No, you definitely weren’t imagining it:The White Lotusseason 3 stars Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola address the awkward sexual tension between the Ratliff siblings in the premiere of the HBO series.The White Lotushas always pushed the envelope and this new, Thailand-set season is no different.
It’s immediately apparent that Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), the oldest brother, is weirdly obsessed with his younger siblings' sex lives. Piper (Hook), who is ostensibly the reason her family has come to Thailand, is very clearly disgusted by Saxon’s comments, but Lochlan (Nivola) seems caught in the middle of pleasing his older brother and relating more to his empathetic sister.
The White Lotus Season 3 Cast & Character Guide
With the Thai resort opening its doors this month in The White Lotus season 3, Screen Rant has the cast and character list ready for check-in!
ScreenRantspoke with Sarah Catherine Hook andSam Nivolaabout their roles inThe White LotusSeason 3 and the crazy family dynamic that is portrayed. Hook and Nivola discuss how different their characters are and what it is that has made them this way. They also reveal which storyline besides theirs shocked them the most when reading the scripts.
Sarah Catherine Hook & Sam Nivola Address The Sexual Tension
“It Was Supposed To Be A Much Smaller Thing…”
Disturbing as it might be, Nivola and Hook are fantastic at delivering just the right amount of awkward tension. When asked if they gave themselves the ick, Nivola’s immediate response was “Are you kidding? Totally,” while Hook confessed “I’ve still got the ick.”
They go on to explain that the way it turned out had a lot to do with writer and creator Mike White, with Nivola stating “I feel like Mike was really a genius with that [and with] giving a lot of those moments [more].” He recalls that Schwarzenegger tickling Hook in one of the scenes was potentially improvised, to which Hook points out “it got bigger.
“It was supposed to be a much smaller thing, and then it ended up being this whole tickle fest. Ridiculous.” Nivola goes on to explain,“There was a lot of Mike being like, ‘It would be funny if you just go over and pick her up and tickle her. Give her a big hug,'“Nivola explains. “And mess with her ear,“Hook adds, before cringing as she says"Gross.”
“He Just Wants Attention” & “She’s Just Looking For Peace”
Image via Max
Growing up in a wealthy family might seem like it is all sunshine and rainbows, but it has caused quite a few issues for both Piper and Lochlan. When asked if Piper is using Thailand as an escape from her family, Hook replies, “I think so.”
She then goes into detail, “I think that was the intention. I think she’s looking for peace, and she’s like, I’ve been with this kooky family long enough.” Hook says that Piper is also “obviously very sincere and earnest about what she is passionate about.”
I think that probably speaks to the family’s upbringing and how really wealthy families live in houses that are so big that you can’t even go hang out with your siblings because their rooms are a mile away.
Lochlan, on the other hand, is easily influenced by both his sister and his brother, which is clear from the beginning of this season. Nivola admits that he thinks this is because “he just wants attention.”
Sadly, poor Lochlan “just wants someone in the world to love him. And he will do anything to make that happen.” After he feels like his sister has abandoned him, he decides to fully commit to vying for the attention of Saxon.
“I’ve got total abandonment issues,” Nivola says of his character before explaining that he thinks this stems from the way Lochlan was raised. “I think that probably speaks to the family’s upbringing and how really wealthy families live in houses that are so big that you can’t even go hang out with your siblings because their rooms are a mile away.”
He explains further, “We probably grew up with lots of babysitters. I think the environment isn’t very conducive for someone like Lochlan, [who] needs a lot of care and love in order to sort of keep trucking.”
“One Of Those Really Exciting, Good, Juicy White Lotus Moments”
The White Lotusis very good at delivering multiple storylines at once that each offer their own bit of suspense and intrigue, and then eventually weaving them all together in the end. When asked which one shocked them the most while reading the scripts, Hook immediately gushes over Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, and Michelle Monaghan’s friendship plot.
“When I read the scripts, I was really drawn to the ladies’ stuff because it was just such classic White Lotus dialogue that I really find so delicious and enticing. So I was really looking forward to seeing their stuff.”
Hook teases an upcoming episode, confessing that she “loved their dinner scene in episode three, talking about Trump,” admitting it was “such awkward timing, too, given the state of the world. That was just one of those really exciting, good, juicy White Lotus moments.”
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Nivola agrees, before adding that he loves Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood’s relationship inThe White Lotusseason 3. “Their whole dynamic is just funny,” he exclaims. Nivola reveals their story feels unique compared to the past two seasons.
“They’re not really an archetype from a previous season. You know what I mean? You have, in previous seasons, the family and whatever. I think it’s a kind of new thing that they were doing, and it was really interesting to see where [Mike] took that.”
White Lotus Star Sarah Catherine Hook Has Already Booked Another Vacation
She’s Set To Star In An Adaptation Of A Beloved Novel
Before wrapping up, Hook offered a tease of her upcoming series,People We Meet On Vacation, which is based on the book of the same name by Emily Henry.
“I think [fans are] going to be really excited about the wardrobe, specifically, in that show. My character’s outfits were so stellar. I wanted to take everything.“She goes on to detail that the show itself is"very colorful"and"looks like it was a book made into a movie.”
Hook also praises the two leading actors, Tom Blythe and Emily Bader, saying they"are so perfect in those roles.“Hook adds,“It was fun to come on and be a little guest and just play with them for a few weeks,“before saying she is"excited to see it.“Check out our otherThe White LotusSeason 3 interviews:
The White Lotusseason 3 will air every Sunday on HBO at 9PM ET through April 6. The series has already been renewed for season 4.
