Natasha Rothwell on Belinda’s ‘White Lotus’ Face-Off With Greg and Season 4 Ideas: ‘I Want to Know What It’s Like to Have the Power Over a White Man’

ATTENTION: The following narration may reveal key events from the final episode of “The White Lotus” Season 3, currently available on Max.

Belinda is safe!

As the sole guest at The White Lotus resort who is aware of its dark past, things have seemed suspicious for Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) throughout the entire season. A beloved character from the first season of “The White Lotus,” she instantly recognized Greg (Jon Gries) upon seeing him in Thailand, a recognition that brought back memories of Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), the wealthy woman who had pledged to financially support Belinda’s spa but reneged on her promise during season 1. Upon searching Tanya’s name online, Belinda discovered that Greg was her husband and that Tanya had passed away shortly after their marriage, which put Belinda in a very precarious position.

Following learning from hotel manager Fabian that Greg had been inquiring about her location, Belinda understandably grew concerned for her wellbeing. However, she ultimately emerged victorious. At first, Greg attempted to persuade her he was someone else, but later confessed his true identity to Belinda and proposed a payment of $100,000 to ensure her silence (presenting it more delicately by insisting he was innocent of murdering his wife). Initially hesitant to accept the so-called “blood money,” Belinda was persuaded by her son, Zion, a budding business student at the University of Hawaii, to meet with Greg for further discussion. In the end, Zion skillfully negotiated an increase in the hush funds to $5 million. Before departing Thailand, Belinda informed Pornchai, a White Lotus massage therapist she had a brief affair with, that she couldn’t proceed with their business plans. With newfound wealth and smiles on their faces, mother and son left Thailand behind.

Rothwell discussed with EbMaster the topic of Belinda’s significant victory and if she intends to come back on “The White Lotus” for Season 4.

Did you know how Belinda’s arc would end when you signed on to join Season 3?

Upon joining, I hadn’t made up my mind yet, but post the completion of the deal, definitely yes. Initially, I expressed readiness to go wherever needed with an enthusiastic “I’ll be there.” There was no hesitation or need for scripts to ponder over. My admiration for Mike White and the team, as well as my affection for HBO, made the decision effortless. As soon as I received the scripts, I devoured them, reading all eight in a single sitting. Excited, I called him immediately, finding him in Thailand scouting locations. I couldn’t contain my excitement, shouting “Oh my god! It’s fantastic! This is massive!” Over time, it was rewarding to see the project take shape and eventually be revealed to the world, unveiling all my hidden aspects.

As you were reading, did you have any predictions? Were you worried at all that Belinda would get die?

Absolutely. HBO has a knack for this – be it “Game of Thrones” or “The White Lotus”. They aren’t shy about subjecting their main characters to tragedy, which is why reading Belinda’s story had me on edge. And it turned out that the anxiety I sensed in those who were watching, and their concern for Belinda, was not unfounded. As I read, I shared their apprehension.

How did it feel to have a familial relationship on-screen this time, with Nicholas Duvernay playing your son Zion, instead of only co-workers like in Season 1?

In Episode 8, it was heartwarming to witness him genuinely step up to care for his mother. As a professional caregiver herself and a single young mom, seeing him support her was particularly touching. It made me reflect on my own relationship with my parents and the stage we reached where we were trying to build a friendship. I remember the awkwardness of it all – questioning whether it was okay to drink in front of my mom or navigating other such complexities. So, it was really endearing to see Belinda reveal his softer side in this context.

Zion drinks in front of Belinda, and he also pushes back on her decisions. Do you think she was secretly hoping he would challenge her on turning down Greg’s money? Or were she and Zion really on opposite sides before he convinced her?

From my perspective, she and I found ourselves at odds, yet our bond remains unquestionably maternal with a tinge of friendship. However, as the mother, it’s crucial that I set an example and guide, not wishing to be a role model who endorses amassing wealth through questionable means. I truly believe she intended to do what was right, and in deference to Zion, she advised him, “Just listen to him.” It wasn’t until she arrived that she realized Zion aimed to seize control, and I could see the risk he posed across from Greg. Despite understanding his perilous nature, Zion seems oblivious to it due to his youthful belief in invincibility. He doesn’t sense the same fear that I do. Belinda might think it’s a leap from $100,000 to a million, but enough for her. So when he pursues five million, that’s why you see her pause, almost as if she’s shocked by his audacity. She seems to say, “Oh, he’s really going over the top.

At that same instant, she notices Greg displaying a hint of unease. During filming, we captured numerous angles for that scene, which meant my attention was primarily on John. He’s an exceptional actor, his facial expressions and reactions are captivating. It’s when Zion utters “5 million” that you can discern his apprehension: “She might ask for more.” This is the point where Belinda becomes invested. She thinks, “I have the upper hand. I want to experience what it’s like to hold power over a white man. I’ve served so many of them. This is my chance to claim that power.

You’ve spoken about how you suggested adding the moment earlier in the season where Belinda smiles and acknowledges the first other Black people she sees on the resort based on your own experiences vacationing places with low Black populations. Belinda also wears a bonnet over her hair when she checks her bank account in the middle of the night and sees that Greg sent the five million. Tell me how it felt to experience that win as your character, and to infuse some Blackness into the moment as an actor.

In my critique as a movie connoisseur, I frequently emphasize the importance of subtlety when crafting characters of color. It’s not about grand transformations, but rather small, authentic details that breathe life into these characters. For instance, if a character is awake at night, she might be wearing a headwrap (bonnet), without any makeup and pacing restlessly, as these details ground her in reality, making her relatable and accessible to the audience.

I was excited to share with her the immense joy of receiving such great news, as Mike urged me to fully absorb its impact – not just for the present, but for what it promises in the future. One topic I discussed with Nicholas was my transformation from being financially struggling, a state I endured for a long time prior to my success on “Insecure.” It’s hard to imagine life before that success, where I was always worrying about money and bills. Even though I still think about those things, it’s different now. A moment that stands out is when I finally paid off my student loans, something I had deferred many times because I couldn’t afford them. The relief of being free from that financial burden, the lifting of despair, was something I wanted to convey to her. Belinda, who truly deserves it, experienced a financial release with me, and it was beautiful.

How do you feel about where Belinda left things with Pornchai? It’s not as cruel as what Tanya did to her at the end of Season 1, but there’s a bit of a mirror there.

In that particular instance, Belinda chose not to act with the burden of guilt. If viewers revisit this season, they’ll notice that Belinda isn’t committed to partnering with Pornchai; she’s merely contemplating it. This differs significantly from Season 1, where Tanya would eagerly say, “Let’s do it! Here are the papers! Show me your business plan.” However, Belinda didn’t lead Pornchai on. It seemed that Pornchai was more drawn to Belinda and the idea than Belinda was. They shared mutual feelings for each other both physically and emotionally, but professionally, I believe Belinda wasn’t fully invested because it wasn’t practical. Her son doesn’t live there, and there are many aspects she would need to sort out. Thus, it didn’t carry the same weight of disappointment, but because Belinda understands her past struggles, she bears the weight of guilt. This sentiment echoes my personal life. Making decisions that prioritize oneself can be difficult when others suffer as a result, but it is essential and acceptable to make choices that benefit you. In this series, we witness Belinda making a decision for herself, putting her needs first for the first time.

She’s unlikely to jump into starting a business right away. Instead, she seems content with savoring and adapting to the tranquility that comes with financial stability. You understand her sentiment well, given your own experience with debt – juggling expenses like paying for MetroCards in New York or scrambling to find change off the subway floor just to make it to your next commitment. For her, the freedom from pressing concerns like helping Zion complete his education or meeting unexpected costs such as uniform deposits is a significant relief. This is why she yearns for a brief period of wealth, simply to appreciate the feeling of being debt-free and self-sufficient, without owing anything to anyone or needing help from others.

Sam Nivola told us that he predicts Zion will be back for Season 4, which seems like it would have to involve Belinda and Greg too. As nice as it is to see Belinda win, it doesn’t seem likely to remain uncomplicated for her. Do you think you’ll be back next season?

It’s not simple, to put it plainly: I haven’t discussed with Mike the possibility of his return. Frankly, I’m clueless. I’m as ignorant as Jon Snow. However, while reading the script, I highlighted and marked a particular line that read something like, “I want to be elusive. We need to depart immediately.” It seems plausible that Belinda might use the money and inform the police, given her precarious position. This could force Greg to abandon Thailand and pursue her, as he feels betrayed since he gave her money to keep quiet, and she didn’t. This thought of vengeance stirred in me a glimmer of hope that I might return, perhaps Belinda is hiding out at one of the White Lotus resorts.

Here’s my proposed rewording: “That would be my fanfiction idea. It seems intriguing to me to explore how this choice might complicate her life even further. I don’t view it as a negative decision per se, but rather one that required her to make sacrifices on her moral principles, yet the outcome could prove to be rewarding.

This conversation has been shortened and adjusted. For further analysis on “The White Lotus” series finale, such as recaps, actor interviews, and reviews, check out our complete coverage here.

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2025-04-08 01:47