Warning: This article contains spoilers aboutThe White Lotusseason 2, episode 3.
But it turns out that scene was originally even more revealing than it appears onscreen.
Later, when she asked Ethan for his opinion on that moment, he brushed it aside.
Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Theo James, and Meghann Fahy on ‘The White Lotus’.Fabio Lovino/HBO
Below, James tells EW how that premiere scene almost contained a full-frontal moment for him.
We shot that and it felt too much, too aggressive.
What we came to is a bit more opaque, and that’s exactly what Mike does so well.
Aubrey Plaza as Harper Spiller on ‘The White Lotus’.Francesca D’Angelo/HBO
You’re never sure a hundred percent of the characters' intentions.
What was Harper thinking in that moment?
So it hits a nerve and she doesn’t know how to react.
She doesn’t know how she feels.
Without spoiling anything, it plants the seed for stuff to come.
How does this impact the couples' vacation moving forward?
PLAZA:Well, Harper doesn’t know what happened.
She has no idea.
SHARPE:It definitely leads to more doubt and affects their trust.
How have they changed?
Are they good people?
Are they bad people?
Maybe there’s something in it for them too.
If anything, it really changes things for Harper and Ethan.
FAHY:And they both reveal that to the other couple in the same moment.
So it’s both good and bad.
Initially we want one-upmanship.
I think they’re also not unaware of how it’s affecting the other couple.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
The White Lotusairs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.
