The White Lotusstar Jason Isaacs has confirmed how much all the cast members of the anthology series were paid, revealing the series' true cost.The White Lotusseason 3included a number of high-profile stars in key roles, with Isaacs being only one recognizable name in the cast. Other core cast members include Natasha Rothwell, Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Aimee Lou Wood, and Scott Glenn. Each of the show’s cast members had a core role to play in the story, with Isaacs being the lead for the Ratliff family’s storyline.
Speaking withVulture, however, Isaacs revealed thatevery star ofThe White Lotuswas paid $40,000 per episode, no matter if they were a smaller actor or more established in the industry. The star explained how this price was small compared to typical lead actor payments for a TV series, but that most actors “would have paid to be in it” because of the quality of the series. He said that, when it comes to roles he’s chosen in recent years, it hasn’t been for the money. Check out what Isaacs had to say below:
I didn’t know that was public knowledge. That’s absolutely true. Generally actors don’t talk about pay in public because it’s ridiculously disproportionate to what we do - putting on makeup and funny voices - and just upsets the public. But compared to what people normally get paid for big television shows, that’s a very low price. But the fact is, we would have paid to be in it. We probably would have given a body part.
Do I mind that I wasn’t paid more than other people? I never work for money. I’ve done all right. People will think I have huge stockpiles of money but sadly, what I’ve done rather immaturely is expand my outgoings to match my incomings and pretty much spent everything I’ve earned over the years.
What Isaacs White Lotus Pay Says About The Series
A Sensible Decision For The Series' Structure
Isaacs' revelation that everyone on thecast ofThe White Lotuswas paid the same indicates how unorthodox the production of the series was.In a typical TV show, the bigger stars are usually paid morethan everyone else, with the pay structure often determined by how big a role someone has in the series. With HBO’s anthology drama, however, the stars were clearly treated as on equal ground with each other. The same payout was given to every lead actor on the show, no matter their status.
This approach makes sense given the structure of the show, withits multifaceted storylines meaning many characters get the spotlight at the same time. Because there’s no one, central character in the series, it makes sense for everyone to be paid an equal amount for their equal importance to the story. Given the consistency of pay, it seems likelyThe White Lotusseason 4will operate in a similar way behind-the-scenes.
It’s All About Crafting A Strong, Entertaining Experience
Image via Max
The fact Isaacs was excited by the series despite not getting paid as much as a typical TV actor would emphasizes howThe White Lotus' purpose is to entertain above all else. This stretches from creator Mike White’s ideas for the show, alongside the dedication of its core stars to make the series as strong as possible. With the show proving itself a perfect vehicle for many different types of stories to unfold all at once, there’s a clear trust between actors and creators to ensure the quality of the finished series.
