Why ‘The White Lotus‘ Makes Even Big Stars Audition
HBO’s The White Lotus has become one of the network’s biggest breakout hits — and with that success comes a growing list of actors openly saying they’d love to be part of a future season. But landing a role on the acclaimed series isn’t just about having a famous name or an impressive résumé.
According to casting director Meredith Tucker, everyone auditions.
In a recent interview with IndieWire, Tucker opened up about what it’s really like casting The White Lotus, what creator Mike White looks for in actors, and why the audition process matters — even for established stars.
Experience, Skill, and Stamina Matter
Tucker explains that Mike White gives very few strict rules when it comes to casting. But for the first season, there was one clear priority: experience.
“The first season he said that because there were going to be a lot of long scenes and a very tight shooting schedule, ‘I need people with experience,’” Tucker shared. “I need skilled stage actors who could handle learning a lot of material and doing sustained takes.”
In other words, The White Lotus isn’t just about delivering funny or dramatic moments — it’s about consistency, endurance, and being able to live truthfully inside long scenes. White values actors who can stay present and grounded, even when the material is demanding.
And humor? That’s essential too.
“With his stuff, you have to have a sense of humor,” Tucker said. “You’re not playing it for the comedy — you’re playing the truthfulness of it all.”
Why Everyone Is Asked to Read
One of the most surprising takeaways from Tucker’s interview is that even well-known actors are asked to audition.
“Even with the name-ier people, he does like to talk it through, and he very much likes everyone to read,” she explained. “He likes to not just see the actors — he also likes to hear the dialogue.”
This approach allows White to understand how each actor connects to the material, how they interpret the dialogue, and what they bring to the role beyond their reputation.
Interestingly, Tucker notes that some actors who typically wouldn’t audition are willing to read for The White Lotus simply because they want to be part of the project. That says a lot about the show’s creative reputation — and how much actors value meaningful storytelling.
Creating Space for New Faces
This audition-first mindset also opens doors for lesser-known actors, which is something Tucker genuinely loves about her job.
“I always like to give new people opportunities, people who aren’t as well-known,” she said. “That’s one of the fun things about casting.”
For Tucker, casting isn’t about checking names off a list. It’s about discovery — watching an actor walk into an audition and completely change how a role is seen.
“To see an actor really do an amazing audition… and then the showrunner looks at the part in a completely different way because of what that person brought to it — that’s very exciting.”
What Actors Can Learn From This
If The White Lotus teaches actors anything, it’s this: auditions still matter — no matter where you are in your career. Preparation, authenticity, and a strong connection to the material can open doors, even on one of TV’s most talked-about shows.
You don’t need to be famous. You need to be ready.
