On the scripts, though, you’ve been on several TV shows when you got the scripts for this, were you like, “Oh, there’s no way all this will make it in. We’re overshooting.”?
Yeah, we all knew. There was talk of it the whole time, but we just had nothing but time to film it. And I think that’s great for Mike that he was able to have a lot to work with where he could use his favorite stuff or just stuff that makes the most sense for the main storyline here and there and whatever. But I also imagine that was very hard for him because everything that Mike writes is gold. And so while we as the actors are sad, we didn’t get to see this scene or that scene, I would imagine it’s also pretty heartbreaking for him. Like, “Man, I’ve just written Masterpiece after Masterpiece and now I have to cut it.” He could probably make a whole other show. Honestly, it’s amazing how much [was cut]. Again, I probably shouldn’t be saying all of this, but it’s coming out anyway. All of this is known.
Was there anything that didn’t have to do with the last episode, where Piper had a romance with someone in the hotel or something?
No, no, nothing like that. It’s more just even scenes that were there. It’s just dial. Exactly, exactly. Everything’s just shortened up a bit, pretty much.
So, Piper has this dream, she wants to spend a year living in the temple. And then in the seventh episode, we’re sort of given a hint that maybe this isn’t what she thinks it would be or wants it to be. Do you think this is something she genuinely wants? Do you think she knows what she’s getting into?
Yes, I do. I think that she does really, really want it. I do think there is inner conflict in her because it is scary. And you kind of see that in episode one, too. The audience didn’t know when Piper and Lachlan approached the temple in episode one, you see something’s going on with her, but at that point, we don’t know that she wants to move to Thailand. I imagine if people rewatch it and see episode one, then maybe they’ll be like, “Oh, she was checking out the temple. And she is nervous because she’s like, oh my God, I have duped my entire family and they’re all here and I’m here to check out this place. And what if it’s not everything that I dreamed it would be?” Throughout the show, she is kind of just carrying this heavy secret, and she’s nervous because it’s a long way from home. But I do think she is being very earnest and real about it. She does want to do it. I imagine she had some sort of spiritual awakening or some form of enlightenment and wants to explore that deeper. I don’t think she does anything lightly. She’s very serious and studious and wants to completely immerse herself. And so I think all of that is genuine. But I do think she comes from privilege, and at the end of the day, she’s like a little rich girl. I think that is kind of just what it is. We’ll see what happens with her story, but I do think she’s very, very sincere about it. I do. I’ve seen people say, “Is she just doing this to get back at her family?” I’m like, “That’s not her.” Of all people wouldn’t do that. Maybe Saxon would, I don’t know. But that’s not Piper’s m.o.
You shot this a year ago, right?
It was February through August. It was long, long.
Did you have fun or were you ready to come home?
I had fun. I also had a hard time, but I mean, I think [being] anywhere for six months, even if you’re at home, you’re going to have hard times. And it just, again, the pressure of the show. That was weighing on several of us throughout. You’ll just get pangs of it. You’ll forget you’re filming “White Lotus,” and then you’re like, “Oh my God, I’m on it.” It’ll hit you like a train. But I love Thailand so much. I actually just went to Chiang Mai, which is northern Thailand, and that’s now one of my favorite places in the world. And I love the Thai people. I love the culture. I love Southeast Asia. I love Asia in general. I never ever thought I would get the chance to go to these countries ever. I mean, Mike White really gifted us such a gorgeous, grand, amazing, unforgettable opportunity and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So we’re very fortunate that we got to do that.
Would you have preferred Italy?
I’ve never been to Italy. I don’t know, honestly. I mean, it would’ve been fun, I’m sure, but I weirdly do think that there is this uniqueness of Asia. I shouldn’t say everyone, but I feel like Europe is the place that everyone goes to, but not as many people go to Asia. So, I do feel like I had kind of a more unique experience. Asia has my whole heart. So I think I’m very happy that I was part of the Thailand season.
When you got the script and you’re reading it, and I’m sure there were lines that you thought were funny, but did you realize that Parker’s characterization of “Piper no!” and “Buddhism” would be so funny? Was the cast trying not to laugh?
I don’t think any of us could have predicted what that woman was going to do. I had no clue. I had no clue. When I read the script, that’s not how I imagined Victoria, but boy am I glad it’s how it came out. And I think at first I was a little bit, I wasn’t laughing at first. I think I was in shock. It was so big and broad, and I was like, “Oh my God, am I doing something wrong?” But then I’m looking at the rest of the family, and everyone is in their own kind of character lane, so I think it works. And the way that we all speak to her, it’s normal. My mom has always been this way, so it’s not out of nowhere. She’s just this wild, crazy southern woman, and it just really works. And yeah, the lines that Victoria says are so iconic. But no, I had no clue. I had no clue that was what it was going to be. I want to say, though, the “Piper no!” stuff, so obviously that’s extremely viral right now because of her Today Show guest spot, but I want to say the “Piper, no!” that was a thing while we were filming. Somehow, every family scene, Saxon would do some inappropriate joke, and Parker [would] just look at me and go, “Piper!” I would just be sitting there. And then Mike would come over and he would give someone a note, and then he’d look at me and go, “Piper, no! No!” They both would do it at me. So, it is like PTSD, but also so fun.
You’re not going to do well when you walk down the street and some t-shirts are emblazoned with “Piper, no!”
The amount of people who have already screamed at me, I’m like, “Ah, please, please.” No, it’s so cute. I love it. I can’t wait to have a cocktail napkin with “Piper, No!” on it. It’s so iconic.
Having not seen the final episode, how would you tease it?
I mean, honestly, whatever you think is going to happen, you’re wrong.
Before I let you go, it’s been a very interesting decade about billionaires and social movements and all sorts of things, but the world has dramatically changed since you shot it. When you’re watching the show now, does it seem different than what you thought it would be? Does it seem like it’s in a different context?
Of course, things are constantly moving and changing, and I mean, we have a new president that period, we have a new president, and so it does kind of change the lens a little bit, I think. And things probably hit harder and deeper. I think, yeah, it’s the case for everyone watching. It is just hits differently. But I always feel that way too anyway, with any show that I do because so much time will pass and I feel like a new person and whether I have other crazy experiences or not, it’s just a lot of time has passed, so now maybe my acting preferences have changed, or I feel like this scene turned out way differently than what I thought it would be. It’s just lots of different outcomes that you can think of as to why it is different from when you filmed. But 99% of the time it usually is. But yes, this in particular, in this climate that we’re in, I would say for sure it hits differently.
It does hit differently. Congratulations on the show. I hope Piper survives. And hey, Natasha came back as Belinda. So, you never know. A couple of seasons from now…
Yeah, you never know. You never know. If Piper makes it out, you never know. Never know.
“The White Lotus” season three airs at 9 PM on Sunday on HBO and is simultaneously available on MAX
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