As Mike White is still in the in the midst of writing the anticipated Season 4 of “The White Lotus,” Variety has learned that the hit anthology will shoot at a 19th-century palace-turned-luxury hotel called the Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez on the Côte d’Azur.
The Château de La Messardière, which is set within 32 acres of parasol pines, cypress trees and jasmine, is part of Airelles Collection, a group of five-star hotels owned by Stephane Courbit, who is also the founder and chairman of Banijay Group (“Survivor,” “Peaky Blinders”). HBO did not have a comment.
Suites at the luxury property run from $3,000 to $8,000 (and up) per night, and the hotel includes a spa, beach access by Rolls-Royce transfer, restaurants, sports activities and a children’s camp.
Filming of Season 4 will begin at the end of April and continue through the end of October, Variety has also learned. As with other seasons, this one will not shoot entirely in a single property as White is meticulous about crafting unique backdrops that combine different venues. As such, the Château de La Messardière is one of several places that will host the HBO production. The story will unfold along the French Riviera, with some scenes also filmed at a Paris hotel.
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The plot remains tightly under wraps — besides HBO confirming that it will once again follow of group of hotel guests and employees over the course of a week — but sources say that the Cannes Film Festival could be part of the storyline. Considering that the show will lens on the Riviera during the festival, which runs May 13-26, it certainly sounds plausible.
Casting is underway for Season 4 and a large number of French actors have auditioned for it. As Variety reported last month, Alexander Ludwig (“Earth Abides,” “Vikings”) and AJ Michalka (The Goldbergs, Super 8″) are the first new cast members announced for the show. So far, only three cast members have appeared in more than one season: Jennifer Coolidge, who played Tanya McQuoid in Seasons 1 and 2; Natasha Rothwell, who played Belinda Lindsey in Seasons 1 and 3; and Jon Gries, who has played Greg Hunt in all three seasons.
The Thailand-set Season 3, which also starred Walton Goggins, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Sam Rockwell, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Aimee Lou Wood, Sam Nivola and Patrick Schwarzenegger, earned eight acting Emmy nominations. “The White Lotus” is executive produced by White, David Bernad and Mark Kamine.
From Variety US