandalorian Season 4, The Penguin, The Sandman Season 2, The White Lotus Season 3, Wednesday Season 2, Yellowjackets Season 3.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of The White Lotus, I am thrilled about the potential characters for Season 3. Laura Dern would be an excellent addition to the cast, and I can totally see her playing a worn-out mom or a Tanya McQuoid 2.0. Marcia Cross would also be a great choice, and I think she could bring a lot of humor to the role.

Issa Rae would be a great choice for a comedic touch, and I think she would be able to balance the drama and humor of the show perfectly. Rachel Sennott would be a great choice for the young adult at crisis point, and I think she would be able to bring a lot of depth to the role. Michael Urie would be a great choice for a catty character, and I think he would be able to bring a lot of energy to the role. Tyler James Williams would be a great choice for a character who thrives amidst chaos, and I think he would be able to bring a lot of humor to the role. Lindsay Lohan would be a great choice for a comeback role, and I think she would be able to bring a lot of star power to the show.