The White Lotus Season 4: Filming Set for the French Riviera
HBO's "The White Lotus" is preparing for its highly anticipated fourth season, with production scheduled to commence on the French Riviera. The luxurious Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez will serve as a primary filming location, with shooting expected to run from late April through late October. Series creator Mike White is developing the script, and the new season will introduce several prominent cast members, including Alexander Ludwig, AJ Michalka, Chris Messina, Helena Bonham Carter, and Steve Coogan. The show will maintain its signature format, delving into the lives of hotel guests and employees over a single week.
The fourth season of HBO's "The White Lotus" is scheduled to film along the French Riviera, primarily utilizing the Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez, France.
Production Kicks Off on the Côte d’Azur
France has been confirmed as the setting for the fourth season of "The White Lotus," marking the show's second European production. HBO officially announced the French location in November.
The Château de La Messardière, a 19th-century palace transformed into an opulent hotel in Saint-Tropez, will be a central backdrop. Part of the exclusive Airelles Collection, the property boasts suites reportedly priced between $3,000 and $8,000 per night, offering amenities such as a spa and direct beach access.
Filming is slated to begin in late April and continue until late October, with the overall production period anticipated to span approximately 10 months. The production will utilize multiple picturesque locations along the French Riviera, and plans also include filming some scenes at a hotel in Paris. Mike White, the series creator, has expressed his personal approach to location scouting, choosing places where he would enjoy an extended stay.
History of the Château de La Messardière
The Château de La Messardière has a rich history, originally built in the 19th century by wealthy cognac merchant Gabriel Dupuy d’Angeac. He later gifted it to his daughter, Louise, who converted it into a hotel after her husband's passing. By the 1920s, it had become a popular retreat for affluent Parisians. After a period of decline, the chateau underwent extensive restoration in 1989 and is now a flagship property within the Airelles group of luxury hotels.
Speculation suggests the Cannes Film Festival, typically held from May 13-26, could be woven into the storyline, aligning with the timing of filming on the Riviera.
New Cast and Creative Direction
Series creator Mike White is currently developing the script for the fourth season. White revealed his intention to scout locations for Season 4 after participating in "Survivor 50" in Fiji, viewing it as a valuable respite from his "White Lotus" commitments. His reality television background includes being the runner-up on "Survivor: David vs. Goliath" in 2018 and competing twice on "The Amazing Race" with his father, Mel.
The upcoming season will feature a fresh ensemble of talent, including:
- Alexander Ludwig
- AJ Michalka
- Chris Messina
- Helena Bonham Carter
- Steve Coogan
- Marissa Long
- Caleb Jonte Edwards
Casting is actively underway, with reports indicating a significant number of French actors are auditioning for roles.
Jennifer Coolidge, Natasha Rothwell, and Jon Gries are the only actors to have appeared in more than one season. However, Jennifer Coolidge's character met her demise at the end of Season Two, and Coolidge has publicly shared that she misses being part of the series. Mike White has noted that a two-week safari trip with Coolidge initially inspired the concept for "The White Lotus," during which he closely observed her personality.
Consistent with its established format, the plot of Season 4 will once again center on the interactions of hotel guests and employees over the course of a single week.
Mike White, David Bernad, and Mark Kamine are serving as executive producers for the series. Variety was the first to report the news regarding the filming location.