9 Actors We'd Love to See Cast on 'The White Lotus' Season 3

Matthew Creith READ TIME: 10 MIN.

Out writer and director Mike White's "The White Lotus" has already been renewed for a third season even before Season 2 is finished airing all of its episodes. Stunning locations that have taken audiences to Hawaii and Italy (can we possibly see Bali next time?), "The White Lotus" has brought glamor and intrigue to the lifestyles of the uber-rich and patronizing. The ensemble cast from its first two seasons features an array of talent, including Sydney Sweeney, Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Michael Imperioli, Aubrey Plaza, and the incomparable Jennifer Coolidge. With "The White Lotus" Season 3 in the works, we thought it might be fun to list the actors we'd love to see cast in the next season.

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams.
Source: Instagram/@jennaortega

Jenna Ortega

Proving to be a powerhouse performer in the "Scream" franchise and the newly released Netflix Addams Family series "Wednesday," Jenna Ortega would be a welcome addition to "The White Lotus" family. Noting the actor's strength as a comedic expert who is unafraid of a dead body or two, Ortega would fit in quite well as a guest of one of the famed hotel properties. She seems to understand Tim Burton's quirkiness approach to comedy, so working with "The White Lotus" creator Mike White could be a natural progression in the young actor's career.

Janelle Monae poses at the "Fem The Future" brunch to celebrate nominated women in music at Ysabel on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, in West Hollywood, Calif.
Source: Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP

Janelle Monáe

Taking beauty and sophistication to new heights in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," the openly non-binary Janelle Monáe has shown the world her talents through acting and singing. Carrying high-profile ensemble content seems to be Monáe's bread and butter, as she is currently in the running for a possible Academy Award nomination for her work in Rian Johnson murder mystery, despite the film boasting A-list stars like Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Edward Norton, and Kathryn Hahn. A worthy actor in her own right, Monáe  would be deliciously entertaining to watch on "The White Lotus," regardless of whatever themes are established in Season 3.

Kyle Chandler

Both seasons of "The White Lotus" thus far enjoy setting scenes for veteran actors to play in the spotlight. Setting hearts a flutter as the determined high school football coach Eric Taylor in "Friday Night Lights," Chandler collaborated well with future "The White Lotus" star Connie Britton. A serious actor for most of his career, Chandler has demonstrated how funny he can be with the proper script, as he masterfully did in the 2018 action comedy "Game Night." Chandler would bring effortless charisma and charm to "The White Lotus" Season 3, with a winning smile to boot.

Oliver Jackson-Cohen in "Surface."
Source: Apple TV+ via AP

Oliver Jackson-Cohen

A piece of eye candy never hurt anyone when it comes to the beach locales of "The White Lotus." Deceptively scary in the excellent 2020 remake of "The Invisible Man," British actor and model Oliver Jackson-Cohen knows how to frighten an audience while appearing non-threatening in the process. The Lee Strasberg classically trained actor has built a career around horrifying performances in "The Haunting of Hill House" and "The Haunting of Bly Manor," both projects that tested his range as a performer. Though not typically someone most viewers think of when casting for a dark comedy, Jackson-Cohen could dive into the deep end of "The White Lotus" Season 3 by appealing to his strengths as an educated actor while leaning on his shirtless modeling skills.

Josie Totah
Source: Instagram/@josietotah

Josie Totah

A standout inclusion to the revival of "Saved by the Bell," Josie Totah has gone from child actor to unique podcaster extraordinaire. A featured player in many popular television shows of the last decade, including "Glee" and "The Other Two," Totah deserves some attention as a scene stealer amongst a large ensemble cast. Totah will next be seen in the upcoming period drama "The Buccaneers," however, if Mike White can get her to join "The White Lotus" Season 3, the openly trans performer could introduce a lot of spice to a series well-versed in pushing the boundaries of entertainment.

Andrew Rannells
Source: Instagram/@andrewrannells

Andrew Rannells

A Broadway professional that has found his way onto many television screens in the last few years, Andrew Rannells shines bright in the comedy sphere. With recurring roles in "Girls," "Black Monday," and "Girls5eva," Rannells is always delightful in his execution of flamboyant and offbeat characters. A zany performer that can play bad just as easily as he can play the victim, we would love to see Rannells opposite another gay actor as the first same-sex married couple in a season of "The White Lotus." While the series is notable for its side characters that push the limits of depicting gay sex onscreen, having a principal cast member in a committed same-sex marriage in "The White Lotus" Season 3 would be a step up for the show.

Jeremy Pope poses for a portrait to promote "The Inspection" on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, in New York.
Source: Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP

Jeremy Pope

Another Broadway veteran whose career is just getting started on television and film, actor Jeremy Pope could easily slide into the depraved paradise of "The White Lotus." An unbelievable talent in Ryan Murphy's "Hollywood," Pope turned heads this year with a dark portrayal of a gay Marine in "The Inspection." With preposterously seductive eyes, the two-time Tony Award nominee and Primetime Emmy Award nominee has been hypnotizing audiences with his acting magic for years. A singing voice that would stun any naysayers, Pope could sizzle on screen alongside Janelle Monáe in a duet of any proportions. Or maybe that's just our hope.

Laura Dern, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "Marriage Story", poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Source: Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Laura Dern

A frequent collaborator of Mike White's since her days acting in his critically acclaimed HBO series "Enlightened," Academy Award winner Laura Dern could see the next phase of her career in an exotic location as part of "The White Lotus" Season 3. Hilariously devious in projects like "Marriage Story" and "Big Little Lies," Dern seems to love sinking her teeth into juicy roles crafted by talented writers. A star of blockbuster fare like "Jurassic Park" and independent features, Dern's voice can be heard in the first episode of "The White Lotus" Season 2 as Dominic Di Grasso's (Michael Imperioli) estranged wife while he talks to her on the phone. Could she appear as the same character in "The White Lotus" Season 3? We sure hope so.

Tom Hollander, left, and Jennifer Coolidge, right in "The White Lotus" Season 2.
Source: HBO

Jennifer Coolidge

"The White Lotus" might be an anthology series with a new set of actors and characters appearing in each season. But what would Mike White's Primetime Emmy Award-winning television series be without a supporting performance by Jennifer Coolidge? A staple of the series since its inception, Coolidge has deliriously portrayed the character of wealthy Tanya McQuoid for two seasons so far. Being one of the only characters to traverse both seasons of the show, Tanya is a mainstay to all of The White Lotus properties, giving her unique sense of narcissism and peculiarity to a hotel chain in desperate need of a bit of flair. Having Jennifer Coolidge reprise her role in "The White Lotus" Season 3 would tie the series together, even if all we can expect is to lean on Tanya's consistent instability.


by Matthew Creith

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