10 ‘The White Lotus’ Actors Most Likely To Get an Emmy Nomination for Season 3
The White Lotus ended its third season with a banger of an episode that brought death, tears, realization, and even forgiveness to the visitors of the titular luxury resort. Like previous seasons, The White Lotus‘ third chapter featured a large ensemble of performers who all gave standout performances, even if some shone far more than others.
The show is an Emmy darling, getting Emmy wins for Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge in Season 1 and Coolidge again for Season 2. Additionally, countless actors have received Emmy nominations for their work on the show, from Connie Britton and Steve Zahn to Aubrey Plaza and Theo James. Thus, it’s safe to assume Season 3 won’t be any different. Alas, such a large ensemble means that only a few will actually make it to the final Supporting categories. This list will rank the ten actors most likely to get a nomination for The White Lotus Season 3, with the top 2 being the frontrunners to actually win their respective categories.
10
Patrick Schwarzenegger
Arguably the Worthiest of the Male Cast
Who would’ve thought that the obnoxious, inappropriate, and problematic Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) would be Season 3’s best character? At least the one with the most development. The son of Timothy (Jason Isaacs) and Victoria Ratliff (Parker Posey), Saxon starts as someone who only cares about pleasure and getting ahead before experiencing a change of heart through his experiences with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and his siblings.
Schwarzengger is a true revelation in The White Lotus Season 3. He makes Saxon appalling and detestable before making him relatable and even engaging. In a fair world, Schwarzenegger would be a shoo-in for an Emmy nomination, but the truth is that competition is way too stiff, both within The White Lotus and from other shows. Still, the show has successfully changed our perception of what he’s capable of, so we can expect big things in his career.
9
Michelle Monaghan
She IS a Famous Actress, Thank You Very Much
Michelle Monaghan has been a working actress for decades, always delivering consistent performances that seldom get any recognition. From major franchises like Mission: Impossible to cult classics like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Monaghan is a familiar yet largely underappreciated talent who deserves far more attention and love.
Monaghan’s role as Jaclyn Lemon, a famous actress on a trip with her longtime friends, Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Laurie (Carrie Coon), is probably the best and most satisfying storyline in The White Lotus Season 3. If the competition within the show weren’t so intense, Monaghan would have a decent shot at the nomination. Still, with Bibb, Coon, and Posey all vying for a place at the table, it’s sadly possible that Monaghan’s contributions will once again go unrecognized.
8
Leslie Bibb
An Independent on Her Way to the Emmy Stage
And speaking of the three toxic friends we all came to love, Leslie Bibb’s Kate is probably the most well-adjusted. This secret Trump supporter posing as an independent who loves to gossip behind her friends’ back turns out to be the one who actually most enjoys their company, a surprising twist that few saw coming. Kate might be messy, but her love for her friends is genuine.
Like Monaghan, Leslie Bibb has been a working actress for decades, and it’s high time her talents are celebrated. Bibb has something going for her: the widely discussed and viral scene where Kate’s political affiliations come to light. Bibb delivers a masterclass of subtle comedy throughout the season, but this particular clip should play very well to Emmy voters. Bibb’s place among the final nominees is far from certain, but her chances are quite good.
7
Natasha Rothwell
Belinda Is Finally Winning
Natasha Rothwell is already an Emmy nominee for her work in Season 1 of The White Lotus. Returning for Season 3, Belinda is on something of a slump after being left hanging on by Tanya in Season. Her trip to Thailand sees her engaging in a steamy affair with a fellow spa manager and successfully blackmailing Greg/Gary (Jon Gries), Tanya’s widower and the presumed architect of her murder, for $5 million.
Of all the characters who could conceivably return in a future season of The White Lotus, Belinda ranks the highest. Her storyline is far from over, especially now that she is part of the wealthy elite the show usually focuses on. Rothwell’s chances for a nomination, too, are pretty solid, albeit not certain. The Emmys are familiar with her work, and that always helps. However, Belinda’s story overall wasn’t the strongest throughout Season 3, so that might work against her.
6
Sam Rockwell
Maybe He Doesn’t Want the Emmy; Maybe He IS the Emmy
It’s not always that an Oscar winner checks into The White Lotus. Indeed, Sam Rockwell‘s shocking appearance in episode 5 took everyone by surprise, and his viral monologue is among the season’s most shocking moments. Rockwell is a two-time Emmy nominee, both as producer and star of the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon, so the Television Academy is well-acquainted with his work.
It’s a shame that Rockwell appeared in too many episodes because, had he competed in the Guest Actor category, the Emmy would’ve probably been his in a landslide. Alas, competing in the Supporting Actor category alongside his fellow castmates makes the situation murkier. Rockwell’s status as an Oscar winner and the fact that he has an unforgettable five-minute monologue destined to become iconic gives him a considerable edge, so perhaps we will see him come nominations morning.
5
Aimee Lou Wood
Good Luck Comes in Threes
The lovely Aimee Lou rose to prominence with her hilarious, scene-stealing, BAFTA-winning performance as Aimee Gibbs in Netflix’s teen gem Sex Education. From there, she had roles in the film Living and is currently starring in two shows, the sitcom Daddy Issues and the Netflix miniseries Toxic Town.
Wood is in a strange place when it comes to her Emmy chances. There is a considerable chance that she receives a nomination for her endearing and ever-charming turn as Chelsea, the eternal optimist convinced she is Rick’s (Walton Goggins) soulmate capable of saving him from the darkness within. Her status as a relative newcomer plays against her, so it’ll all come down to whether the Emmys have White Lotus fever this year. However, Wood is a definite standout of the season, so even if she doesn’t make it, her profile in Hollywood has increased considerably.
4
Jason Isaacs
A Man’s Descent Into Chaos That Perhaps Went a Tad Long
From this point on, we leave the “maybe” territory to enter into something far more certain, as there really is no way the next four actors miss on an Emmy nod. Let’s start with Jason Isaacs, who plays Timothy Ratliff, a wealthy financier whose life descends into chaos when he finds out he is involved in a money laundering scheme. Isaacs has been a consistent presence in film throughout the 21st century, best known for his many villainous roles, including Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter saga.
Isaacs is quite good in Season 3 of The White Lotus as a man who slowly succumbs to his darkest, lorazepam-laced nightmares. The actor’s best moments are whenever he faces the cruel reality of just how ill-equipped his family is to live a life without the wealth and privileged they have long enjoyed. However, Tim’s arc is rather one-note, and Isaacs spends most of the season in various stages of drug-addled stupor. Still, a nomination is pretty safe, even if the win is probably out of the question.
3
Parker Posey
“Piper, yes!”
Many wondered how The White Lotus would do without Jennifer Coolidge, whose clumsy yet endearing Tanya McQuoid was the show’s breakout character. However, Mike White made up for her absence with the incredible Parker Posey, who delivered a comedic tour de force in the show’s third outing. Posey is one of the most gifted funny ladies in the business, yet, surprisingly, only has one Emmy nomination for her guest stint in Amazon’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Posey is the definition of a scene-stealer in Season 3 of The White Lotus, perhaps the most consistently funny presence in the show. However, she also didn’t have the sort of big, showy scene or monologue that often plays so well with Emmy voters — think of Tanya’s “mother” scene in Season 1 or the shootout in Season 2. Still, Posey is very strong as the lorazepam-filled Victoria Ratliff, and a nomination is almost certain. The win, however, will probably elude her.
2
Walton Goggins
After Two Nominations, This Character Actor Will Finally Claim Gold
Few television actors are so consistently fascinating to watch as Walton Goggins. Mastering comedy and drama with surprising ease, Goggins is one of the most interesting performers, to the point where his presence is bound to elevate any show, be it Justified, Vice Principals, The Righteous Gemstones, Fallout, or The White Lotus. Goggins is a two-time Emmy nominee for Justified and Fallout, but his time to claim the win is fast-approaching.
Goggins’ fight for the Emmy won’t be easy, as he faces tough competition from John Turturro, whose supporting turn in Severance is just as impressive. Still, The White Lotus is on a high, with Season 3 achieving the highest ratings so far. The decision will undoubtedly be tough, but if HBO plays its cards right, then this incredible character actor will finally get the recognition he has long deserved.
1
Carrie Coon
Long-Overdue Recognition for One of TV’s Biggest Modern Icons
Carrie Coon has been one of the hardest-working and most consistently impressive television actresses since the early 2010s. Her breakthrough role came with HBO’s The Leftovers, where she delivered a powerful performance that undoubtedly ranks among the best of the 2010s. Coon is a two-time Emmy nominee, receiving recognitions for her work in the drama The Gilded Age and the third season of the miniseries Fargo.
Coon is arguably the standout cast member in Season 3. She quietly steals most of the scenes she appears in, but her finest moments come near the finale, as her character, Laurie, succumbs to her insecurities following a fight with her friends. Laurie’s monologue in the season finale is the stuff of Emmy glory, and it’s truly hard to see anyone coming in Coon’s way to claim the golden statuette. The White Lotus Season 3 is bound to win at least one acting Emmy, and our money is on Coon, who is long overdue for recognition from the Television Academy.
