Filming for Season 4 of the Emmy-winning show “The White Lotus” is well underway in France, and producer David Bernad is sharing some tidbits in regards to the upcoming season without revealing the plot. As he recently revealed, he and showrunner Mike White had an encounter with Cannes waitstaff that convinced them France was the right backdrop for the black comedy anthology series’ fourth season.
On the Cannes International Series Festival, “The White Lotus” producer David Bernad dished on how France was chosen as the placement for the show’s upcoming season. Showrunner Mike White initially had a listing of nations in mind, but an encounter several years ago convinced him that France was probably the most fitting environment for the thought he had brewing.
As Bernad noted, the interaction happened in 2021 in Cannes while they were attending the Canneseries Festival, per Variety. “We went to dinner and we had a extremely specific experience with a waiter and a maître d’, and it was the stereotype,” the producer said, without adding further details about what happened, only saying that it was “a funny moment.”
“And I believe that it suddenly unlocked what the show is and the dynamics of the show,” he continued. At that time, he and White eliminated all the opposite locations they were considering and decided then and there that they were shooting Season 4 in France.
David Bernad And Mike White Share The Focus Of Season 4
Before selecting France, White already had a general idea of what Season 4 could be about, with Bernad saying it will give attention to “the humanities and what it’s to be an artist.” Careful not to disclose anything further, the producer said the series will show “how fame could be corrosive and may dictate your decisions in life,” adding that Season 4 is the “funniest season” yet.
In an interview with W Magazine in February, White, who writes and directs the series, confirmed that Season 4 will likely be about fame. “Who has the world’s attention, who’s the plus-one, and the way that may organize a relationship. Some individuals are satisfied with the love of just an intimate partner, and a few people need the love of strangers and a much bigger sort of attention,” he explained.
How ‘Survivor’ Helped Mike White’s Storytelling For ‘The White Lotus’
White was a castaway on “Survivor” twice, the second time on Season 50, which is currently airing. The director took break day before starting work on “The White Lotus” Season 4 to hitch the truth series’ milestone season that features past players. In accordance with White, certainly one of the explanations he loves the show is seeing how the players react to and handle situations.
“It’s like a king’s court of intrigue and showing people under stress in these high stakes situations and the way they act… it’s getting some insight into the human mind and motivations, it’s really beneficial as a storyteller,” White told The Hollywood Reporter.
White revealed that he developed the characters and concept of “The White Lotus” Season 4 while he was on “Survivor 50,” adding that certainly one of his early thoughts was which character to kill in the brand new season.
Helena Bonham Carter Leaves ‘The White Lotus’
In January, Helena Bonham Carter was announced as a part of “The White Lotus” Season 4 solid. Filming began on April 15 on the French Riviera, but greater than every week later, it was reported that the English actress would not be a part of the series.
As The Blast previously reported, Carter’s character didn’t translate on set, and a few rewrites will likely be done. “The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will likely be recast in the approaching weeks,” the statement read. The news was met with disappointment from fans who were looking forward to seeing Carter within the highly anticipated season.
What Do We Know About ‘The White Lotus’ Season 4?
“The White Lotus” Season 4 is already in production, with filming happening across the French Riviera, including Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, and Paris. The story is about through the Cannes Film Festival, unfolding at luxury hotels comparable to the Airelles Château de la Messardière and Hôtel Martinez.
Season 4’s ensemble solid includes Heather Graham, Vincent Cassell, Kumail Nanjiani, Max Greenfield, Sandra Bernhard, Steve Coogan, Marissa Long, Frida Gustavsson, Rosie Perez, Ben Schnetzer, Chris Messina, AJ Michalka, Steve Coogan, and Alexander Ludwig.
An official date has not been announced, but “The White Lotus” Season 4 is anticipated to premiere sometime in 2027.