As I’m positive you recognize, there are numerous stars in Season 3 of The White Lotus — from a Okay-pop icon to Lucius Malfoy himself. Nevertheless, when you’re an actor in search of an enormous paycheck, it feels like The White Lotus shouldn’t be the place for you.
Forward of the Season 3 finale on Sunday, the present’s forged and crew sat down with the Hollywood Reporter to share some behind-the-scenes secrets and techniques — together with the unconventional pay coverage.
“Everyone seems to be handled the identical on The White Lotus. They receives a commission the identical, and we do alphabetical billing, so that you’re getting individuals who need to do the mission for the appropriate causes, to not quote The Bachelor,” defined producer David Bernad. “It’s a system we developed within the first season as a result of there was no cash to make the present.”
A number of sources advised the Hollywood Reporter that the pay for actors in Season 3 is round $40,000 per episode. Casting director Meredith Tucker mentioned that making certain everybody receives the identical quantity makes issues “a lot simpler” — even when it deters some actors from being on the present. “You inform folks that is what it’s,” she mentioned. “And a few gained’t do it — and truthfully, you may’t maintain it in opposition to individuals who must make a residing. Our collection regulars are just about doing this for scale.”
On X, followers have praised the method to salaries, in addition to the added revelation that each one actors should audition, irrespective of how well-known and skilled they might be. Loads of customers mentioned components like these are probably key to creating “a superb ensemble present” and avoiding pointless battle between the actors. Others urged it needs to be “the usual” on TV exhibits.
Some customers speculated that the non-negotiable pay coverage is likely to be why we “don’t see A-listers” on the present. With that in thoughts, the Hollywood Reporter article included a narrative from two sources who claimed that Woody Harrelson — who initially signed on to play Rick, Walton Goggins’ character — went “all the best way to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to see if his wage may very well be negotiated.” His request was denied, which apparently didn’t cease him from signing on for the present; nevertheless, he ultimately dropped out resulting from scheduling points.