[Editor’s note: The following contains some spoilers for Season 3 of The White Lotus.]

From the creative mind of Mike White, the eight-episode third season of the acclaimed HBO series <em>The White Lotus</em> transports viewers to an exclusive Thai resort, where guests immerse themselves in a world of relaxation, luxury, and indulgence. Among the diverse group of vacationers are childhood friends Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon), who appear to be on a celebratory getaway. However, beneath the surface of their seemingly joyful trip lies a web of tension and jealousy, hinting that their friendship may not be as idyllic as it seems. As the days unfold, the simmering unrest among them threatens to erupt into chaos.

In a recent interview with Collider, Bibb and Coon shared insights about their real-life shared text thread, their excitement to collaborate, the importance of maintaining character appearances, and how Mike White genuinely understands the complexities of these women. They also discussed the collaborative nature of the set, revealing that many of the cast members barely interacted with each other, and expressed a desire to have spent more time with certain co-stars.

Exploring Childhood Connections: Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, and Carrie Coon Discuss Their Bond Before Filming Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’

“We were just on this great text thread.”

Collider: When did the three of you meet? Did you know each other at all?

LESLIE BIBB: I had the pleasure of seeing Carrie perform in a play some time ago. She starred in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and while I couldn’t recall who played Martha, I distinctly remembered Honey because of her remarkable performance.

CARRIE COON: You’re so kind.

BIBB: When I learned that Carrie was joining our cast, I was thrilled. Soon after, we initiated a text thread with Michelle [Monaghan].

COON: I remember there was a shoe exchange or something that took place in L.A.

BIBB: Indeed, we had a delightful Valentino clothing exchange in the parking lot of Bristol Farms. I had just flown in and was trying to coordinate fittings before leaving, and Carrie asked if I could deliver some clothes to Michelle for her to try on. I had seen Michelle briefly before, but we had never really met. We ended up having this wonderful text thread where we shared childhood photos, which was incredibly enjoyable.

COON: It was a fun way to reconnect with our past. I almost forgot we did that!

BIBB: We discovered our common roots in the Midwest.

COON: Typically, only one of us would appear in a show, so having three women of the same age sharing the screen is truly a pleasure.

BIBB: Absolutely, it’s a lovely experience.

It sounds like you guys are way more meant to be friends than your characters.

COON: Perhaps that’s true.

BIBB: I’m not so sure. I think they might surprise you.

Insights from Leslie Bibb and Carrie Coon on the True Nature of Their Characters’ Relationships in ‘The White Lotus’

“The lie they tell themselves is that they really care.”

Do you believe they entered this situation with the best of intentions, or were they waiting for each other’s downfalls to boost their own self-esteem?

COON: I think there’s always an underlying anticipation for that. For Laurie, she seems to have enjoyed some unforgettable vacations in the past and aims to recapture that energy because her current life is not as fulfilling. However, she’s not being honest with her friends about the true state of her life, leading to a facade of keeping up appearances.

BIBB: I believe that applies to all of them; they are all maintaining a façade.

COON: Even when they appear genuine, they are concealing their true selves.

BIBB: The deception they engage in is convincing themselves that they genuinely care. There are moments when Kate asserts, “I really am concerned about this,” and we see a blend of genuine care and hidden motives when it comes to Jaclyn.

COON: She’s a public figure.

BIBB: Her life appears to be effortless.

COON: The tendency to compare oneself to others is a universal human trait. We’re conditioned to do so, often leading women to feel competitive and isolated from one another.

BIBB: Typically, only one woman would occupy a role like this, so to have all three of us together is both thrilling and daunting. I felt a responsibility not to let the others down because they are such remarkable talents. I vividly recall a scene where Carrie, in a moment of anger, discovered something about Jaclyn. My performance felt chaotic, but Carrie was incredible, channeling her rage while simultaneously eating breakfast and spinning her plate. It was a captivating experience to witness such talent up close, and it fueled my own creativity.

COON: Mike truly grasps Kate as a character. There were numerous instances where you could hear him laughing at the monitor. If you heard Mike chuckling during a take, it meant he found it genuinely funny.

BIBB: That often resulted in take interruptions as he would laugh loudly, making it difficult to continue. The real challenge was when there was complete silence from the monitor.

COON: He completely understands Kate and would often burst into laughter.

BIBB: Isn’t it fascinating how he captures the essence of every character? He has a deep understanding of Chelsea as well. I believe we each reflect different aspects of him.

COON: A skilled writer naturally comprehends the characters they create.

BIBB: Every character is a fragment of his personality.

It’s rare for a single individual to take on the roles of writer and director consistently across multiple seasons. Rather than being a dictatorial force, Mike White fosters a collaborative atmosphere. What was your experience working with him?

BIBB: He creates space for creativity.

COON: He values the script, but he’s not rigid about it, even when the dialogue is exceptional.

BIBB: When it’s significant, he insists it be executed well. However, if you come up with something new, he embraces it and keeps the atmosphere relaxed.

COON: There’s a deep intentionality behind his vision. He understands exactly what he wants, yet he allows flexibility in how to achieve it. Being an actor himself, Mike recognizes that every performer has a unique process and adapts his approach accordingly, making it a genuinely collaborative experience. He also recognizes distinctive qualities in each actor and amplifies those traits in the performance.

BIBB: Sometimes, you might suggest something, and he incorporates it into the show.

COON: Like any adept writer, he absorbs ideas from the cast because he’s always tuned in. Be cautious about what you say, as it might find its way into the script.

BIBB: I asked him how he conceived these three women. He recounted observing three women at a resort, unable to distinguish them until one would leave and the other two would begin discussing her, allowing him to differentiate their personalities.

COON: He was inspired by that idea.

BIB