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 about 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 perfect backdrop for the black comedy anthology series’ fourth season.
At the Cannes International Series Festival, “The White Lotus” producer David Bernad dished on how France was chosen as the location for the show’s upcoming season. Showrunner Mike White initially had a list of countries in mind, but an encounter several years ago convinced him that France was the most fitting environment for the idea 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 really 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 think that it suddenly unlocked what the show is and the dynamics of the show,” he continued. At that point, he and White eliminated all the other 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 choosing France, White already had a general idea of what Season 4 would be about, with Bernad saying it would focus on “the arts and what it is to be an artist.” Careful not to reveal anything further, the producer said the series will show “how fame can be corrosive and can dictate your choices 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 be about fame. “Who has the world’s attention, who is the plus-one, and how that can organize a relationship. Some people are satisfied with the love of just an intimate partner, and some people need the love of strangers and a bigger kind 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 time off before starting work on “The White Lotus” Season 4 to join the reality series’ milestone season that includes past players. According to White, one of the reasons 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 how they act… it’s getting some insight into the human mind and motivations, it’s really valuable 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 one of his early thoughts was which character to kill in the new season.
Helena Bonham Carter Leaves ‘The White Lotus’
In January, Helena Bonham Carter was announced as part of “The White Lotus” Season 4 cast. Filming began on April 15 on the French Riviera, but more than a week later, it was reported that the English actress would no longer be part of the series.
As The Blast previously reported, Carter’s character did not translate on set, and some rewrites will be done. “The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will be recast in the coming weeks,” the statement read. The news was met with disappointment from fans who were looking forward to seeing Carter in 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 taking place across the French Riviera, including Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, and Paris. The story is set during the Cannes Film Festival, unfolding at luxury hotels such as the Airelles Château de la Messardière and Hôtel Martinez.
Season 4’s ensemble cast 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 expected to premiere sometime in 2027.