‘White Lotus’ Star Murray Bartlett Joins Pamela Anderson, Ellen Burstyn in Kornél Mundruczó’s ‘Place to Be’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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Actor Murray Bartlett, who is known for “The White Lotus,” has gone back to his homeland Australia to film “Place to Be,” the latest production by award-winning director Kornél Mundruczó (“White God,” “Pieces of a Woman”). The movie is currently being shot.

In “Place to Be,” Bartlett portrays Ron, the bumbling brother of Pamela Anderson, who along with his sister devise a plan to relocate their mother Brooke (played by Ellen Burstyn). The aim is twofold: to find a new residence for their mother and secure access to their deceased father’s artistic inheritance.

Bartlett is trying to move their mom into an expensive senior living facility,” Bartlett says to EbMaster. “He comes off as gruff… But there’s a lot of complexity. There have been many complications in this family situation, especially with his deceased father.”

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“Bartlett is placing their mother in a top-tier assisted living home,” Bartlett tells EbMaster. “He seems rather tough… However, there’s a lot of history and turmoil within the family, mainly due to his late father.

The story, penned by esteemed screenwriter Kata Wéber (famous for “Pieces of a Woman” and “White God”), unfolds around an unforeseen bond between pragmatic Brooke and confused divorcee Nelson, portrayed by Taika Waititi. Their journey, from Chicago to New York, is motivated by the quest to reunite a stray racing pigeon.

Bartlett is now working with Mundruczó and Wéber for a second time, as they had previously collaborated on “At the Sea,” which is currently under post-production.

During the last night of filming ‘At the Sea’, he mentioned casually, ‘I’m producing a movie in your native land, Australia, and I think there’s a part that suits you perfectly.’,” Bartlett recalls. “We enjoyed collaborating immensely… it’s a beautiful experience when you find individuals with whom you resonate deeply and work harmoniously.

Bartlett admires the unconventional style of the Hungarian director: “He’s an exceptional filmmaker because he seeks the unexpected… he often guides you towards unexpected paths during production, which makes for a delightful and stimulating creative hurdle.

The actor likewise shows appreciation for Wéber’s writing: “It’s so beautiful when all the layers are already in the script. Kata has written a truly stunning script, I believe they’ve created a unique language in their scripts and filmmaking that really encapsulates some aspect of human existence.

Bartlett’s professional journey has thrived significantly following his Emmy-winning portrayal of Armond, the hotel manager, in “The White Lotus.” When queried about how this show impacted his life, he openly discusses the profound transformation it brought.

As a result, I found myself with a wider array of options, opportunities I’d never encountered as an actor previously,” Bartlett explains, “and it was truly a wonderful experience.

The actor is currently involved in the filming of “The Death of Robin Hood,” directed by Michael Sarnoski, alongside Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer. This production offers a gritty reinterpretation of Robin Hood’s final days, with my character portraying a secretive individual residing at the Priory who forms an alliance with Robin Hood.

Bartlett describes that since the story is a fable, Sarnoski was immersed in a somewhat magical or mystical setting. They had a fantastic time filming it in Northern Ireland.

His latest achievements encompass a solo episode of “The Last of Us,” widely praised by critics, as well as his performance in “Welcome to Chippendales.” Both projects brought him Emmy Award nominations.

Bartlett praises the script for ‘The Last of Us’ episode, saying it was so captivating that upon arriving on set, everyone found themselves getting choked up. The team felt incredibly moved, exclaiming, ‘Wow, we get to share this story.’

As I reflect on my experience with “Chippendales”, let me tell you it was an absolute blast! Playing the character was a joy, and I was fortunate to work alongside a fantastic team. The storyline is engaging, captivating, and left me with a deep appreciation for the journey.

Produced by Jomon Thomas, Megan Wynn, and Alexander Rodnyansky, ‘A Place to Be’ has Natalya Pavchinskaya, Stuart Manashil, Pankaj Mamtora, Kanesh Mohana Sundaram, Ashley Levinson, Sam Levinson, Viktoria Petranyi, David Edelstein, and the late Kevin Turen serving as executive producers.

I’m fortunate to be represented by the esteemed agencies WME, Anonymous, Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher in my acting career.

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2025-04-01 18:17