Haley Lu Richardson says 'White Lotus' followers who assume her character Portia is 'the actual villain of the present' must 'go to remedy'

• Haley Lu Richardson appeared on Selection’s “Only for Selection” podcast. 
• Richardson addressed “White Lotus” followers who felt her character was the “actual villain” of season two. 
• She additionally mentioned taking criticism towards her character personally. 

Haley Lu Richardson defended her “White Lotus” character, Portia, by saying followers who believed she was “the actual villain of the present” must “go to remedy.” 

Richardson shared her ideas about followers hating Portia throughout Wednesday’s episode of Selection’s “Only for Selection” podcast. She first performed the character in season two of “White Lotus,” which aired in October 2022. The present has gained a number of Emmy Awards because it debuted in July 2021. 

“The one factor that I believed was really sort of unfair and warped was the individuals who have been saying that she was terrible or she was the actual villain of the season,” Richardson mentioned, including that she believes Portia will not be practically as dangerous as different characters. 

“There is not any means that you would be able to have a look at that younger lady and be like, ‘She is essentially the most terrible one on this present.’ Individuals who assume that ought to go to remedy,” she added. 

In the identical interview, Richardson acknowledged that she wasn’t used to fame when season two aired, and that seeing her character criticized on-line initially upset her. She instructed the podcast host that she discovered to separate herself from criticism meant for Portia. 

“I simply hadn’t been in that scenario earlier than, so I did get unhappy,” Richardson mentioned. “There was most likely the primary couple of episodes the place I used to be seeing some issues and reactions to issues with Portia and me that I used to be taking personally or I wasn’t absolutely positive the way to take it or the way to course of it.” 

Richardson mentioned she ultimately “leaned into it” and loved studying folks’s opinions about her character.

Whereas not a lot is thought about season three, sources near manufacturing instructed Selection in March that filming would happen in Thailand. The outlet reported that filming for the 2 earlier seasons occurred at 4 Seasons resorts in Hawaii and Italy, respectively, so season three might happen at one of many nation’s 4 properties.

Showrunner Mike White revealed within the “Unpacking S2 E7” clip featured after the season two finale that he wished season three to happen in Asia and focus on “dying and Jap faith and spirituality.” 

“The primary season sort of highlighted cash, after which the second season is intercourse,” White mentioned. “I believe the third season can be possibly a satirical and humorous have a look at dying and Jap faith and spirituality. It feels prefer it could possibly be a wealthy tapestry to do one other spherical at White Lotus.”