White Lotus Star SLAMS Meghan McCain & Marvel?! ☕

⚠️ CAUTION: This piece includes significant revelations from the finale of “White Lotus” Season 3, currently available on Max. Proceed with care if you wish to avoid spoilers!

On the final episode of White Lotus’s HBO drama season on Sunday, Laurie was prepared to leave her adventure behind. Similarly, Carrie Coon was eager to go home. In fact, she mentioned to EbMaster on Monday that the shooting process wasn’t a breeze.

Living with two kids in New York City, while immediately diving into “The Gilded Age” production only 48 hours after returning from Thailand, the filming of “The White Lotus” proved to be a rewarding experience for her, as she admits. Indeed, it was.

Based on Laurie’s unconventional camaraderie that echoed aspects of her actual life events, as well as the thrilling tale of her chase after the final gunshots, Coon shares insights into her journey with “The White Lotus.

Many of the cast watched the finale together last night — did you watch it live?

Absolutely, we did watch together! My brother-in-law and sister-in-law from Singapore were meant to join us but ended up falling asleep instead. They’re currently catching up on it in our basement. It’s only fitting because my husband was the one who made all the sacrifices for me to participate in this show, and he is not just my number one fan, but the opinion I value most when it comes to my work.

Did he like it? He approved?

As a passionate film buff, I found myself completely immersed in the narrative threads. The spiritual aspects captivated me, and I went into each movie blind, having no prior knowledge of the storyline. Consequently, I was genuinely taken aback by numerous plot twists and developments!

I know you shot multiple endings. Did you know the deaths or what ending was coming?

Of course, I didn’t make up that information! I simply recall what I was involved in, and unfortunately, I had slipped my memory. In truth, I maintained a casual connection with other plotlines to fully appreciate the series as a viewer. Consequently, some details escaped me. Moreover, we all experienced cuts in our content, so I was aware of certain elements that didn’t make it into the final product due to narrative decisions, which made it difficult to let go of those parts, especially since they affected the ending.

Yes, we heard the original finale was 2 1/2 hours!

Yeah that tracks; we shot a lot. The director’s cut maybe will come out on Blu-ray!

One of the most powerful scenes in the finale is Laurie’s speech at their final dinner. What was that like to perform? How many takes did you do?

I recall that particular scene being the core of the season when I read through the scripts. The other storylines were grand and dramatic, while ours seemed smaller and less connected. We questioned if it would resonate with audiences, but we appreciated its relatability. There was a significant build-up to an intense final monologue at the end of the season, which I’ve faced before. It’s not my first time on set. However, preparation is still necessary. Shooting in that atrium was like shooting in a greenhouse; it was the hottest temperature I’ve ever experienced and we were all drenched in sweat. Thus, the intense heat was our initial challenge. We started with my scene first, as I had an emotional approach to it, and delivered the take convincingly. However, Mike had a unique vision for how the monologue should be portrayed – not a different idea, but rather a specific interpretation of that moment and speech, and the tone he desired. I acknowledged his creative direction, saying “It seems you have something specific in mind. Let’s persist with this.” He replied, “I apologize, can we try again?” I responded, “No apologies! We will keep going as many times as needed.

The crux lies in addressing your dialogue towards your co-actors. Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, and I had resided together in Thailand for half a year, and during those six months, we cultivated our unique friendship. In many aspects, this friendship echoed the highs and lows that define family bonds and new friendships, which we eventually formed. Therefore, it’s about how they reacted to it. The only way you can accomplish something like that sincerely is due to the people who are listening to you. The finest performances occur between individuals. So, I credit them all for helping me maintain my focus in that instant.

Something you said — you wondered if it would work — reminded me that Leslie said on a panel last night that at first, she was worried the women’s storyline was boring. Was that a conversation you guys had?

In this case,

The question of whether there would be enough material for me to leave my family for six months and travel to Thailand was definitely on my mind. I wondered if it would provide sufficient substance for a compelling story, but I knew that every piece of art needs its secret or hidden meaning, which the audience can decipher. In “The White Lotus,” Belinda serves as that cipher for viewers. As our scenes were filmed first, we spent the initial weeks shooting only with the female characters. The show focuses on three women, and then we found ourselves with more free time. This made me realize how well Mike, the director, understood these women and was intrigued by their friendships’ complexities. He gave us extended scenes, although they were significantly reduced in the final edit to maintain balance within the storyline. Mike genuinely enjoyed exploring the dynamic between the characters, which reassured me that he would handle the ladies’ portrayals carefully in the final product. I had complete faith in him, and that was my primary reason for going to Thailand – to collaborate with Mike. Working alongside him was the main goal; any additional benefits were a bonus.

So was the final monologue a mashup of your take and Mike’s take?

As for that information, I’m drawing a blank – it seems to be something from my past. I have two kids in my family. The day was incredibly sweltering! I suspect it was likely during our third attempt, as I recall one of the instructions emphasizing a slight speed-up.

So many people are saying it felt so real to them. Was there a line that really hit home for you?

Indeed, the narrative contained elements deeply rooted in our everyday existence. As our journey together neared its conclusion, it became effortless to acknowledge the gratitude we felt for sharing that table, as well as contemplate the implications of our decisions. Regardless of one’s career path, being a woman in this specific industry inevitably entails constant reflection on personal choices and an understanding that comparisons will be drawn among us, simply because this is the society we inhabit. The truthfulness with which Mike depicted Leslie’s life and Michelle’s countenance, as well as their reciprocal portrayal, lends credibility to his work.

I’m particularly proud of the project we completed together, as it’s not common for me to collaborate with women around my age in a meaningful capacity. More often than not, we find ourselves competing or working in separate scenes. However, on this occasion, there were numerous women like Parker Posey and Natasha Rothwell, who are contemporaries, making it a precious opportunity for me at this stage of my career to work with such talented and dedicated female peers, particularly individuals as accomplished and prepared as Leslie and Michelle.

Do you have a clear understanding — and how much did you and Mike talk about — what’s bringing Laurie down at home? It’s a bit vague on the show.

To put it simply, Michelle’s observations appear to be accurate – she didn’t secure a partner role at work, and she often voices her concerns, including about the male colleagues she works with. We also know that her marriage ended and she’s dealing with alimony, which might suggest workplace issues stemming from motherhood if she can’t always be on call. Her daughter has been mentioned as facing challenges, and there were hints in the media that her child might identify as nonbinary and be grappling with personal struggles. Mike addressed this issue briefly, but it wasn’t delved into deeply. However, I was aware of the difficulties Laurie was experiencing at home because… (something specific about your knowledge).

For approximately half a year, I was separated from my young children and spouse due to work commitments. As a result, you won’t see me in many of the backstage photos because whenever I had free time, I had to rush back home to New York. This meant that I missed out on traveling to places like Cambodia with everyone else. However, I don’t feel resentment towards those who had this experience. Instead, I didn’t get to partake in it myself. As soon as I returned home, my role as a mother and wife resumed, making my return incredibly challenging for me.

And you started “The Gilded Age” immediately.

I began working about 48 hours after I arrived, and kept at it until mid-January, making this an exceptional year as an actor – I have nothing to grumble about. However, from the perspective of being a mother, it was extremely demanding. In other words, there were numerous situations in which I could draw upon Stanislavski’s techniques, given all the upheaval my family experienced.

For sure! One scene I want to mention is the boat ride home: The women don’t look too freaked out after having witnessed a mass murder?!

In simpler terms,

I admire how the situation unfolds because Mike was searching for a particular emotional moment for Jaclyn. She appears to be going through something deeply felt, and Laurie is there to provide practical assistance. Meanwhile, he offers Kate some quiet reflection time. We’re not sure what exactly is happening in that scene. Leslie’s acting throughout the season was incredibly subtle, precise, and humorous – I’m glad she got that closing shot. However, it seemed like Jaclyn might have made that moment about herself.

Are you aware that your run away from the shots is already all over the internet? What was the direction there?

As a movie buff, I could sense the impending gunshot and our subsequent dash into the bushes. You see, I’m an American, born and raised in New York City, so I’ve got a sixth sense for knowing where the exits are in any place I find myself. When the situation called for it, I instinctively thought, “What would anyone do?” The answer was clear: I needed to move fast, to flee, to evade danger. I might not be as swift as I once was, but I can still outrun most!

In the background, some courteous Thai workers were scurrying about. I felt a moment of compassion, thinking they could use a bit more excitement in their scene. “No,” I thought, “this isn’t a Thai soap opera. This is real life. You need Americans sprinting, diving for cover, and even jumping into the lagoon. The stakes are high. The Americans know what this means!

100%. So you’ve been very vocal politically and this was written before Trump was re-elected. I know you commented a bit on Laurie’s child, but do you think Laurie would have acted any differently had been written after?

During our discussions, there were instances that seemed to anticipate the possible response, although Mike penned them down before the election. These instances could have been pertinent responses, but they weren’t numerous. I don’t want to overstate their significance. Our conversation wasn’t prolonged, but it was tailored to Laurie’s current situation. It’s hard to say how different it would be. We all experience such insightful moments with people, regardless of the context. Living here feels like being in the midst of the Civil War; there’s a lot of division, even within families. My family is united, but not everyone in my extended family shares the same views. Navigating these contentious moments can be tricky, or else emotions escalate and reconciliation becomes necessary. Laurie, being a boisterous New Yorker, is always unpredictable!

Speaking of politics, Meghan McCain recently started talking about you on social media and, as one headline put it, slut-shamed your character! Did that surprise you, how invested she seems to be?

I hope Meghan enjoyed the finale. I’m glad she’s watching the show.

Lastly, I have to ask about your husband Tracy Letts’ comments regarding you turning down ‘Avengers: Endgame’ due to pay — and his AMAZING quote saying but then you guys would have had to watch the movies, which was out of the question. He said Marvel said you should feel fortunate to be part of the MCU. Hearing that seems so harsh — and something a man would never be told. How did you react to that?

People often hear that they’re lucky just to be part of a successful industry. It’s like starting in a business and getting an entry-level job with an entry-level salary. After working there for 10 years, you’ve moved up but are still not earning what you should. Then, an excellent company offers you a job, and they say they want to hire you. You accept because it’s a great opportunity, but they only offer you the same entry-level salary you had in your first job. You work for them, and they keep extending your contract. When you ask for a raise that matches your experience, they refuse. This is similar to what many people face in our industry.

The takeaway is that my time holds greater worth elsewhere, which is why I decide to leave this company cordially, as everyone understands. Given my personal circumstances, such as being a part of a family, my time is too precious to be invested here. This choice is purely based on business considerations. I believe that these remarks may not be as sexist as they seem; rather, they reflect the direction the film industry was moving in at that time. Intellectual property was dominating the market then. Perhaps we’re witnessing a change or even a reversal. Maybe we’re seeing a pendulum swing back. I think there is widespread misconception about what we get compensated for under such circumstances. If people knew, I believe they would be amazed and would understand my decision better.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-07 20:20