<em>The White Lotus</em> Season 4 Dream Cast: 27 Actors ELLE Editors Are Eyeing
As of this article’s writing, we only know of a few confirmed actors who will appear in the fourth season of HBO’s acclaimed vacation anthology series The White Lotus: Alexander Ludwig of Vikings, Steve Coogan of Alan Partridge, Caleb Jonte Edwards of Black Snow, and AJ Michalka of—yes, indeed—Aly & AJ. Actors Helena Bonham Carter and Chris Messina are, reportedly, in talks to join them. But as we await more announcements, ELLE editors got to talking: Who would we want to see join the group in France this season? Which actors possess the charisma, the comedic timing, and the dramatic versatility—not to mention the meme-worthy line delivery—that showrunner Mike White so seems to relish?
The list of potential inclusions is practically endless, so a group of editors brainstormed our favorites, narrowing the list down to the 27 options we’d present to White (should we ever have the honor). Here’s who we’d book for a luxury stay in Saint-Tropez.
“Mike White loves a throwback, so may I humbly suggest Cameron Diaz for this season’s Parker Posey-esque role? After working nearly nonstop for two decades, Diaz disappeared from our screens for more than 10 years, only to return in a mediocre Netflix movie last year. Checking into The White Lotus would be a real comeback.”—Kayla Webley Adler, deputy editor and features director
“It’s right there in her name: Da’Vine Joy Randolph brings joy with her everywhere she goes. Not only does the Oscar winner have serious drama skills, but she’s downright hilarious. (Her comedic performances in the 2025 film Eternity and the Hulu series High Fidelity rank amongst my all-time favorites.) Give her the suite in The White Lotus that she deserves.” —Lauren Puckett-Pope, senior culture editor
“I enjoyed Daryl McCormack’s performance in the latest Knives Out film as Cy Draven, the young politician desperate to use any means necessary—‘the race thing, the gender thing, the trans thing, the border thing, the homeless thing, the war thing, the election thing, the abortion thing, the climate thing,’ and so on—to gain influence. Sounds like the kind of character that might fit in well with a certain group of resort-goers, hmm? I think McCormack could do a fantastic job in another comedic ensemble with a very different vibe.”—LPP
“I’ll be honest...I just want Dev Patel in everything. But do I genuinely think he’d be fantastic in The White Lotus? Of course I do! He’s Dev Patel!”—LPP
“The Crazy Rich Asians star will next appear in the Netflix adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s novel The Five-Star Weekend, and if her casting in that particular project is any indication, she’d be right at home on the set of The White Lotus. And, please, let her bring some of her own wardrobe to set. The woman is a fashion icon.”—LPP
“As far as I’m concerned, the Heated Rivalry stars—whose stratospheric rise doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon—should come as a package deal, at least for a show like The White Lotus. They could play friends, lovers, brothers, spouses (spouses!!!)...I care not, so long as we get to see these two work their endless charms.”—LPP
“I mean, come on. Need I say more? The iconic, acclaimed French actress and ‘queen of Cannes’ would make perfect sense for The White Lotus’s trip to Saint-Tropez. Give her one single five-second cameo and I’d be thrilled.”—LPP
“Jesse Eisenberg knows a thing or two about playing a megalomaniac billionaire, so why not cast him where he belongs? In a luxe French château masterminded by Mike White.”—Burake Teshome, senior social media editor
“He’s handsome but you don't always recognize it, and he’s unassuming enough to play mysterious.”—Adrienne Gaffney, features editor
“The White Lotus can get weird at times, but imagine if it got even weirder. I say that as a compliment regarding Julio Torres, whose out-of-the-box, surreal humor can add an eccentric edge to any ensemble.”—Erica Gonzales, deputy editor, digital content
“I am so here for the June Squibb renaissance. (Squibissance?). The 96-year-old star appeared in her first lead role in 2024’s Thelma and followed it up with another starring role in 2025’s Eleanor the Great. She’s currently acting in Marjorie Prime on Broadway, but if the nonagenarian can fit White Lotus into her busy schedule, I’d love to see it.”—KWA
“Few actresses can claim Keke Palmer’s complete and utter magnetism. Practically every other word out of her mouth becomes a viral meme; she’s near-impossible not to love. She deserves to shake up Saint-Tropez—and give The White Lotus season 4 a press tour for the ages.”—LPP
“Kelly Rutherford doesn’t just live in the South of France; she breathes it. Armed with an arsenal of Birkins, she could stroll right into The White Lotus without an audition. We, as a society, need Lily van der Woodsen back on the small screen.”—Claire Stern Milch, digital director
“And Just Like That...who? This is the second act Samantha Jones loyalists need and deserve.”—CSM
“Mike White’s muse Laura Dern is way overdue to officially appear on The White Lotus, following her cameo (as a voice on the phone) in season 2.”—Sara Austin, executive editor
“The White Lotus has a history of casting young on-the-rise talent, such as Sydney Sweeney, Aimee Lou Wood, Haley Lu Richardson, and Lukas Gage, over the years. Next on the list should be someone like Lola Tung. It’d be a pleasure to see The Summer I Turned Pretty actress stretch beyond her teen-drama roots for an edgier role in this HBO series.”—LPP
“Luke Wilson did, in my opinion, the best work of his career as a functioning drug addict in Mike White's incredible HBO series Enlightened, and he is overdue for another plum role. Plus, who better to parody the malaise of the rich and beautiful than Richie Tannenbaum himself?”—SA
“Real Weeds fans know she’d absolutely kill it on The White Lotus.”—CSM
“Mike White channeled a ’90s icon with Parker Posey in season 3, and he can do it again with the decade’s queen of rom-coms, Meg Ryan. I’d love to see the actress make a big, splashy comeback, and I think she’d be great for the show.”—EG
“She’s one of the greatest leading actresses of all time (duh), but she’s also fit right into large ensemble casts before, including HBO’s Big Little Lies and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Personally, I’d love it if she checked into the famed hotel as her The Devil Wears Prada character Miranda Priestly.”—KWA
Dakota Johnson Becomes Marilyn Monroe in Film
Meet Ted Lasso Season 4’s Women’s Soccer Team
House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 6 Recap
Who Is Alysanne Blackwood on House of the Dragon?
The Rings of Power Season 3 Shares First Trailer
Everything We Know About Prime Video’s Carrie
Meet Matt Damon’s Female Stunt Double, Devyn Dalton
Taylor Zakhar Perez Joins 13 Going on 30 Reboot
