On April 6, 2025, TV viewers waved goodbye to The White Lotus's latest ensemble, as the season 3 finale ended with shocking choices and heartbreaking deaths. After weeks of theories, memes, and character style analysis, we bid adieu to Koh Samui, Thailand, from our new favorite trio of lifelong frenemies to the Ratliffs' spiritual awakenings to the coda to Belinda, Greg, and Tanya's multi-season arc.
Of course, as with real-life vacations, fans are already dreaming of the next getaway. The White Lotus was renewed for its fourth season in January 2025 (before season 3 even aired), so it's time to gather the clues of what's next for the Emmy-winning hit. Below, read on for everything we know about The White Lotus season 4 so far.
When will 'The White Lotus' season 4 be released?
HBO hasn't revealed a possible release date for season 4, but we have received a few updates. In January 2026, Variety reported that filming is set to begin in late April and last until October. This aligns with a previous report by the outlet, upon the season 4 renewal announcement, that HBO was eyeing production to start sometime this year.
Should the series meet that production timeline, it's possible we could see new episodes start airing at the very end of 2026; however, it's more likely that season 4 will premiere in early 2027.
Where will 'The White Lotus' season 4 be set?
The White Lotus season 4 is set to head to France. According to a report from Deadline in September 2025, HBO and creator Mike White have "zeroed in" on France as the location for the next installment. One month later, Variety reported the specific locales where the show would be shot: Paris and the French Riviera.
As of January, we also know exactly which hotel will transform into the fictional White Lotus. For scenes shot in the French Riviera, the luxury stay Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez, located on the Mediterranean coastline, will host the new cast of characters. Past seasons have utilized various Four Seasons locations, but this five-star hotel is part of the Airelles Collection. It pulls out all the stops for its guests, too: Suites range from $3,000 to over $8,000, and guests can enjoy an on-site spa, beach access via a Rolls-Royce, no less, various restaurants, and more.
It's yet to be confirmed, but we may also have an idea of where the series plans to film in the City of Lights. Variety reports that HBO is considering several options: the five-star hotel Le Lutetia, located along the Seine in Saint-Germain des Prés, and the five-star Ritz Paris in the 1st arrondissement. Both hotels have rich histories and were artist denizens in the early 20th century.
It's been known that European vacation was the plan for the HBO mainstay's fourth season for some time. At the time of season 3's release in February, White and HBO exec Francesca Orsi said Europe was a "likely" setting for future episodes.
Orsi said, "I can’t really say where we’re going to land but chances are somewhere in Europe...some countries on the map that we talked about, but nothing to report on until they actually go locations scouting.”
While some fans have been hoping The White Lotus would switch it up and go après-ski, it makes sense that it's headed to the French Riviera instead. Why? Boss White can't stand the cold. Producer David Bernad made that point in an early 2025 The Hollywood Reporter interview. He said, "I’d bet $100,000 we don’t end up in the cold next...Even if we flirted with the idea, Mike just wouldn’t want to be in the cold. He hates it."
Who will join the cast for 'The White Lotus' season 4?
Bonjour to the first stars cast in The White Lotus season 4! In late December 2025, Deadline reported the initial guests who are set to check into the new season. According to the outlet, AJ Michalka, a former Disney Channel star and one-half of indie rock sister duo Aly and AJ, and Alexander Ludwig of Vikings fame are among the leads.
Details on their characters are being kept under wraps, but it’s safe to say the news sent social media into a tizzy. The White Lotus will mark Michalka’s first major, dramatic leading role in years. As for Ludwig, the internet has already dug up his thirst traps and is ready for the Canadian actor’s star-making moment. Plus, it’s perhaps worth noting that Ludwig is a musician himself. Could the two be playing a vacationing (potentially insufferable) celebrity musical duo? We'd like to see it!
Fans will have to wait and see who else is joining the ensemble in the coming weeks and months. Deadline previously reported that Helena Bonham Carter is in talks for another leading role, though that has yet to be confirmed.
What characters will return for 'The White Lotus' season 4?
One of the biggest questions surrounding a new season of The White Lotus is which previous stars could return for another round. So far, three characters have appeared in multiple seasons: Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), who tragically died in season 2; her ex-husband Greg/Gary, (Jon Gries) who likely had her killed and is living large off her fortune in Thailand; and Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), who accepts $5 million in hush money from Greg in the season 3 finale. This trio's storyline comes full circle by the end of season 3, so this could be the last we see of them. However, Rothwell and Gries have both said they are up to return for season 4, so who knows?
As for who else could return for season 4, all the guests from season 3 are fair game, except for the dearly departed Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). And there are certainly several characters from past iterations that could be up for another vacation.
The cast and crew have alluded to as much. During a THR roundtable, Patrick Schwarzenegger (who played Saxon) brought up the possibility of an all-star season with multiple returning cast members, to which White replied, "I’d love to do that."
"They could get all the douche guys in one hotel together," Schwarzenegger added. "Mike said that one day when we were on set, he was like, 'Oh my God, it’d be so good to get you, Jake Lacy, and Theo James in the same room.'"
HBO CEO Casey Bloys added, "Maybe Molly Shannon’s character and Victoria Ratliff know each other? There are so many connections between all these awful people."
We're starting a prayer circle now for that last pairing—as well as the return of Meghann Fahy's season 2 fan-favorite character, Daphne. We can't wait to check back in!
What will 'The White Lotus' season 4 be about?
HBO and Mike White keep the plot of The White Lotus tightly under wraps, but one thing is for sure: As always, the upcoming installment will follow the guests and staff at a White Lotus hotel over one week. We know season 4 will be set in France and perhaps the most interesting rumor that's come out is that some of the series plans to film during the Cannes Film Festival. As Variety noted, with filming beginning in late spring and Cannes taking place from May 13 to 26th, the timelines do line up. With that in mind, at least some of the season could be about an international movie star, filmmaker, or Hollywood executive who has to attend the film festival for a premiere or special event, as well as perhaps their disgruntled team.
While the show always explores privilege and power dynamics, White also tends to center it around a certain theme. (Season 1 was about money, season 2 focused on sex, and season 3 was about spirituality.) It's unclear what season 4 will be about, but many fans suspect the showrunner is turning his attention to concepts like art, fame, and beauty—and if part of the season is set to shoot at Cannes, that sounds about right.
