Latest news with #DavidBernad
Elle
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Jason Isaacs Reveals How Much Each 'White Lotus' Actor Made on Season 3
Jason Isaacs is letting White Lotus fans in on a little pay transparency. In a recent interview with Vulture, the actor confirmed that everyone on season 3 of the HBO show got paid $40,000 per episode. 'That's absolutely true,' he said. 'Generally actors don't talk about pay in public because it's ridiculously disproportionate to what we do—putting on makeup and funny voices—and just upsets the public. But compared to what people normally get paid for big television shows, that's a very low price. But the fact is, we would have paid to be in it. We probably would have given a body part.' But did he feel weird about being paid the same as his other, less-experienced co-stars? 'I never work for money,' he shared. 'I mean, I've done all right. People will think I have huge stockpiles of money, but sadly, what I've done rather immaturely is expand my outgoings to match my incomings and pretty much spent everything I've earned over the years.' In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer David Bernad spoke more about the show's salary policy. 'Everyone is treated the same on The White Lotus,' he said. 'They get paid the same, and we do alphabetical billing, so you're getting people who want to do the project for the right reasons, not to quote The Bachelor. It's a system we developed in the first season because there was no money to make the show.' Casting director Meredith Tucker echoed similar sentiments, 'It makes it so much easier. You tell people this is what it is. And some won't do it—and honestly, you can't hold it against people who need to make a living.' 'And it's not negotiable,' Bernad added.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Jason Isaacs Talks Pay For The White Lotus And Harry Potter
On each season of The White Lotus, the cast has been made up of a range of actors, from young newcomers to household names, and even some fully-fledged Oscar winners. However, when it comes to the money, it's very much an even playing field. In a behind-the-scenes interview with the Hollywood Reporter ahead of the Season 3 finale in April, it was revealed that The White Lotus has a pretty unconventional pay policy, whereby all actors — no matter how well-known or experienced they might be — get paid the same amount per episode. 'Everyone is treated the same on The White Lotus. They get paid the same, and we do alphabetical billing, so you're getting people who want to do the project for the right reasons, not to quote The Bachelor,' explained producer David Bernad. 'It's a system we developed in the first season because there was no money to make the show.' Multiple sources suggested that the pay for actors in Season 3 was around $40,000 per episode. And while that's still a ton of money, casting director Meredith Tucker revealed that it has deterred some stars from being on the show. 'You tell people this is what it is, and some won't do it,' she said. 'And honestly, you can't hold it against people who need to make a living. Our series regulars are pretty much doing this for scale.' When this interview came out, the pay system was widely praised by fans who suggested that it's the key to making 'a good ensemble show' and avoiding unnecessary conflict between the actors. And now, one of the Season 3 stars has weighed in. Speaking in a new interview with Vulture, Jason Isaacs, who played the troubled Tim Ratliff, confirmed that he and his costars were, in fact, paid $40,000 per episode, calling it 'a very low price' for such a wildly successful show. 'I didn't know that was public knowledge. That's absolutely true,' he said. 'Generally, actors don't talk about pay in public because it's ridiculously disproportionate to what we do — putting on makeup and funny voices — and just upsets the public. But compared to what people normally get paid for big television shows, that's a very low price. But the fact is, we would have paid to be in it. We probably would have given a body part.' Thanks to his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movie franchise, Jason was probably one of the better-known actors in the Season 3 cast lineup when it was first announced. Despite this, he was OK with getting paid the same as the younger and less experienced stars in the cast, like Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola, who played his kids. 'Do I mind that I wasn't paid more than other people? I never work for money,' he said, before giving some insight into his personal finances. 'I've done all right. People will think I have huge stockpiles of money, but sadly, what I've done rather immaturely is expand my outgoings to match my incomings and pretty much spent everything I've earned over the years.' You know what, Jason, I love your attitude. You can find the full Vulture interview here.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Where will White Lotus Season 4 Take Place? Fans debate Max shows next site
As season three of Max's explosively popular White Lotus concluded Sunday, people are already eager for more. Fans fell in love with the glittering beauty of past seasons locations Maui, Sicily and Thailand, so where will guests of the coveted fictional resort land this time? Although no official announcements have been made, here's where fans are speculating. Here are four possibilities. Whether it's the luxurious capital of Vienna or the vast, mountainous beauty of Salzburg, Austria offers breathtaking beauty paired with high society allure; typical of White Lotus locations. But don't expect to see guests hitting the ski slopes of the alps, according to producer David Bernad, White Lotus writer and director Mike White hates the cold. Athens boasts ancient wonders of civilization while also being a hub for legendary nightlife. The show often includes elements of mythology into storylines, and Greece is home to the most famous tales in history. In perfect White Lotus fashion, the city also hosts sophisticated resorts where guests can luxuriate in the impossibly blue water of the Mediterranean, making it the ideal backdrop for mystery and drama. Since the first three seasons of White Lotus were filmed on location at Four Seasons Hotels, fans theorize the next spot for guests will be the opulent Four Seasons in Sultanahmet nestled in the heart of historic Istanbul. Rife with cultural significance and enthralling sites like the Hagia Sophia, this bi-continental city is a promising destination for these ever-so secretive guests. The White Lotus resorts wouldn't be complete without a relaxing climate, ostentatious wealth and a couple of yachts; all three of which can be found at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Located on a peninsula in the French Riviera (nicknamed the Peninsula of billionaires), Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is the epitome of grandeur. It only makes sense that guests of the exclusive resort would find themselves here. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Max's 'The White Lotus' has options for season 4
Buzz Feed
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
This New Revelation About How Much 'The White Lotus' Actors Are Paid Is So Smart, And People Think It Should Be 'The Standard'
As I'm sure you know, there are many stars in Season 3 of The White Lotus — from a K-pop icon to Lucius Malfoy himself. However, if you're an actor looking for a big paycheck, it sounds like The White Lotus is not the place for you. Ahead of the Season 3 finale on Sunday, the show's cast and crew sat down with the Hollywood Reporter to share some behind-the-scenes secrets — including the unconventional pay policy. 'Everyone is treated the same on The White Lotus. They get paid the same, and we do alphabetical billing, so you're getting people who want to do the project for the right reasons, not to quote The Bachelor,' explained producer David Bernad. 'It's a system we developed in the first season because there was no money to make the show.' For context, Season 1 of The White Lotus came out in 2021 and starred the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Sydney Sweeney, and Lukas Gage. The first season was shot in Hawaii under COVID-19 restrictions and cost under $4 million per episode — significantly less than Season 3, where each episode reportedly cost around $6 million to $7 million. Multiple sources told the Hollywood Reporter that the pay for actors in Season 3 is around $40,000 per episode. Casting director Meredith Tucker said that ensuring everyone receives the same amount makes things 'much easier' — even if it deters some actors from being on the show. 'You tell people this is what it is,' she said. 'And some won't do it — and honestly, you can't hold it against people who need to make a living. Our series regulars are pretty much doing this for scale.' On X, fans have praised the approach to salaries, as well as the added revelation that all actors must audition, no matter how famous and experienced they may be. Plenty of users said factors like these are likely key to making ' a good ensemble show ' and avoiding unnecessary conflict between the actors. Others suggested it should be ' the standard ' on TV shows. 'sorry but this is really how most projects should be… especially in this era of people (who have never even acted) getting automatically cast in projects because they have a huge number of instagram followers… and the arbitrary pay disparities between talent in general,' read one post. Praising the show's creator, director, and writer, another user wrote: 'That's why nepotism never works for Mike White he said TALENT first.' Some users speculated that the non-negotiable pay policy might be why we ' don't see A-listers ' on the show. With that in mind, the Hollywood Reporter article included a story from two sources who claimed that Woody Harrelson — who initially signed on to play Rick, Walton Goggins' character — went 'all the way to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to see if his salary could be negotiated.' His request was denied, which apparently didn't stop him from signing on for the show; however, he eventually dropped out due to scheduling issues. What's more, the report suggests that Woody was also considered to play Frank, the friend of Rick's we meet in Episode 5, who Sam Rockwell ultimately played. I wonder if this means Woody's locked in for Season 4? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Los Angeles Times
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘The White Lotus' critiques luxury tourism while also promoting it with partnerships
When it premiered back in 2021, 'The White Lotus' was a sharp class satire aimed at skewering high-end tourism and the elite one-percenters willing to pay $9,000 a night to relax. Written and directed by Mike White, the darkly comic mystery followed the entitled guests and beleaguered employees at a luxurious Maui hotel over the course of an increasingly tense week. A destination that was supposed to be a refuge from the world's problems instead became a microcosm for them, a place where the class divide and legacy of American imperialism were on vivid display. 'The White Lotus,' which was filmed its first season on location at the Four Seasons in Maui, somehow made an exclusive resort seem like a toxic pressure cooker. Working there was not just soul-crushing, it could even kill you. Season 2, a bedroom farce set at a gorgeous beachfront resort in Sicily, looked at sex, money and power. Both installments lampooned the wealthy and depicted people dying under tragic circumstances in picturesque locations. And perhaps counterintuitively, both seasons led to a tourism boom in the filming locations. Somehow, a show that sharply critiqued luxury travel also functioned as a glossy advertisement for it. This contradiction is even more pronounced in Season 3 of 'The White Lotus,' which premiered on HBO last month. Set on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand, the latest installment follows tradition by opening with a dead body. But it also explores new themes, including the clash between Western materialism and Eastern spirituality, particularly Buddhism. This season's fictional White Lotus is known for its wellness program. Guests are encouraged to put away their phones for the duration of their stay and avail themselves of offerings like yoga, meditation and massage. Hollywood movies and TV shows tend to focus on the more decadent aspects of Thai culture — from the all-night Full Moon Party to sex tourism in Bangkok. The team behind 'The White Lotus' wanted to showcase other sides of the country. 'Obviously that exists here, but it doesn't define Thai culture,' executive producer David Bernad said in a phone interview last month from Bangkok, where the show was having a splashy local premiere attended by its cast, including Thai-born K-pop star Lalisa Manobal, a.k.a. Blackpink's Lisa, who stars as a worker at the hotel. 'What we attempted to do is depict Thailand in an authentic way — the beauty of the people and the culture — in a way that hopefully brings more positive interest back to Thailand.' The season was made in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Four Seasons, which once again served as a filming location for the series. The government of Thailand also offered generous tax rebates to the production. HBO collaborated with a slew of brands to create an array of 'White Lotus'-inspired products, including $98 scented candles, $48 sunscreen, $325 overnight bags, $725 dresses and $4.50 flavored coffee creamers. Despite its often dark themes and cynical take on humanity, the show clearly has become an aspirational marketing vehicle for brands across the spectrum. Why, exactly, is a show about terrible people behaving badly (and dying) so appealing to these companies? 'I genuinely don't know the answer. It's a very weird thing,' Bernad said. 'It's surreal, knowing that the original construction of the show was so intimate and small. For me, it still feels strange that anyone is paying attention.' Given what a pop culture juggernaut 'The White Lotus' has become, it is easy to forget it was conceived as a stopgap — a show that could be made quickly and safely in a single, isolated location during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when HBO was in desperate need of fresh programming. The original plan was to film in Australia, where strict lockdowns helped keep the pandemic in check. When that proved too difficult, Hawaii became the obvious choice. The setting offered stunning natural beauty but also rich themes to explore, particularly American colonialism and the plight of Native Hawaiians. Similarly, Season 2 was almost set in France but wound up in Sicily after a scouting trip to Taormina, where a tour guide told them the legend behind the decorative moor's head statues found in the region that became a motif in the series. 'That was the kickoff to Mike wanting to write this bedroom farce season about sexual politics,' Bernad said. Season 3 was always envisioned as an 'exploration of Eastern versus Western philosophy,' Bernad said. But Plan A was to film in Japan, a country where they'd been keen to make something for years. Largely as a courtesy to HBO, White and Bernad also visited Thailand. (White had negative associations with Koh Samui in particular because he'd been sequestered on the island after getting eliminated from 'The Amazing Race.') But ultimately they were charmed by the country and its people. White also was struck by a fit of inspiration when he came down with bronchitis while in the city of Chiang Mai. He was treated with potent steroids and 'hallucinated the entire season,' Bernad said. 'Honestly, the next day, we were scouting in the van, and he told me about his dream. It's basically what we shot — his steroid-induced dream.' Relocating the show to Thailand, where more than 90% of the population is Buddhist, 'allowed us to explore Buddhism as a religion and a philosophy,' Bernad said. One of their creative goals was presenting a more nuanced version of Thai culture than is typical of Western media. 'It's usually like 'The Hangover Part II,' exploiting the darker side of Bangkok. But that's not what we set out to do,' he said. One of the characters this season, Piper Ratliff (Sarah Catherine Hook), is a religious studies major who has dragged her wealthy Southern family to Thailand so that she can interview a Buddhist monk for her thesis. Her spiritual curiosity is baffling to her family, who are skeptical of the many wellness offerings at the hotel. Koh Samui is 'like detox island,' a place well-heeled tourists come to engage in practices they associate with Buddhism but are often a mishmash of different spiritual traditions, said Brooke Schedneck, a religious studies professor at Rhodes College whose research centers on Buddhism and religious tourism in Thailand. 'Everyone coming off the plane [in Koh Samui] has their yoga mats,' she said. Places like the fictional White Lotus 'draw on this idea of Thailand as a Buddhist place but [offer] wellness options that don't necessarily connect to Buddhism.' (You'd never practice yoga in a Buddhist temple, for instance.) 'I think it's really funny how ... most of them are going to this wellness resort, and then they're like, 'I don't want to do wellness. Why do I have to do this?'' Schedneck said of the hotel's spoiled guests. 'It shows the individualistic, Western mindset of 'I want to do whatever I want.'' Yet the contradiction between East and West may not be as stark as one might assume. Some Westerners wrongly assume that because Buddhism is so prevalent in Thailand, it means people are less interested in material things. 'The idea that Buddhism can encompass and encourage wealth is something that's difficult for people to grasp,' Schedneck said. For the Four Seasons, 'The White Lotus' has been an undeniably powerful marketing tool — despite the death and dissolute behavior that goes on at the resorts in the series. The formal partnership, launched ahead of Season 3, means the company can use 'White Lotus' IP and do branded activations, including poolside cabanas and viewing parties, at its resorts. The Four Seasons also recently announced a 20-day excursion in which guests will travel aboard the company's private jet to the show's three filming locations. As part of its marketing research, the company conducts monthly surveys with high-net-worth individuals. The questionnaire now includes questions about 'The White Lotus.' Of the millennials surveyed, 88% were aware of both brands, and 71% said they were highly likely to visit properties featured in the series. 'We know that if we pick the right show, and if the hotel has been featured in the right way, it has a huge business impact, and it's the best PR we can do,' said Marc Speichert, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at the Four Seasons. He is already seeing a surge of online interest in the Koh Samui property: Visits to the site are up nearly 600% over the same time last year. 'Everybody knows that this is obviously a fiction. The White Lotus isn't the Four Seasons, per se. It just uses the hotel as a backdrop. The PR that we're getting is about how incredible the hotel looks,' Speichert said. (He said that characters like Belinda, played by Natasha Rothwell in Seasons 1 and 3, and Valentina, played by Sabrina Impacciatore in Season 2, reflect the kind of people who do work at the Four Seasons.) Previous seasons of 'The White Lotus' led to a surge of visitors to Maui and Sicily. In Thailand, where tourism is a major industry, an influx would be welcome. The country saw 35 million foreign visitors last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which aims to increase that number to 40 million in 2025. 'Thailand acting as the setting of 'The White Lotus' Season 3 allows us to reach a truly global audience, and offers a unique opportunity to showcase Thailand's breathtaking landscapes, rich culinary scene, vibrant culture, natural beauty and, most importantly, the people and the warmth of Thai hospitality,' said Chompu Marusachot, director of the TAT's New York office. An increase in visitors would be an economic boon for Thailand, but there is also concern about the potential environmental impact more visitors would have on the country, particularly Koh Samui, which already struggles with a shortage of fresh water and an overflowing landfill, according to reports from local residents. Other Hollywood productions offer cautionary tales: 'The Beach,' released in 2000, helped turn Maya Bay on the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh into a major tourist destination that received as many as 5,000 visitors a day. Because of the resulting pollution, an estimated 80% of the coral in the bay was destroyed. Authorities eventually closed the beach for several years and now restrict access. HBO did not provide comment when asked about the environmental impact of filming 'The White Lotus' in Koh Samui. But for Bernad, making the series in Thailand taught him the importance of treading lightly. 'You have to come in with a humility that you're not imposing your way of production,' he said. 'You're learning from the local crew and producers, and adjusting to their needs.' Good advice for producers — and tourists — alike.
