Buzz
The White Lotus expertly uses simple storytelling to dive into relatable themes. Its allure comes from a mix of A-list stars, well-known but often overlooked actors, and fresh faces—all delivering performances that are some of their finest. The ensemble is as engaging as it is diverse, and if you’re a fan, it’s a great way to discover new shows or films. Pick your favorite character, check their IMDb, and explore more. Below are 13 options to keep you hooked on your favorite White Lotus characters, listed alphabetically. (Sorry Greg, but you were barely around this season, and honestly, who was tuning in for Greg?)
F. Murray Abraham (Bert DiGrasso): Amadeus (1984)
If you’re into both White Lotus and Amadeus, the Venn diagram might not overlap as much as expected. But if you enjoyed F. Murray Abraham’s performance as a wealthy, pervy older man fascinated by the younger generation’s antics, you’ll want to watch Amadeus right away. As Antonio Salieri, F. Murray delivers one of the most dramatic, chaotic performances you’ll ever see, with immaculate costume design and stunning natural lighting. The film remains a timeless masterpiece.
Where to watch: Digital rental
Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya McQuoid-Hunt): Best in Show (2000)
If you miss Tanya from 'The White Lotus,' it’s the perfect time to revisit Best in Show. While it’s not exactly an obscure pick, Sherri Ann Cabot paved the way for Tanya’s iconic yacht-climbing moment. She’s a legend, and her role in this movie is a comedic masterpiece. If somehow you’ve missed it, you’re in for a treat.
Where to watch: Fubo, Showtime, digital rental
Adam DiMarco (Albie DiGrasso): The Magicians (2015-2020)
If you're into fantasy shows and love Albie DiGrasso, you should check out The Magicians, a SyFy original that ran for five seasons from 2015 to 2020. Adam DiMarco joins in season 2 as Todd, a human magician at Brakebills University.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Meghann Fahy (Daphne Sullivan): The Bold Type (2017-2021)
Meghann Fahy gave my favorite performance in The White Lotus, so I was excited to find out she also starred in the Freeform series The Bold Type, which ran for five seasons. The show follows three best friends working at a women’s magazine in New York, and while it’s light-hearted and fun, the real highlight is the sheer amount of Meghann Fahy per minute (MFPM) you get. It’s off the charts.
Where to watch: Hulu
Beatrice Grannò (Mia) and Simona Tabasco (Lucia Greco): DOC - Nelle tue mani (2020-2022)
Before their roles in The White Lotus, Beatrice Grannò and Simona Tabasco both appeared in the Italian medical drama DOC - Nelle tue mani, which is based on the true story of Pierdante Piccioni, an Italian doctor who lost 12 years of memories after a car crash.
Where to watch: It’s currently unavailable on streaming platforms, but if you come across it, make sure to let everyone know!
Tom Hollander (Quentin): The Night Manager (2016)
The Night Manager might surprise you with its unexpected silliness for a John le Carré adaptation—there are so many scenes of Tom Hiddleston in various sexy showers, all played with complete seriousness. It’s the perfect follow-up to The White Lotus, and Tom Hollander plays a slippery henchman to Hugh Laurie’s arms dealer, stealing every scene he’s in.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Sabrina Impacciatore (Valentina): Amiche da Morire (2013)
Much like Valentina, the hot mess hotel manager in The White Lotus, Sabrina Impacciatore’s character in Amiche da Morire ('Friends to Die For') is a sexually frustrated Sicilian woman named Crocetta. This time, she finds herself tangled up in a murder cover-up after an acquaintance’s husband turns out to be less of a 'fisherman' and more of a 'drug trafficker.'
Where to watch: You can currently find it on YouTube.
Michael Imperioli (Dominic DiGrasso): Mad Dogs (2015)
American remakes of UK shows can be hit or miss, but Mad Dogs is worth checking out. Michael Imperioli stars as Lex, an American musician vacationing in Belize with three lifelong friends. When one of them is murdered early in the trip, they get caught up in a web of local law enforcement and shady underworld figures. It’s got that White Lotus-adjacent vibe, especially since season 1 star Steve Zahn plays one of Lex’s friends.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Theo James (Cameron Sullivan): Castlevania (2017-2021)
Theo James is perhaps most recognized for his role in the Divergent film trilogy, but he also provided the voice for Hector in Castlevania, a Netflix animated series based on the popular Japanese video game franchise. This action-packed, fantasy-horror series about Dracula and his demon army fighting humanity is definitely more exciting than Divergent or The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Where to watch: Netflix
Aubrey Plaza (Harper Spiller): Emily the Criminal (2022)
If you're looking for more Aubrey Plaza, you could always dive into clips from Parks and Recreation, but Emily the Criminal is worth your time. Produced and starring Plaza, this 2022 thriller follows a struggling art school graduate who gets entangled in petty crime to clear her debts. It's dark, funny, tense, provocative, and only 93 minutes long. Plus, the film features Gina Gershon in a supporting role.
Where to watch: Netflix
Haley Lu Richardson (Portia): Unpregnant (2020)
In Unpregnant, Haley Lu Richardson plays a 17-year-old who finds out she’s pregnant, but since she’s from Missouri, she can’t get an abortion without parental consent. Determined to take matters into her own hands, she raises money for the procedure and convinces her friend, played by Barbie Ferreira, to drive her to Albuquerque. What follows is a road trip filled with hijinks and drama about friendship.
Where to watch: HBO Max
Will Sharpe (Ethan Spiller): Flowers (2016-2018)
If the uncomfortable family and marital tensions in The White Lotus caught your attention, you should check out Flowers, a series by Will Sharpe that blends dark family drama with biting black comedy. Sharpe not only wrote and directed but also starred in every episode. Without giving too much away, it’s easy to understand how he might have slipped into Ethan's complicated mindset.
Where to watch: Digital rental
Leo Woodall (Jack): Love Island (2015-) or West Ham United at Palermo (2006)
Leo Woodall has a relatively short list of credits, leaving us with two main options: If you're craving more cocky English guys in designer underwear, Love Island is your go-to. However, if Jack’s surprisingly complex character left you intrigued—and you can stomach a few minutes of European soccer highlights—there's an Easter egg for you.
I stumbled upon the real-life incident that inspired Jack’s painfully embarrassing moment in Palermo. The song Jack drunkenly belts out in the street, “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles,” is the anthem of West Ham United, a famous tune dating back to the Vaudeville era. So Jack isn't just a loud, drunk Englishman in the streets of Palermo—he’s a West Ham supporter causing a ruckus in southern Europe.
On September 28, 2006, West Ham fans traveled to Palermo for a UEFA Cup match, wearing T-shirts that read “Mafia.” The locals were not amused, leading to a violent aftermath. West Ham lost the game, riots erupted, and police were reportedly “under missile attack” as they tried to control the situation. Ultimately, 17 people were injured, and 20 West Ham supporters were arrested. It was quite the spectacle. According to a morning-after report in the Guardian:
One eyewitness told Guardian Unlimited: “West Ham fans behaved like animals, roaming the streets, bottles in hand searching for anyone to fight.”
Sound familiar? This show is great, and I’m already looking forward to season 3!
