Everything we know about The White Lotus season 2
Last year, HBO's The White Lotus astounded us with its parallel portrayals of the arrogant, needy rich guests at a high-class Hawaiian resort and the local service staff who struggled to meet their many needs. Originally billed as a miniseries, The White Lotus has since been renewed for season 2 by HBO. Don't expect to follow the same characters, though — or even return to the same setting.
Here's what we know so far.
Fabio Lovino/HBO The staff of the Sicilian resort welcome viewers to 'The White Lotus' season 2.
When will White Lotus season 2 premiere and how can I watch?
The White Lotus season 2 premieres at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 30 via HBO and HBO Max. This season will consist of seven episodes, set over the course of one week. Season 1 was six episodes.
Where will it be set?
In the universe of the show, the White Lotus is an international chain of expensive resorts. Whereas season 1 was set at a resort in Hawaii, season 2 will take place at a White Lotus resort in Sicily. The real-life Four Seasons San Domenico Palace is the filming location, just as the Four Seasons Resort Maui stood in for the White Lotus location in season 1.
The change in setting was for both thematic and practical reasons, as The White Lotus creator/writer/director Mike White explained to EW before the end of season 1.
"I would do another season because I feel like there's a way to get at some new themes and do it in a way that feels fresh from this one," White told EW.
He continued, "we would go somewhere different because there's no way we could be able to afford the Four Seasons in Maui, not in a pandemic."
Who's in it and who do they play?
The cast for season 2 The White Lotus consists of several groups of related characters, who will no doubt bounce between each other over the course of the story.
F. Murray Abraham stars as elderly patriarch Bert Di Grasso, who is traveling to Sicily with his son Dominic Di Grasso (The Sopranos star Michael Imperioli) and grandson Elbie Di Grasso (Adam DiMarco). Bert is getting frail but still sees himself as virile and capable. Dominic is a Hollywood producer, and Elbie is a recent college graduate. They're on this trip together to explore their family's ancestral roots.
Jennifer Coolidge and Jon Gries reprise their roles from season 1 as Tanya McQuoid-Hunt and Greg Hunt, newly married after meeting at the Hawaii resort. Tanya is bringing along her new assistant, Portia (Haley Lu Richardson), which makes Greg less than pleased.
Aubrey Plaza will play Harper Spiller, a woman on vacation with her husband Ethan Spiller (Will Sharpe) alongside Ethan's college roommate Cameron Babcock (Theo James) and his wife Daphne (Meghann Fahy). Cameron is a wildly successful businessman from a wealthy family, while Ethan is only recently wealthy after finding professional success.
Rounding out the guests, Tom Hollander appears as English expatriate Quentin, who is vacationing with his nephew Jack (Leo Woodall), who makes for a magnetic guest.
On the other side of the front desk, Sabrina Impacciatore plays Valentina, the manager of the Sicilian resort who expects perfection from her staff. This character seems analogous to Murray Bartlett's Armond — though for her sake, hopefully she has less baggage to deal with. Beatrice Grannò plays Mia, a Silician local and talented singer in search of her big break, while Simona Tabasco plays Lucia, a Sicilian local who frequents the White Lotus resort in search of work and opportunity amongst the wealthy clientele.
Is there a trailer?
Yes! Watch the new trailer for season 2 below:
The White Lotus season 2 premieres on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
Check out our daily must-see picks — plus news, celeb interviews, trivia, and more — on EW's What to Watch podcast.
Related content: