

If you're in the business of listing the best new TV franchises to arrive in the last few years, you can't ignore The White Lotus, which is part of a rush of superb content that has come out of HBO recently. Whether you're in the US and watching on Max, in the UK using Now or Sky Atlantic, or elsewhere, it's been a shot in the arm for those who love murder mysteries.
The second season established an anthology format, where each season is disconnected from the previous other than being at the same fictional hotel franchise, and now we can see the same trick in action a third time. The third season got a full trailer this week, and it looks like a feast for the senses.
This time around the action will be set in The White Lotus' Thailand branch, a remote and unspoiled location for the rich to take private holidays without worrying about being bothered by the hoi polloi. Of course, following the tradition set by the first two seasons, this tranquility will be disrupted by a murder at some point.
In the frame as both suspects and investigators this time around are a family whose patriarch's business prospects are going up in flames in secret; a couple with a huge age gap and a mysterious private mission; a hotelier looking to learn all she can from this premier band; and a group of childhood friends looking to reconnect despite apparent differences.
That's quite a list of archetypes and motivations, and suffice to say they'll all have their own agendas once the crime becomes apparent – while the hotel's staff will also be trying to keep a lid on things. It'll doubtless make for some unbelievable moments as people try to make themselves seem innocent, even though they might well be just that.
The White Lotus has been a hugely popular show, with its first two season both netting 90%+ scores on Rotten Tomatoes, so HBO will very much be hoping that it can repeat that success a third time. Its strategy makes claiming that it has the best streaming service a little complicated (since Max only exists in the US), but there's no doubt that HBO's TV is some of the very best out there.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Max is T3's Staff Writer for the Tech section – with years of experience reporting on tech and entertainment. He's also a gaming expert, both with the games themselves and in testing accessories and consoles, having previously flexed that expertise at Pocket-lint as a features editor.
-
I watched the most beautiful movie with no dialogue and now I'm speechless
Flow is a gorgeous animation with no words whatsoever – a must to stream
By Mike Lowe Published
-
The future of the sports car is bright – and these five prove it
I review cars for a living and these are five of my favourite sports cars of the moment
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Apple TV+ summons the spirit of Indiana Jones for The Fountain of Youth
It's nabbed some big stars to help
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
You owe it to yourself to watch this unbelievable Prime Video show
Last One Laughing UK is a delight
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix might have the next The Last Of Us in huge new sci-fi trailer
The Eternaut looks awesome
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix finally gives us more details about upcoming sci-fi epic
Black Mirror's new season looks huge
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I just watched my favourite episode of TV this year – and it wasn't what I expected
The Studio's pilot blew me away
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I've read every Reacher book, but this season hasn't hooked me
Not quite floating my boat
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Did Netflix just reinvent Black Mirror as a comedy series?
Bad Thoughts looks unique
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
3 obscure sci-fi movies to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and more
If you like sci-fi flicks that are off the beaten path, here are three great recommendations
By Brian Comber Published