Thai actress came out of retirement for White Lotus

Lek Patravadi was unaware of the celebrated American series before being approached to join the cast of Season 3, set in Thailand

- Alison de Souza

Most of the actors who joined the cast of the satirical comedy-drama The White Lotus (2021 to present) for its third season, set in Thailand, were fans of the acclaimed show going in.

But two of the most prominent Thai cast members admit they had not previously heard of the Emmy-winning anthology, which explores the complex interactions among guests and employees at a new upscale hotel each season.

After Seasons 1 and 2 were set in Hawaii and Sicily respectively, the third chapter - now streaming on Max - takes place at the fictional White Lotus resort in Thailand, and was filmed mainly at the Four Seasons Resort on the island of Koh Samui.

The ensemble cast includes American actors such as Walton Goggins, Michelle Monaghan and Patrick Schwarzenegger, alongside Thai performers including Lek Patravadi and Dom Hetrakul.

Its most famous Thai star - 27-year-old K-pop star Lisa from girl group Blackpink - recently told entertainment news site The Wrap that she had been a big fan of The White Lotus before auditioning.