If you’re ready to check back into The White Lotus, then pack your bags because we’re a few weeks away from season two, which premieres on Sunday, October 30th.
Featuring some of the finest performances in 2021, which earned the series a whopping 10 Emmys , The White Lotus didn’t fit neatly into one genre: it’s part satire, part murder mystery, and part romance. And based on some of the characters’ behavior, part horror. Audiences desperately wanted a second season, and showrunner Mike White has delivered.
From what we’ve gathered, you can expect a whole lot of drugs, booze, cross-generational clashes, and sexual politics in Season 2. Here’s the need-to-know:
What is Season 2 about?
Creator White initially envisioned The White Lotus as an anthology series, with each season set at a different resort and with a different cast. In line with White’s vision, season two takes place at The White Lotus Sicily, where a new group of the ultra rich are bound to get in some trouble. Four Seasons San Domenico Palace served as the stand-in for The White Lotus Sicily, so expect sweeping views of the Mediterranean that will give you serious wanderlust.
The themes of the season will differ. Rather than center on power dynamics between the classes, the new season will focus on gender politics and cultural issues that are unique to Sicily. White stated that he took inspiration from a legend set in the 1200s where an Italian woman beheaded her married lover. (Does this mean there’s going to be a decapitation? The start of the season will open with a murder mystery, so who knows!)
Is anyone checking back in from Season 1?
We’re not going to see the same core cast traverse around Italy, but we will see Jennifer Coolidge returning as Tanya, the delightfully delusional hot mess who is now married to Greg (Jon Gries). You may recall that Tanya met Greg while at White Lotus in Hawaii and ended up in a whirlwind romance. It has been a while, so this can’t be their honeymoon.
Who are the new Guests?
- The Ladies Men — F. Murray Abraham (Moonknight, Homeland), Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), and Adam DiMarco will star as a grandfather, father, and son who have come to
Sicily to “get in touch with their Italian roots.” Grandpa and dad fancy themselves as ladies men, which is sure to lead to sexual pursuits “in a very Italian way,” according to the showrunner. The three men are on this trip because “all the women in their family hate them,” and Imperioli’s character doesn’t seem to have any trouble making a few new female friends, according to a trailer. 
The Foursome — Meanwhile, Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) and Will Sharpe (Flowers) will star as a couple who just came into a whole lot of money. They’re on holiday with another married couple (heartthrob Theo James of Divergent fame and Meghann Fahy of The Bold Type), and Plaza has said that this foursome has their own unique plotline that ventures into sexy territory. But according to the trailer, she’s not on board with the other wife.
The Brit –– And then there’s Tom Hollander, who most recently played Truman Capote in Feud, but is known for upper crusty Pride & Prejudice roles. He shows up as an English ex-pat traveling with his friends and nephew, and he becomes obsessed with Tanya.- The Staff — There’s a new strict manager at White Lotus Sicily: Valentina (Sabrina Impacciatore), a character the actress describes as being “more rude than any Italian would
be.” There’s also an aspiring singer, Mia (Beatrice Granno), and another staffer, Lucia (Simona Tabasco), who’s busy networking with the guests. Twenty percent of the dialogue between these characters (and some of the guests) is in Italian, bringing some authenticity to your vicarious vacation. (There will be captions.)
Will There be a Season Three? White has stated that he’s interested in the third season taking place in Japan, with a mix of characters from seasons 1 and 2.
Want to join a viewing club or after-watch talk? Sign-up for the Watercooler’s Binge Viewers Club and we’ll send you info about The White Lotus event.
Where to find the show? HBO Max
Start a watercooler conversation: