Who deserves Emmy nominations from White Lotus (S3)?
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 5:00PM by Nathaniel R
The third season of White Lotus is currently all the rage online as everyone sounds off on the finale. Before I share a few thoughts on the third season (after the jump) let's talk Emmy possibilities. The first season competed as a Limited Series at the Emmys and scored 8 acting nods (two wins) and the second season upped the ante for 9 acting nods (one win). This is way too many acting nominations for ANY series no matter how well acted, but that's how the Emmys roll with their current rules that preference highly-watched shows. So who do you think is most deserving of an Emmy nod this season. Choose your top 7 here and let's see how it plays out.
The photo up top is how I'd rank worthiness for nominations - but don't let me influence you. I've included the other dozen, also in preference order, just for kicks after the jump...
About this hierarchal preferencing I will note -- though it should always go without saying -- that actors can only work with the material they've been given so if you're gifted a better role, you have an advantage in reaching these "best" conversations. It's not always 1:1 of course. I wouldn't say that Carrie Coon and Parker Posey and Sam Rockwell had the best written characters this time but they were all indispensable for their (dependable) excellence and interpretations.
A few thoughts on Season 3
Though few have claimed that this Thailand "vacation" was the best season, people are generally still thrilled to spend more time at these resorts/with this series, in which the problems of the ultra-wealthy and the people serving them become a messy neurotic tangle... and someone always dies, but who?
The most common complaint was that the season's first half could have been easily condensed into a single episode. I can't disagree given my love of economy in storytelling. That said, Mike White's hand is so sure and he creates such deliciously funny characters-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown, that The White Lotus is hugely enjoyable even when nothing at all is happening. For instance my favourite storyline this season was easily the Ratliff's (Parker Posey & fam) and yet this story paddled in place quite a lot for all five members until about the fifth episode and the father's (Jason Isaacs) story was the most repetitive of all with numerous shots/scenes that could have been played in any order as he stewed and worried and downed pills and considered suicide/murder. But I wouldn't trade the Ratliff's because this gave us so many inimitable Parker Posey laughs and memes and the dynamic between the three siblings was provocative, fascinating, unexpected, and cringe-hilarious.
The storyline that added the least to the narrative was arguably the three-friends who gossip about each other (Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, and Carrie Coon) and yet that narrative ended so well and so insightfully with such an A+ monologue from Mike White and Carrie Coon that we can't grouse too much about it. We just wish the storylines had kicked in a little earlier since there was surely more exciting (and more integrated!) drama to mine once the rifts really appeared and the women began to hang out with the three Russians. Whenever the individual stories overlap -- as they did occassionally with most characters, like a Venn diagram, the show really soars. More integration next time please!
Though I mostly enjoyed the season, my biggest qualm was the apparent lack of interest in the Thai characters and the hotel staff in general. They had so little to do! Only Gaitok the security guard had anything like a character arc. (Am I just imagining that the previous seasons were more interested in the staff? Perhaps it's a case of misremembering)
Please do sound off in the comments if you watched the season. Let us know your favourite characters and biggest gripes. Where do you hope the next White Lotus is located? REFRAIN FROM READING THE COMMENTS (obviously) if you haven't finished the season and want to avoid spoilers.
Reader Comments (24)
Like so many of these BIG shows Game of Thrones Breaking Bad The White Lotus etc I have never seen an episode of any of them.
I, like many, feel this was quite easily the weakest season of the three, even though I greatly enjoyed watching every week. There just felt like far less tension as a whole, and the plotting was kind of a mess. So much information that was being obviously signposted needed to come much sooner. I also think there was just too many characters this season, leading to a feeling of too much and not enough because this many people couldn't possibly be served by the runntime.
Like you Nathaniel, we have the same top 5 MVPs. The addition of Rockwell was a great energy shift, and Episode 5 was definitely the series high point. Schwarznegger was the biggest surprise, and I wish his character had a bigger revelation in the finale as Saxon easily became one of the more interesting roles. Wood did the most with the least, and probably just booked herself a slew of new roles. She is such an exciting, unique rising star. Posey delivered the laughs, though I wish she got more to do, and Coon was reliably excellent and nailed her monologue (though was this entirely earned storywise? Not sure).
It actually hadn't occurred to me till now that the Emmys could be a toss-up between Posey and Coon. (Sort of Maggie Smith vs Helen Mirren energy in a way that probably only i understand.)
For the men, I assume they'll go for Isaacs and Goggins. I kind of love what Goggins is giving.
I ate the other two seasons like I couldn't get enough... And I haven't season a single frame of this season, lol. I can just tell it isn't as good. But I'll watch as some point!
This season seemed lacking in depth. Post-finale we now learn of decisions that were responsible for this.
Before the edits, Laurie (Carrie Coon) shared with her lifelong friends her struggle to accept her transgender child. That context makes Laurie’s behavior understandable. Without that insight, we are left with a sad little cautionary tale of trouble will ensue three females travel together. Sexist and basically stupid. Next season is rumored to take place in Norway which has its Gender Recognition Act allowing citizens to change legal gender by self-determination. Perhaps Laurie and her child will play substantial roles next season.
Before the edits, Piper returned from her night at the monastery determined to explore her sexuality. She subsequently hooks up with Zion. In a provocative flip, Saxon leaves Thailand actively exploring spirituality while Piper contemplates her new found hedonism. Without that turn of events, the conclusion of the Ratliff storyline feels particularly pedestrian.
The early reports of Woody Harrelson being offered the role of Rick but refusing to work for scale leaves a sour taste in watching Walton Goggins. I couldn’t help but wonder each week how much richer Harrelson’s performance would be. The post-season statement from Harrelson that he declined the role because it conflicted with his family vacation falls flat.
As for Emmys, Sam Rockwell needs to clear a space next to his Oscar. That monologue was unforgettable.
Not as strong as the two other seasons but I would give it a 8,5/10 easily.
“Like the food…you could tell it wasn't organic”
"I'm a pleaser and I'm in a family full of narcissists"
The Carrie Coon rendition of Stockard Channing's monologue
You just can't find that type of writing anywhere else.
Bibb ranks much higher for me, mainly because she is incredibly adept at the type of active listening which allows for such authentic reactions to her scene partners that truly elevate her work.
I agree with andrewfraser that Laurie's character arc is not baked enough to have earned that beautifully crafted moment -- which Coon knocks clean out of the park. The character needed maybe two more scenes to further delineate that journey to justify the emotional payoff.
it needs to go back to six episodes; way too many scenes of jason isaacs looking spaced out and more cutaway wildlife metaphors than an episode of survivor
plus the gaitok mook romance was the same scene every single time
[as far as staff interest goes season one had armond and belinda interacting with the guests as major plot points and season two had the fabulous closeted valentina and the entrepreneurial lucia and mia and i guess portia counted as staff as well - all of whom had interesting story lines]
my favourite character was chelsea and my biggest gripe was not seeing the radcliff’s reactions to their reduced future [even if it was just them looking up from their phones one by one]
wherever they go next i hope molly shannon returns - her high maintenance character only had a brief stopover in season one and could easily cause some friction during a longer stay
oh, and laura dern but only if she’s playing amy jellicoe
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I honestly don't think anyone deserves any awards consideration, because they just weren't given enough material to show us their full capabilities. I would be really surprised if there's any more than four, maybe five, Emmy nods in June or the cast, in contrast to series one (eight nods) and series two (nine nods). The most obvious contender is Rockwell, next up Coon, Rothwell and Posey. If I had to pick someone I'd say Bibb was MVP and I hope the show is a boost to her career.
The White Lotus is a show where nothing happens for 7 episodies and then someone dies. This season so far has been the weakest. It also had the worst hotel, or at least it was poorly shot.
They always have a fantastic cast and a few really fun characters, but they never develop any of them or give them much to do. It presents all these posibbilities and barely does anything with them. It all feels very lazy to me.
Only Posey and Coon deserve nominations. I'd throw Aimee Lou Wood in there to boost her career, too.
Jason Isaacs is low-key one of the greatest actors on the planet—between this and Mass, he's capable of performing at a level even really great actors can't touch. Yes, the writing got a little repetitive but over the first 3-5 episodes, the emotional texture and immediacy he found? Unbelievable.
It's small, but the technical specificity of his accent is unreal—obviously Posey got a lot of attention for going big and arch with the voice but for a Brit to do what he did, so 100% correct, not just regionally but for the character's station/background/etc? Crazy.
Nathaniel, wonderful article as always! I thought the artistry of S3 was about 10% off from the first two seasons, but still saying a lot, because the first two seasons are stone cold masterpieces. This season was less surgically precise, but what we gained in messiness we also gained in ambition (the ideas in this season are very, very big...he's literally tackling WHAT GIVES LIFE MEANING?).
I would be shocked if Carrie Coon doesn't win the Emmy. I think the undersung hero is Tayme Thapthimthong...not only was his work subtle and moving, he was so endearing that he made us root for him to win the girl, even though the girl was awful and a bad match for him (she treats him like dirt)....he gave us a nice pull to want to root for even more. And I know this is a hot take, but I think Parker Posey is maybe eighth or ninth best.
Still, I think Coon, Posey, and Wood will likely score nominations, and then Goggins, Rockwell, and possibly Schwarzenegger or Isaacs, depending on love for the show in general. It's also a really competitive year for Emmys this year!
Weirdly enough, I think the writing was better this season than in the first two iterations of the show. Well, maybe not the plotting, but the dialogue and the thematic connections between character arcs and setting. They felt purposeful in a way that wasn't always felt before. And yet, I do think there's less excitement this year. That may have more to do with the directing than anything, and there's something to be said about the value of draining the prurient excitement away to reveal a rather sad tragedy whose conclusion is more defeatist than salacious.
Coon would also be my choice for MVP with Rockwell close behind. Schwarzenegger really surprised me in the last episode, making it all click after I spent weeks being a bit mystified by the praise he was getting on social media. Same could be said about Hook, whose big scene in the finale is fantastic both for her and Posey. Wood and Goggins deserve some love for their pitch-perfect comic reactions, and Monaghan hasn't been this interesting as a screen presence... maybe ever? Peiris is my choice for most overlooked performance of the season.
I do have a question, though. Would you (or the readers) separate the cast by category? I feel there are some folks here whose screen presence and plot relevance make them more leads than supporting, regardless of the show's ensemble-y storytelling. Coon, Isaacs, Rothwell, Goggins come to mind. Maybe Wood, too.
Special shout out to Dom Hetrakul who plays Pornchai.
White Lotus has a habit of catapulting careers of some of the actors. Coolidge won 2 Emmys while Bartlett won 1 and then immediately got another nomination for The Last of Us. Sydney Sweeney's career erupted. Leo Woodhall is on the shortlist for the new James Bond thanks to season 2 of White Lotus. Who benefits most from this season?
I would say Goggins and Coon. Both are already respected character actors but now maybe some leading roles come their way in addition to Emmys. I would also think Wood and Schwarzenegger will have their career expand to more roles now.
A minority opinion, but Season 3 is the best season simply because it’s the first one without Jennifer Coolidge (although her character is mentioned). And I can’t remember anything in the first two seasons as strong as the monologues from Sam Rockwell and Carrie Coon.
My ranking would be:
-Coon
-Posey
-Schwarzenegger
-Wood
-Goggins
So I'm with the consensus except for Rockwell, who I didn't really care for.
I think all of them will be nominated though, and probably also Rothwell and Isaacs.
I voted for Coon, Posey, Bibb, Wood, and Schwarzeneggar - 4 actresses and one actor. I will be irritated if that actor is omitted from the nominees in favor of more prominent names.
Isaacs's arc was so boring. And I really do not get the love for Goggins. Perhaps that's because I haven't been interested in most of his projects, and most of the affection is coming from fans of his other work.
The thing with Rockwell is that he's not supporting. He should be in the guest category with Scott Glenn. Emmy rules are idiotic.
Can't they find two gays and a retired female executive, called it a panel, and decide on this cases?
It was obvious that the old man there was Rick's father. Then Rick invades the old man's house with Sam Rockwell, and they go there without having planned anything, zero preparation, everything on their own, knocks the old man off his chair, manages to escape unharmed and he goes back to the hotel whose owner is precisely the old man he tricked and knocked down and stays there having breakfast with his girlfriend????
Who is Rick? Beyond his father's trauma? Who is that person? Where does his money come from? What is his story? How did he and Chelsea meet? What is his criminal past?
Who is Chelsea besides Rick? She's supposed to be a good, pure person and a sacrificial lamb. But who is she? What do we know about her besides that relationship? Nothing.
What is Parker Posey's narrative arc? Zero
Just the pleasure of seeing her daughter give up the monastery
Why did Jason Isaacs spend 24,948 episodes just taking the medicine/drug? To then decide to kill everyone in the last episode, give up, tell everyone they are broke and he´s going to jail and not have any consequences that we see about it?
The retarded son doesn't wash the blender when his father HAD JUST SAID THE COCONUT MILK WAS SOUR AND HAD STOPPED EVERYONE FROM DRINKING IT????
What was the purpose of incest? Besides shock value?
There was a shooting that left five people dead at an A+++ resort in Thailand, and one of the dead was the fucking OWNER of the place, who was married to a local celebrity.
Nobody would have left the place like that. They would have closed everything down, the police would have held everyone back, they would have taken statements, etc. It would have delayed everyone's departure by a few hours.
And a B+ list actress with a well-known face, to the point of being recognized in Thailand, was literally RIGHT NEXT to the shooting, which would only increase the scandal of the case.
And she would be on the phone with agents, publicists, PR, CAA, SAG, social media team, who knows who else, seeing what this would mean for her image, contracts, etc.
She wasn't going to run off with her friends and get on the boat and say goodbye.
Her name is Lisa Manoban, not Laila.
amanda p - this was a typo. She is billed as Lalisa Manobal so I think spellcheck changed it and I didn't catch. argh. Unfortunately you can't change poll answers after publication or it erases the votes.
p.s. love your ideas about what might actually happen in this scenario. Feels like a missed opportunity (but that's what the show gets from trying to cram everything into the last 3 episodes instead of actually letting things happen earlier!
TomG - I think Schwarzenegger will easily benefit the most from this season. His performance changed a lot of people’s perception about him, he’s the right age to break out and he’s kind of become the internet’s new boyfriend, which has done wonders for a lot of actors lately (Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, all the guys who led Luca Guadagnino films, hell the entire cast of Warfare went through an internet’s boyfriend phase at some point in the last few years). I hope Schwarzenegger gets some nominations come awards time. He was obviously good in the last couple episodes portraying his character’s growth, but I was most impressed by him in the first few episodes. He nailed the provocative and dysfunctional humor of the Ratliffs in a way I don’t the other actors quite did, give or take Posey. But I do think Posey went just a little too big at times.
Whether this will be a boost to already established actors like Goggins and Coon remains to be scene, because they were already regularly doing high-profile prestige tv work, so a step up for them would basically be to lead prestige Oscar films. I more think they’ll probably just stay at the level they’re at. It’s a shame they’ll all compete in supporting, because I do think, as someone pointed out above, a handful should be in lead (Coon, Goggins, Isaacs, Rothwell probably the most lead-ish of the group.) It feels wrong for Goggins to be competing against Rockwell in the same category, or Coon against Bibb. Bibb and Rockwell would probably get my Emmy votes in the supporting category, and how cool would that be for a couple to win his and hers Emmys? But Coon vs. Posey feels like it will be the race, which potentially opens the door for a spoiler from another show (depends if Severance, The Pitt, or The Handmaid’s Tale can break through with some supporting actress nominations).
Given that we know how many things were cut in the edit, I do wonder if the Thai characters were meant to be more prominent, because it doesn’t track at all with past seasons that they’d be such throwaway characters. Mook was the only one who actually felt like part of the main cast, and even his storyline felt so tertiary to the primary storylines.