Even though it aired its season finale two months ago, audiences are still talking about HBO's The White Lotus.
And it’s a conversation that one of the show's stars, Michelle Monaghan (Bad Monkey), is proud to be a part of. Especially given the fact that she and her character play an integral role in the emotional drama that goes down in season three of Mike White's hit series.
Set at a lavish (and fictional) White Lotus resort in Thailand, the intense humidity and tropical confines bring festering secrets to the surface and reopen old wounds among the guests. This is especially true for famous actress Jaclyn Lemon (Monaghan) and her close knit friend group: Recent divorcee and lawyer Laurie (Carrie Coon) and the gossipy Texas socialite Kate (Leslie Bibb). These old friends find themselves on the verge of becoming new frenemies thanks to White Lotus's unique (and often fatal) brand of hospitality, intrigue and tension.
The season — and their relationship — culminates with a tearful confession from Laurie that plays out like a cleansing breath in monologue form, one that Monaghan was more than present for.
"We knew the scene was really their apex as a trio," Monaghan tells the Television Academy. "I don’t think we knew how moving it would be [for us], personally, until we were actually shooting it. There was a lot of respect and love in the room that night."
Below, the actor reveals what her audition process was like for the show and why she and her fellow actors started a text chain after being cast. She also recalls what it was like working with Tom Cruise, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and director J.J. Abrams on 2006's Mission: Impossible III.
Television Academy: Your dynamic with Leslie and Carrie proved to be very popular with fans of the show. How much rehearsal time did the three of you have prior to shooting to establish your relationships?
Michelle Monaghan: As soon as we were cast in our respective roles, we started a text chain called “The Ladies.” We chatted [about] backstory and shared personal photos of ourselves as teenagers to help establish a timeline for the “lifelong friends” aspect of the storyline. Upon arriving in Thailand, we spent a lot of time hanging out, enjoying meals together and lots of pool time. It was really invaluable in terms of finding a natural connection and rhythm. The rest was all gravy.
What I love about your performances, especially here, is that you seem to give the material the exact amount of whatever it needs to connect with an audience. How challenging is it to deliver such a performance on a show with so many moving parts, on a show that thrives on such rich subtext and characters?
What I love about Mike’s writing is that he just creates an open playing field for everyone. He writes characters that are all a little ambiguous — and morally challenged. Finding the humanity in those moments [and] grounding a character is what I live for as an actor. My goal isn’t so much to have a character be liked as much as it is to have a character be understood.
Carrie Coon, Monaghan and Bibb in a scene from White Lotus / Credit: HBO
How much input did you have with Mike on shaping your character’s personality?
Working with Mike to develop Jaclyn was so much fun. A lot of the character was already on the page. We discovered Jaclyn’s layers everyday, depending on what Mike was responding to. In particular, Mike and I explored how "affected" Jaclyn was due to her being a famous actress. What qualities we might want to lean into, neuroses we wanted to push, etc. We were curious about how she publicly presents herself — and, alternatively — who she is behind closed doors. We ultimately gave her more depth and complexity as opposed to the initial surface-level character that we meet in the beginning. She has a lot of different colors — she’s an actress, after all.
It’s been reported that everyone has to audition for this show: What was your audition process like?
We just came out of the strikes and I think White Lotus was one of the first projects [that was] casting. Mike sent sides for three "Jaclyn" scenes and my friend and fellow actor, Erin Cahill, came over and helped me with the self-tape. I was just sincerely excited to have a glimpse into what season three was going to be — let alone getting the actual role. It’s been an opportunity of a lifetime.
What are some challenges, or some fun aspects, of joining an anthology show like this?
I was fortunate to have done the first season of True Detective and that was incredibly special. It felt like a very intense piece of art that we were making, but the lovely thing was that it had no expectations. On the contrary, being a part of season three of White Lotus was loaded with expectations. Personally, I felt an immense pressure to deliver creatively [on] what Mike White intended. The show is so beloved and a literal cultural phenomenon. It’s the most immersive and interactive experience I’ve ever had. I’ve loved every second of it.
Carrie’s character has that emotional, pivotal monologue in the season finale. What are your memories of shooting that scene and how did you prepare for it?
We knew the scene was really their apex as a trio. We knew it would be emotional. I don’t think we knew how moving it would be [for us], personally, until we were actually shooting it. It was grounded, cathartic and authentic. It felt like we were closing a chapter as characters, friends and actors. There was a lot of respect and love in the room that night.
How has working on this show changed or maybe influenced your process as an actor?
I think you get to really explore your range on this show. Mike pushes it to the extremes and it was a constant reminder to have fun and lose yourself in the performance. I remembered why I love comedy so much and it has inspired me to do more of it.
Lastly, my first job in Hollywood was working at Paramount on the marketing for Mission: Impossible III, which kicks off with an interrogation of sorts featuring your character, Julia. It’s one of the franchise’s most famous (and riveting) opening scenes. What can you recall about shooting that sequence?
That opening scene was one of the most intense scenes I’ve ever shot. I think we filmed it over two, maybe three, days. I remember feeling utterly exhausted by the end of it. Tom, Philip [Seymour Hoffman] and I were just so deeply invested. It was very emotional and I remember feeling very connected to Tom in that scene. I can remember it all acutely.
Later in the movie, Ethan and Julia get married at the hospital she works at with rings from a vending machine. It's such a lovely beat; do you have any memorable behind the scenes stories filming that with Cruise and J.J.?
I remember all of us giggling like school kids, to be honest. J.J. took such great care of that relationship and Tom is just such an extraordinary costar. We leaned into every aspect of that new dynamic — and how profound this love was for Ethan Hunt. It will always be one of my favorite films for the experience I had with both of them.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The White Lotus is now streaming on HBO Max.
