The third season of The White Lotus may have just ended, but the buzz around the show isn’t just about plot twists or who didn’t survive the finale. It’s about money or more specifically, how everyone in the cast, from seasoned stars to first-time actors, gets paid exactly the same.
That’s right. Whether you’re a household name or a newcomer, once you’re cast in The White Lotus, your paycheque is identical to your co-stars’. Around $40,000 an episode so about £31,000 is what each cast member pockets, no matter how many awards they’ve won or followers they have online.
This equal pay setup wasn’t born out of idealism or protest. It started simply because there wasn’t much money to begin with. Back in season one, the show was made on a limited budget, reportedly under $4 million per episode. With tight resources, the team decided to level the playing field. Instead of negotiating different contracts, everyone was offered the same rate. Now, even with budgets climbing to $6–7 million per episode, they’ve stuck with it.
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No special treatment even for the big names
Producer David Bernad explained that the flat pay rate, combined with listing actors alphabetically in credits, helps attract people who genuinely want to be part of the story and not just chase a big paycheque. “You’re getting people who want to do the project for the right reasons,” he said. “It’s not about ego or money.”
That doesn’t mean every actor is rushing to sign on. Casting director Meredith Tucker admitted that some turn down the show because they can’t afford to work for that amount. “And that’s okay,” she said. “You can’t hold it against people who need to earn a living.”
Even major Hollywood names haven’t been able to bend the rules. Woody Harrelson, originally lined up for a lead role in Season 3, reportedly tried to negotiate a higher salary by going directly to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. The answer was still no. Harrelson eventually dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, and Walton Goggins took his place.
Famous faces, equal pay
Season three’s cast included actors like Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, and even K-pop icon Lisa from Blackpink, making her acting debut. Despite her global fame and massive net worth, she was paid the same as everyone else.
It’s rare in an industry where A-listers usually command massive salaries while others scrape by. The White Lotus model is in fact a sharp contrast to that norm and while it might not work for every show, it sends a message. When the playing field is even, the focus shifts from hierarchy and money to the work itself.
Behind the scenes: Pressure to keep going
Creator Mike White is already feeling the heat from HBO to start season four. The network wants to keep the momentum going, but White admitted he hasn’t even been home in years, let alone had time to write new episodes.
Despite the chaos and the pay cap, Tucker said her phone has been ringing non-stop. Agents are already trying to get their clients into season four, even though nothing has been written yet. “Someone said they already had an audition,” she laughed. “What are these people talking about?”
So, what does this mean for TV?
The White Lotus is proving that you don’t need inflated salaries to attract talent, just a good script, a strong team, and a fresh approach. By removing salary negotiations from the equation, the show has managed to keep things fair and focused.
For Hollywood, a flat pay structure isn’t the standard not even close. But The White Lotus might just be showing that, in some cases, simpler is better. And maybe, just maybe, it’s not a bad idea to rethink how value is measured on a set.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.