The White Lotus: Natasha Rothwell Returning for Season 3 as Belinda
Season 1 White Lotus fave Natasha Rothwell is returning to the franchise in Season 3, but at least one big question remains: Who is she playing?
An HBO spokesperson confirmed to TVLine that Rothwell — who earned an Emmy nomination for her work in the first season of Mike White’s Emmy-winning satire — will appear in the upcoming third season. But the rep declined to reveal whether she will be reprising her role as spa manager Belinda or playing a new character. UPDATE: Rothwell has confirmed that she will indeed be playing Belinda.
In a recent TVLine poll that asked readers which past characters they would like to see follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya (R.I.P.) by becoming the newest member of White Lotus’ loyalty program, Rothwell’s Belinda placed fifth (view full results here).
Variety was first to report news of Rothwell’s return.
Neither HBO nor White have officially revealed where Season 3 will take place after stints in Hawaii and Italy, although Thailand and Japan have both been bandied about as possibilities. (The series is set at a different White Lotus hotel each season with a mostly new cast.) White has hinted, though, that the new season will be “a kind of satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality,” which would seem to point towards an Asian locale.
Another unknown: Is this crazypants Season 3 rumor true?!
It’d make no sense to bring her back as a new character unless it is an identical twin sister. They already had characters in multiple seasons so they established a connection to previous seasons. It’d be very odd to now have the same actress as a different character.
Variety’s article states she will be back as Belinda, is that confirmed? This conflicts that report, and Im confused lol.
I wonder if Tanya left Belinda money in her will, and she’s back as a guest?
That would be awesome!
Would love this. super excited to have Natasha back!
She said herself on Twitter it’s Belinda
Why would she be a different character? I’m not even sure why this writer would think that’s a possibility.
Because the HBO rep wouldn’t confirm that she would be Belinda.
Also, Mike White likes to throw curveballs.
Anything is possible.
I thought it had already been pretty well established that the setting for season 3 was Thailand? Variety had reported that Mike White had been seen scoping sites there and that “multiple people” associated with the show had told them that Thailand was definitely the setting.
I’m gonna guess she got promoted and becomes Manager at new location for Season 3. Just my guess..
Excited to have her back!
Eh, Belinda was a bit of a snooze of a character. I’d rather have the petulant annoyance that was Shane over her.