Sweltering heat, mischievous monkeys, and drama both on and off screen, HBO's The White Lotus is back, and this time, its heading to Thailand for its highly anticipated third season.

Following previous luxurious misadventures in Hawaii and Sicily, the hit satire now unfolds on the tropical island of Koh Samui, where a new cast of jet-setting guests check into a lavish spa resort next to a Buddhist monastery.

Filming took place over six months, primarily at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which served as both the shows backdrop and the real-life retreat for its cast and crew.

According to creator Mike White, this was the hardest season yet, not just because of its expanded eight-episode format, but also due to the brutal heat, wildlife encounters, and even bouts of dengue fever and food poisoning.

"Thailand was a beautiful place to shoot, but it also had a lot of challenges", he admitted at a press conference. "There were days I was like, maybe I'll just die today, I don't know!".

Season 3 will feature the return of Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, the kind-hearted spa manager from the show's Hawaii season. 

She crosses paths with Mook, a wellness mentor played by BLACPINK's Lisa in her first major acting role.

The star-studded cast also includes Michelle Monaghan (Mission: Impossible) and Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of Arnold. 

Luxury, Chaos, and Monkeys

True to its signature formula, Season 3 kicks off with an ominous first scene, teasing yet another mystery death at the resort. 

As tensions rise, so do the shows themes this time, exploring the contrast between self-improvement and base desires.

Guests try to achieve enlightenment while constantly being pulled back to their primal instincts, a struggle visually represented by the cheeky, ever-present monkeys lurking in the trees.

The White Lotus Season 3 premieres this Sunday (16 Feb) on HBO.