Season four of The White Lotus has just added its biggest star to the cast.

Sound the alarms and clean out your blenders because we have some particularly juicy The White Lotus tea.

We recently learnt about the picturesque new location for the next season (hello, South of France!), and now, more guests are checking in.

Deadline reports Chris Messina is in early talks to join season four of the award-winning drama — and we have all the details.

After three seasons set in stunning locations — Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand — the anthology show has become a cultural phenomenon. Season three concluded with shocking events in Koh Samui, Thailand, leaving fans eager for the next chapter.

Created by Mike White, the HBO series explores themes of privilege, identity, and desire against the backdrop of opulent resorts. Each season introduces a new cast of characters whose vacations unravel into chaos — often with deadly consequences.

Between the sharp social commentary, dark humour, and jaw-dropping twists, season four of The White Lotus is sure to be a doozy. While many details remain under wraps, here's everything we know so far.

Is there going to be a White Lotus season 4?

Image: The White Lotus.

Good news: The White Lotus is officially returning for season four.

HBO officially greenlit season four in January 2025, before season three even premiered. Francesca Orsi, HBO's EVP of Programming, expressed excitement about continuing the series, saying, "Mike White and his team have created something truly special."

The renewal was hardly surprising given the show's critical acclaim and cultural impact.

However, the soundtrack to the series is likely to sound different given the composer, Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, confirmed to The New York Times that he will depart the series at the end of season 3.

Watch: Our interview with The White Lotus season 3 cast. Post continues below.

Where will The White Lotus season 4 be set?

From Thailand to Saint-Tropez!

According to Variety, season four of The White Lotus will be filmed at a 19th-century palace-turned-luxury hotel, located in Saint-Tropez on the Côte d'Azur, (otherwise known as the divine French Riviera).

Called the Château de La Messardière, the hotel is set within 32 acres of parasol pines, cypress trees, and jasmine. It includes a spa, restaurants, sports activities, beach access by Rolls-Royce transfer, and a children's camp. Suites run from $3,000 to $8,000 (and up) per night.

Of course, as with previous seasons, the Château de La Messardière will just be one of the shooting locations for The White Lotus.

The story is said to unfold along the French Riviera, with some scenes also being filmed at a Paris hotel.

The Château de La Messardière. Image: Airelles.com

In previous years, HBO traditionally partnered with Four Seasons Hotels to film at their properties. But the network reportedly did not renew the deal this time around.

According to show runner Mike White, he has dreams to film the show all over the world.

"My dream would be to hit every continent, so yeah, this is like its own continent basically. We kind of have to come to Australia if we keep going," White said at Sydney's 2023 Vivid Festival. "It would be so fun. Obviously, there's a huge wealth of talent here and the beauty is inarguable, so it feels like it checks all the boxes."

Has filming started for The White Lotus season 4?

Image: The White Lotus.

Unfortunately no, filming has not yet begun. But soon!

Production is expected to start at the end of April and continue through to October, as per Variety.

When will The White Lotus season 4 premiere?

The first two seasons of The White Lotus premiered in August 2021 and October 2022, with only a short break between them. Season three took a little longer to arrive, largely due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, eventually premiering in February 2025.

While HBO hasn't announced an official release date, it's likely that season four will debut in late 2026 or early 2027.

Where can I watch The White Lotus season 4?

As with previous seasons, season four will air on HBO and stream on Max (formerly HBO Max). You can watch HBO Max in Australia (now just called Max) by subscribing directly, adding it to a Foxtel plan, or as an add-on via Amazon Prime Video.

Who is in the cast of The White Lotus season 4?

Deadline had previously teased Harry Potter star Helena Bonham Carter was in negotiations to join the upcoming series. And now, HBO has confirmed that the iconic actress has joined the hotel's guest list.

Chris Messina, from The Mindy Project and Based on a True Story, is also locked in to join the next season.

While details are light on exactly who Messina will be playing, sources told Deadline his character would be "one of the new major roles opposite Carter that had others chasing the part."

And the third name that HBO has confirmed is newcomer Marissa Long, who will be making her television debut.

The first cast announcements for The White Lotus season four came in early January.

Alexander Ludwig and AJ Michalka were confirmed as the first two stars joining the new season, with both actors sharing the news on Instagram.

Ludwig, 33, best known for Earth Abides, and Michalka, 34 — yes, that AJ from the Disney Channel's Aly & AJ — are officially checking in to the White Lotus universe.

Michalka marked the announcement by reposting Deadline's casting report to Instagram, writing, "Checking in! 🛎️ Let's party Mike 🪷."

While details about her character are still under wraps, the casting of the woman responsible for Super Sweet 16: The Movie and "Potential Breakup Song" just feels right.

Since her Disney days, Michalka has stayed busy with roles in Super 8, Support the Girls, The Goldbergs, Schooled and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. She's also still making music with her sister, with Aly & AJ set to tour in 2026.

Ludwig shared the news in a similarly understated way, posting a screenshot of the casting announcement and writing, "Beyond honored."

"Huge thank you to Mike for your trust in me and can't wait to bring this unbelievable material to life," he added.

Season three album Patrick Schwarzenegger responded, "DUDE IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU."

And the guest list continues to grow.

Image: Getty / Instagram/calebjonteedwards.

Steve Coogan, best known for his performances in Philomena and The Reckoning, as well as Black Snow newcomer Caleb Jonte Edwards have just recently joined the cast of HBO's upcoming drama series.

Get excited! This cast is shaping up to be an incredible ensemble.

Will Jon Gries return as Greg/Gary?

If the cast has anything to say about it, Jon Gries' Greg (also known as Gary) isn't done with The White Lotus just yet.

"Jon is like the barnacle of The White Lotus ship — he stays around," Natasha Rothwell, who plays Belinda, told The Hollywood Reporter, referencing his appearances across seasons one to three.

Gries himself, however, is less certain. He's previously revealed his character was originally meant to be killed off in season one before White changed course.

"There's no trying to predict anything Mike White does," Gries said. "Yes, I'd love to come back. But does the book on Greg feel complete? I honestly can't tell you."

Could Belinda return?

Fans are also convinced Belinda and her son Zion (played by Nicholas Duvernay) still have unfinished business following the season three finale.

"I feel like Belinda is everyone and everyone is Belinda," Rothwell has said. "So maybe, selfishly, people want to stay part of it through me."

Adding fuel to the speculation, White has floated the idea of an "all-star" season — one made up entirely of fan-favourite characters from past instalments.

"I'd love to do that," he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Could there be a Survivor crossover?

Given White's long-running habit of sneaking in cameos from his former Survivor castmates (he was runner-up on season 37), some fans are hoping he goes even bigger this time — by casting Survivor host and close friend Jeff Probst.

And honestly? We would absolutely watch that.

What has happened in The White Lotus so far?

Warning: there are multiple spoilers for The White Lotus here. Do not read any further unless you want it spoiled for you.

Season 1.

Image: The White Lotus.

Set in Hawaii, the Mossbacher family—Nicole, her husband Mark, and their children Olivia and Quinn—grapple with marital strains and generational divides. Olivia's friend Paula becomes entangled in a moral dilemma when her romantic connection with a local Hawaiian, Kai, leads to a disastrous robbery attempt. Meanwhile, newlyweds Shane and Rachel face cracks in their marriage as Shane fixates on his dissatisfaction with their suite and clashes with the resort manager, Armond. Rachel struggles with her identity and the compromises she's made by marrying into wealth.

Armond's descent into chaos is central to the story. Initially composed but secretly battling addiction, he spirals under the pressures of catering to demanding guests like Shane. His rivalry with Shane culminates in a tragic confrontation where Shane fatally stabs him in what appears to be an accident. Tanya McQuoid, a grieving heiress, forms a fleeting bond with spa manager Belinda but ultimately abandons her promises of financial support to pursue a romantic connection with Greg.

By the end of the week, most guests leave relatively unscathed or even content, while the staff bear the brunt of their actions, chiefly Armond who is accidentally stabbed by Shane. The season critiques class disparity and privilege, showing how wealth insulates its holders from accountability while leaving others to suffer the consequences. The idyllic setting becomes a backdrop for moral decay, leaving viewers questioning who truly pays for paradise.

Season 2.

Image: The White Lotus.

Set in Sicily, among the central storylines is Tanya McQuoid's return. Now married to Greg, Tanya's idyllic vacation takes a dark turn when Greg abruptly leaves, and she befriends Quentin, an enigmatic aristocrat. Suspicious connections between Quentin and Greg lead Tanya to realise she is the target of a murder plot designed to claim her fortune. In a climactic scene aboard Quentin's yacht, Tanya kills her would-be assassins but tragically drowns while attempting to escape. Her assistant Portia, entangled with Quentin's accomplice Jack, narrowly escapes after uncovering the conspiracy.

Meanwhile, two couples—Ethan and Harper, and Cameron and Daphne—navigate tension-filled dynamics. Ethan suspects Harper of infidelity with Cameron, leading to confrontations that nearly destroy their marriage. However, jealousy and betrayal reignite their intimacy. Daphne's pragmatic approach to her husband Cameron's indiscretions hints at her own secrets, adding layers of complexity to their relationship.

Lucia and Mia, local sex workers, manipulate their way into the lives of the guests. Lucia cons Albie, Dominic's naive son, into giving her €50,000 by fabricating a story about a dangerous pimp. Albie remains unaware that Lucia was initially hired by his father. Mia secures a job as the hotel pianist through cunning manoeuvres, symbolising how the locals triumph over their wealthy counterparts.

Season 3.

Image: The White Lotus.

Belinda Lindsey from Season 1 returns, staying at The White Lotus in Thailand to practice different therapeutic skills. After spotting Greg, now going as 'Gary' and learning of Tanya McQuoid's death, he offers her money in exchange for silence. Initially reluctant, Belinda is persuaded to negotiate aggressively, securing a $5 million payout. Though this financial windfall allows her to leave Thailand with newfound wealth, it comes at the cost of her moral integrity and budding relationship with her Thai partner, Pornchai.

Rick Hatchett, a man haunted by his father's mysterious death, travels to Thailand seeking vengeance against hotel owner Jim Hollinger, whom he believed was responsible. However, in a devastating twist, Rick discovers that Jim is actually his biological father. This revelation comes too late—Rick killed him during a confrontation at the White Lotus resort. The fallout from this act spirals further into tragedy when Rick's girlfriend, Chelsea, gets caught in the crossfire and dies. Overwhelmed and cornered, Rick ultimately meets his end at the hands of Gaitok, a conflicted pacifist security guard.

Meanwhile, the Ratliff family face their own turmoil as patriarch Timothy attempts to poison his family with toxic cocktails to shield them from impending financial ruin. His stops his plan at the last moment, but his son Lochlan unknowingly consumes the poisoned remnants in a blender the next morning. Though he survived after a near-death experience, the incident underscores the fractured dynamics within the family, as they head home to face the music.

Feature image: HBO.

This article was originally published on April 8, 2025 and has since been updated.