Helena Bonham Carter’s White Lotus exit down to ‘creative differences’ with Mike White
Helena Bonham Carter’s exit from The White Lotus was down to “creative differences” with showrunner Mike White, it has been claimed.
Helena Bonham Carter’s exit from The White Lotus was down to “creative differences” with Mike White.
The 59-year-old actress had been due to star in the fourth season of the award-winning anthology series, alongside Steve Coogan, Alexander Ludwig and AJ Michalka, but it was revealed last month she had departed the programme because her character "did not align once on set" and it has now been claimed she left the project due to issues with the showrunner.
According to Variety, Helena had been asked by show boss Mike to deliver a “boisterous” performance as a washed out star planning a Hollywood comeback, leading to "creative differences".
An HBO spokesperson previously said in a statement announcing The Crown star's departure: "With filming just underway on Season 4 of The White Lotus, it had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set.
"The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will be recast in the coming weeks. HBO, the producers and Mike White are saddened that they won't get to work with her, but remain ardent fans and very much hope to work with the legendary actress on another project soon."
It was subsequently announced Laura Dern - with whom Mike has previously worked on TV series Enlightened and the movie Year of the Dog - had joined the cast.
Laura won’t be playing the same character as Helena, but will instead be taking on a role developed specifically for her - but fulfilling a similar position within the story.
The show follows guests and staff at fictional hotel chain called The White Lotus and every series has been set in a different country. The fourth series will take place at a luxury resort in the South of France during the Cannes Film Festival.
It will tell the story of two rival companies, both releasing films at the French Riviera festival in competition with each other.
Producer David Bernad previously said: “When we located the show at the Cannes Film Festival specifically, this idea of fame popped up.
“Who has the world’s attention, who are the people that can grab the world’s attention, who are the plus-one in a relationship, who’s the person that has that power — and how that shapes a dynamic.”
He added that the show will follow the characters as they work through “the ups and downs of the festival and the pain of being here and the love and excitement of being here”.
