Everything We Know About White Lotus Season 4 So Far

White Lotus writer and creator Mike White is firing up the engines on his latest instalment in his Rich People Unravel on Vacation dramedy for HBO. Here’s everything that has us excited about the potential horrors that may be in store in the hit series’ fourth season.

Where Will White Lotus Season 4 Take Place?

The darkly comedic HBO drama, which always concerns itself with the personal dramas of a handful of painfully privileged American tourists on vacation, has spotlighted some of the world’s most enviable destinations since its premiere in 2021. Season 1 was set in the lush ocean paradise of Hawaii; Season 2 travelled to the ancient Mediterranean island of Sicily; and last season’s drama unfolded in the tropical paradise of Thailand.

Reports are that Season 4 will be set in France. One of the locations confirmed is a 19th-century castle in Saint Tropez, where rooms rates seem to start around $3,000 a night and rise exponentially from there. The Château de La Messardière’s location isn’t just cinematic; its spectacular setting at the centre of a vast park will likely develop a thematic vision, too—the dark heart of luxury, so to speak.

Helena Bonham Carter was *supposed* to lead the cast

The Emmy Award-winning series is more than its decadent backdrops; each season features a delightful mix of meme-worthy performances from both established stars like Parker Posey and Jason Isaacs to breakout turns from lesser knowns like Leo Woodall and Aimee Lou Wood.

Season 4 casting appears to maintain that balance between familiar star power and fresh faces. Leading the boldface names are Boogie Nights star, Heather Graham, Your Honor's Rosie Perez and The Crown’s Helena Bonham Carter. However, Bonham Carter left the show just a few days into filming, reportedly citing "creative differences."

An HBO executive explained the situation to Deadline in a statement: “With filming just underway on Season 4 of The White Lotus, it had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set."

On April 28, execs announced that Laura Dern had also joined the cast after Bonham Carter’s departure. Dern will not be replacing Bonham Carter’s role, however—White has reportedly dreamt up a new role for the 59-year-old American actress.

Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani, comedian Sandra Bernhard, U.K. comedy icon Steve Coogan and New Girl alum Max Greenfield are also set to star in this season, though no word on what roles they're playing. Newcomers Caleb Jonte Edwards, Charlie Hall—whose mom is Julia Louis Dreyfus—and Marissa Long have also been tapped for the cast.

Inspired by the locale, Variety announced in March that the series will also feature French movie star Vincent Cassel.

As of yet, there's no indication that any stars from previous seasons of White Lotus will be making repeat appearances, as both Natasha Rothwell and Jennifer Coolidge did. (Fingers crossed for Posey's return as pill-popping Southern belle Victoria Ratliff.)

What’s left to say about rich, mostly white people on holiday?

After three seasons of murder, mania and upmarket existential malaise, it’s hard to imagine what Mike White feels has been left unsaid—or undone—in the realm of the unhappy one percenters. The series has pushed the boundaries of taboo to its breaking point; case in point: last season memorably contained an incest storyline.

Just what’s new or gruesome enough to get people talking about the series again? These are the questions milling around in this fan’s mind. Season 4 starts shooting next month, so hopefully we'll have some answers by the end of the year. (There's no confirmed release date as of yet.)