When does The White Lotus return and what to expect from season 2

The White Lotus was the hit HBO show that captured the attention of viewers across the world thanks to its off-beat humor, risque themes (and scenes - who could forget that moment with the suitcase?!), and stellar cast, it's no wonder there has been so much interest in when The White Lotus will return. 

It wasn't just the viewers who received The White Lotus well; the series was also met with much critical acclaim, garnering 20 Emmy nominees, with eight of these for cast members in the show. Jennifer Coolidge, who played the erratic Tanya, a woman visiting the resort in order to spread her mother's ashes, scooped her first-ever Emmy award. 

Season two of the anthology series will focus on a brand new cast of characters who find themselves at a White Lotus property, this time located in Sicily. While the first season of The White Lotus focused on themes of social class and privilege, it looks like season two will take a different direction. Producers have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the plot so far, but if the first season is anything to go by, it's bound to be a big hit. This is when The White Lotus is set to return and what to expect from The White Lotus season two... 

When does The White Lotus return?

Good news! You don't have to wait long until The White Lotus season two is nearly here. HBO confirmed that the new series will premiere on October 30, 2022. 

What to expect from season 2 of The White Lotus

Jennifer Coolidge is the only star we're expecting to see in the second season of The White Lotus after the actor confirmed her return back in 2021. However, we also capture a glimpse of Theo James and Meghann Fahy as a married couple from season one named Cameron and Daphne Babcockin in The White Lotus season two trailer. It's unclear yet exactly how Tanya, played by Jennifer Coolidge, will appear in the second season and whether she'll be following the same storyline as her character in The White Lotus' first season. 

New stars set to appear on the show include Sopranos actor Michael Imperioli, who will play Dominic Di Grasso, a hotel guest who is part of a three-generational family who has traveled back to their ancestral home, as well as Aubrey Plaza of Parks and Recreation fame, who will play Harper Spiller, a wife on vacation with her husband and his friends.

Season one of The White Lotus focused on themes of colonialism and entitlement, while season two looks set to take an entirely new approach. White has described this season as, “a bedroom farce with teeth,” according to an interview with the producer from Vulture. 

The publication continues, "White has pulled back from writing about the power dynamics between guests and employees; here in Sicily, he was drawn to the myths of masculinity and femininity and to one of his recurring fascinations: the particularities of jealousy, especially of the sexual kind."

HBO is yet to comment explicitly on the plot of the new season, but back in August 2021, they did release a statement revealing that season two, "leaves Hawaii behind and follows a different group of vacationers as they jet to another White Lotus property and settle in temporarily amongst its inhabitants."

The second season of The White Lotus will also be longer than the first season. Season one included six episodes, but the upcoming season will feature seven.