The White Lotus, created by Mike White, is back for a third season, and fans are eager to see what happens next. Before the show moves to Thailand, it’s important to remember where things left off. While each season has told a separate story, some characters have made appearances in multiple seasons.
One of the most memorable was Tanya, played by Jennifer Coolidge. Unfortunately, she met a tragic and darkly humorous end in Season 2. However, that does not mean that Season 3 will only feature new faces.
One confirmed returning character is Belinda, played by Natasha Rothwell, who worked as a spa employee in Season 1. Tanya had shown interest in helping Belinda start her own business but later changed her mind, leaving Belinda disappointed.
Season 2 took place in a luxurious White Lotus resort in Italy, where guests arrived expecting a relaxing vacation but instead faced unexpected twists and conflicts. The season was filled with lies, manipulation, and shocking moments.
Since the new season is set to premiere on HBO this Sunday, many viewers may need a refresher before jumping into the new storyline. The previous season included scandalous affairs, secrets, and surprising betrayals. Here is a complete recap of what happened in The White Lotus Season 2.
Also Read: The White Lotus Season 3 Nears Completion: What to Expect
The Complicated Relationships in The White Lotus Season 2
Cameron (played by Theo James) and Daphne (played by Meghann Fahy) arrive in Italy with another couple, Ethan (played by Will Sharpe) and Harper (played by Aubrey Plaza). Ethan and Harper have recently become wealthy, but they are still adjusting to their new financial situation.
This creates a clear contrast between them and Cameron and Daphne, who are used to privilege and luxury. Harper is particularly bothered by Cameron and Daphne’s attitudes and behaviors.
At the same time, Harper and Ethan are struggling with intimacy in their marriage. Harper makes several attempts to connect with Ethan, but he remains emotionally distant. Meanwhile, Cameron hires two local sex workers, Mia (played by Beatrice Grannò) and Lucia (played by Simona Tabasco). While Cameron cheats on Daphne with Lucia, Ethan chooses to remain loyal to Harper.
Later in the season, Harper and Cameron have a private moment that is not entirely shown on screen. It is unclear whether they only kissed or if something more happened. When Ethan finds out, he is upset and tells Daphne. Instead of reacting with anger, Daphne remains calm and appears to find her own way to deal with the situation.
The show hints that she has been aware of Cameron’s affairs and has had her own. She even suggests that their son may not be Cameron’s biological child.
Daphne and Ethan spend some time alone together, and although the details are not shown, the scene suggests that they may have been intimate.
Despite the complicated betrayals, Ethan and Harper end up reconnecting and rediscovering their passion for each other. The last time the audience sees them, both couples appear to be happy as they wait for their flight back home.
Mia and Lucia Change the Game at the White Lotus
Mia and Lucia, the two young women who work as sex workers, bring excitement and chaos to the season. The hotel manager, Valentina (played by Sabrina Impacciatore), tries to keep them out of the resort, but they manage to stay involved. Mia dreams of performing as a piano player in the hotel’s dining room, while Lucia sets her sights on wealthy guests.
One of these guests is Dominic (played by Michael Imperioli), who is dealing with the consequences of his past mistakes. His wife has left him because of his history of infidelity, and he turns to Lucia for companionship. Although he initially hires and then dismisses her, he later allows her to stay at the hotel by pretending she and Mia are his guests.
Dominic’s son, Albie (played by Adam DiMarco), arrives with his father and grandfather, Bert (played by F. Murray Abraham). Albie first becomes interested in Tanya’s assistant, Portia (played by Haley Lu Richardson), but she loses interest in him and starts spending time with Jack (played by Leo Woodall).
After that, Albie meets Lucia, and the two develop a romantic relationship. However, Albie does not realize that Lucia had originally been hired by his father.
During their time together, Lucia claims that she owes money to a dangerous man named Alessio (played by Lorenzo Scalzo), who pressures her to leave with him. Concerned for her safety, Albie asks his father for money to help her.
Dominic agrees to give the money but only if Albie helps fix his broken relationship with his mother. Later, it is revealed that Alessio was not actually Lucia’s pimp. Instead, he was just a friend who was part of a scheme to trick Albie into giving her money.
Meanwhile, Mia makes a bold move to achieve her goal of performing at the hotel. She convinces Giuseppe (played by Federico Scribani), the hotel’s pianist, to take a pill that he believes is Viagra. However, the pill causes him to overdose, and he has to be hospitalized.
With Giuseppe gone, Mia steps in as the new pianist. She also develops a romantic connection with Valentina, helping her become more comfortable with her own identity. By the end of the season, Mia secures her place as the hotel’s official piano player, and Valentina gains confidence in herself.
Tanya and Portia’s Dangerous Journey
Tanya and her husband, Greg (played by Jon Gries), are the only returning characters from the first season. Greg leaves Tanya alone in Italy, and his behavior raises suspicions about his true intentions.
During her stay, Tanya meets Quentin (played by Tom Hollander), who invites her to his villa. His “nephew,” Jack, forms a connection with Portia and takes her away from Tanya’s side.
Tanya starts noticing strange things, including an intimate moment between Quentin and Jack. She later discovers a photo of Quentin standing next to a younger Greg, making her suspect that something is wrong. Meanwhile, Portia realizes that Jack is acting suspiciously and tries to contact Tanya, but her phone is missing.
Jack keeps Portia away from Tanya, while Quentin introduces Tanya to Niccolò (played by Stefano Gianino), a man who is supposed to take her back to Sicily.
However, Tanya suspects that Niccolò has plans to harm her. While searching through his belongings, she finds a gun and panics. She shoots Quentin and the others before jumping overboard. Tragically, she hits her head on a boat and drowns.
At the airport, Portia and Albie meet again and exchange numbers. Albie tells her about the bodies found in the ocean, leading Portia to realize that Tanya may have been killed.
What’s Next for The White Lotus?
It is not yet clear whether any Season 2 characters will return in Season 3 or if there will be any direct connections to past events. The new season will feature a fresh group of guests at a White Lotus resort in Thailand. However, with Belinda returning from Season 1, there is a possibility that familiar faces may appear again.
The White Lotus remains a series full of unexpected twists, dramatic moments, and fascinating characters. As fans prepare for Season 3, the mysteries and relationships from past seasons continue to leave a lasting impact.
The White Lotus is available for streaming on Max in the U.S. Season 3 premieres on February 16.
