The White Lotus season four cast: Could this A-list actress be returning to the show?

The last season of The White Lotus may have only finished three months ago, but noses are already primed for any whiff of casting and location rumours when it comes to The White Lotus season four.

Every series of the hit HBO show follows a cohort of entitled wealthy Americans as they fail to enjoy their holidays in some of the most beautiful places in the world. The cast changes with each location, and someone dies each season.

Part of the appeal of The White Lotus is its ever-changing melange of famous faces, sprinkled with a handful of up-and-comers. Previous casts have included the likes of Sydney Sweeney, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Parker Posey, Sam Rockwell, F. Murray Abraham and Lisa from Blackpink.

The entire cast never returns, but there is at least one exception each season. Jennifer Coolidge’s ditzy, troubled heiress Tanya McQuoid was present in seasons one and two. Natasha Rothwell, who played hopeful masseuse Belinda, was present in seasons one and three. And John Gries’s conniving character Greg has been a constant throughout all three seasons.

So, who will be returning to the cast of The White Lotus season four? Well, Mike White may have just given us our first clue.

White was recently seen having lunch in Los Angeles with a very prominent actress, and someone who would fit The White Lotus casting bill to a tee.

It was none other than Laura Dern, star of Jurassic Park, Little Women and Big Little Lies.

But there’s more: Dern would actually be a returning cast member on The White Lotus season four, even though her brief season two cameo may have flown under the average viewer’s radar.

In case you didn’t know, Dern played the estranged wife of the philandering father Dominic (Michael Imperioli). She never appeared on screen but can be heard on the other end of the phone when he calls her in the first episode of season two.

Dominic is attempting to reconcile, but he’s quickly put in his place by Abby (Dern), who has had enough of his incessant cheating. In other words, her tragic backstory is already written.

White and Dern have also worked together before, on their two-season HBO dramedy Enlightened. In theory, it could be a perfect reunion both off and on screen.

As well as the frenzy around The White Lotus season four castings, fans are still desperately clamouring to find out where the next season could be set.

White has peppered a few clues throughout recent interviews, including one hint he gave to Deadline, saying: “For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the crashing waves of rocks vernacular, but there’s always more room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.”

Meanwhile in HBO’s official The White Lotus podcast, White hinted that the theme of season four may be fame or celebrity, and even suggested incorporating a film festival into the plot. This would check out with Laura Dern’s character’s potential return, as she is the ex-wife of Dominic, a prominent Hollywood film producer.

So, Laura Dern in Cannes? I’m sold.