The White Lotusstar Sam Nivola compares the hit HBO show to the Netflix miniseries,The Perfect Couple, in which he also starred. Before joining thecast ofThe White Lotusseason 3, Nivola played Will Winbury, the younger brother of the groom, Benji Winbury (Billy Howle), in the Nicole Kidman-led series.The White Lotuswill see Nivola playing a high school senior, Lachlan Ratliff, who is the youngest son of Timothy (Jason Isaacs) and Victoria (Parker Posey).
While speaking withScreenRantaboutThe White Lotusseason 3,Nivola breaks down the key differences between the two seriesthat both tackle wealth and the problems with wealth. While he admits that his characters in both shows are “pretty similar,” the shows are not, especially when it comes to how they each tell stories. Nivola describesThe Perfect Coupleas a great experience before joining the hit HBO series. Check out what he said below:
Yeah. I mean, it’s interesting. My character in the Perfect Couple was really actually, I think, pretty similar to Lochlan in a lot of ways. The shows are very different. They’re very similar at face value, but then when you look into it, I think The White Lotus starts with the murder and then jumps back a week earlier and then plays it all out, whereas the timeline of the Perfect Couple was completely jumbled in a cool way that was a mix of flashbacks and present day and all leading up to this thing.
It was actually a really nice to sort of - it was really great to get to do the Perfect Couple before The White Lotus because it tackles similar themes of wealth and the problems with that and how these rich people can sort of get away with murder. And yeah, just what it’s like to be someone from one of these really, really wealthy families and what the family dynamics are like. It was really great to get a run at that before going to do it again.
What Sam Nivola’s Comment Means For The White Lotus
Storytelling Is The Key
Nivola’s comment points out the similarities and key differences between the two shows. While they both tackle similar themes and revolve around murders and mysteries,the actor highlights the importance of storytellingthat differentiatesThe White LotusfromNetflix’sThe Perfect Couple, with the prior telling a much more complex story.
The White Lotus: Everything You Need to Remember Before Season 3
After darkly twisted and funny misadventures in Hawaii and Sicily, where else will The White Lotus go next?
The HBO hit series has a 92% critical approval rate (and 76% audience) onRotten Tomatoes, whereas Netflix’s miniseries has a 65% critical approval rate (and 64% audience), both lower thanThe White Lotus. SinceThe Perfect Couplehit the streaming platform, many have accused the series of being a weaker version ofThe White Lotus, and Nivola’s comment sheds some light onwhy the miniseries fell short in comparison.
The White Lotus Stands Out Through Intertwining Storylines
Image via Max
The White Lotusseason 3 is among thebiggest TV shows returning in 2025. Containing eight episodes, the new season is teased to be “longer, bigger, crazier” at a White Lotus resort property. While mystery is a key element of the show,what separatesThe White Lotusfrom similar shows likeDeath and Other Detailsis the show’s ability to dive into the lives of diverse charactersand explore their struggles, secrets, love, and fear, which makes the series very appealing.
The White Lotusseason 3 debuts on February 16.
While Jennifer Coolidge’s beloved character Tanya McQuoid will not be in season 3, her absence will be made up for by new cast members.The White Lotusseason 3 trailer has offered a glimpse of what to expect.Set in Thailand, the guests arrive with their problems as a series of crimes loom in the backgroundof the seemingly peaceful, luxurious resort. Complex storylines are again at the center of the new season’s allure.
