‘The White Lotus‘ is going to the French Riviera for its next season. The HBO show has already made fun of fancy resorts in Hawaii, dangerous cliffs in Sicily, and wellness places in Thailand.
Now Season 4 is taking on the Cannes Film Festival. They started filming in April with a reported budget of $120 million, making it one of the most expensive TV shows ever made.
The Real Villain of ‘White Lotus’ Season 4
However, the real star of the season might not be a killer. According to producer David Bernad, the villain is a rude Parisian waiter.
Related: Livvy Dunne Opens Up About Losing ‘White Lotus’ Role As Potential Debut
“We went to dinner, and we had a really specific experience with a waiter and a maître d’, and it was the stereotype,” Bernad said at a festival panel per Variety. “It was a very funny moment. And I think that it suddenly unlocked what the show is and the dynamics of the show.“
That one moment changed everything. Bernad said, “We literally canceled all the other places we were going. We were like, okay, we’re shooting here.”
‘White Lotus’ Season 4 Plot
The story follows two movie teams who show up at the festival with competing films and old grudges. One group stays at a flashy hotel on the Croisette, the Hôtel Martinez. The other stays in a fancy hilltop place in Saint-Tropez called the Château de la Messardière.
In case you missed it: ‘The White Lotus’ Heads To France In Season 4 But With A Big Change
Bernad explained what the season is really about. “Who has the world’s attention? Who are the people that can grab the world’s attention?” he said. “Who are the plus-one in a relationship? Who’s the person that has that power and how that shapes a dynamic.”
‘White Lotus’ Season 4 Cast and Release Window
The cast is huge. It includes Vincent Cassel as the hotel manager, plus Steve Coogan and Kumail Nanjiani. Helena Bonham Carter was originally in it but left after less than a week. The reason was “creative differences” over her role as a washed up star. Laura Dern stepped in to replace her.
Filming will take seven months around the Riviera and Paris. The crew plans to rebuild the film festival right after the real Cannes ends in May. With that big budget and a mission to make fun of the movie business, Season 4 should be the sharpest and funniest one yet. As Bernad said, that rude waiter “unlocked” the whole next chapter. The show will likely come out in late 2026 or early 2027.
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