One of the key cast members ofThe White Lotusseason 3 has revealed that there was initially a very different ending for her character in the finale episode. Natasha Rothwell, who reprised her role as Belinda fromThe White Lotusseason 1, set in Hawaii, struck the deal of a lifetime after encountering the deviousGreg, who goes by Gary inThe White Lotusseason 3, set in a tropical Thai setting. Since Belinda had a brief friendship withJennifer Coolidge’s iconic character Tanyain the first season of The White Lotus, she recognizes Greg in season 3 and looks into Tanya’s mysterious death.
Rothwell recently revealed in an episode ofVariety’sActors on Actorsinterview that the originalending ofThe White Lotusseason 3had Zion doing much more in his buyout negotiations with Greg. As a business major in college, Zion arrived at The White Lotus Thai resort to convince and assist his mom, Belinda, to accept Greg’s hush money, but not without increasing the price tag. Rothwell reveals that theoriginal version of events called for Zion to run the show in the deal with Greg. However, Rothwell pitched to series creator Mike White that Belinda should have more agency in the plan.
Rothwell:I think that Belinda saw an opportunity to get something she fundamentally believed she deserved. She’s a moral center for the show. I’m scared for her, because I do think karma is real and the money is blood money.
That storyline was my pitch.
Brown:Was it really?
Rothwell:It was my pitch. Listen, this is why I love Mike White. Originally it was Belinda’s son, Zion, running the show. I told Mike I really wanted to see Belinda have agency in this moment. Can she take over the negotiation in some way? What is an authentic way for her to show that she’s pushing her chips in along with her son? Being able to show that turn, she sees that she has power over a white man — the kind of man that she’s been rubbing the backs of for a long time.
What Natasha Rothwell’s Pitch Meant For Mike White & The White Lotus Season 3
Rothwell’s Efforts Made Belinda’s Win Over Greg Even More Powerful
Rothwell took agency for her previously unknown contributions in creating such a significant part of her character’s story inThe White Lotusseason 3. Even thoughMike White writes all of the originalWhite Lotusscripts himself, Rothwell’s comments prove that he is still open to collaboration with his key actors and further exploration of his characters through lenses outside his own. Rothwell’s pitch ultimately led to Belinda having more stakes in her final dealings with Greg, which could have gone sideways at any moment, given his shady background.
Belinda is able to work in tandem with Zion to achieve a much larger payout rather than relying on him to settle the score himself.
Shifting the power dynamic from Greg to Belindamakes her huge victory at the end ofThe White Lotusseason 3 even more impactful. While it would have logically made sense for Zion to step in and handle the negotiations for Belinda, given his business background, Belinda playing more of a part in the deal allows her to claim the power shift over Greg for herself.
Belinda is able to work in tandem with Zion to achieve a much larger payout rather than relying on him to settle the score himself. It erases the outdated concept that business dealings are reserved exclusively for men and alsogives Belinda an extra dose of sweet revenge, having bent over backwards for people like Gregthroughout her entire life.
Our Take On Belinda Taking Agency In Her Blood Money Deal With Greg
Belinda Can Now Achieve Her Career Goals With A Greater Sense Of Pride
Rothwell pushing for Belinda to have more agency in her negotiations with Gregmakes for such a better ending to her story inThe White Lotusseason 3. She was initially reluctant to take any payment from Greg until Zion convinced her not to see it as blood money, but as an opportunity to achieve her dream of owning a wellness spa.
Tanya had originally offered to help her make that dream happen before revoking the offer. Now that Belinda has the money and leaves Thailand with her son inThe White Lotusseason 3, she is able to not only pursue her lifelong ambition, but she can also proudly say that she played a major part in making that happen and making Greg pay simultaneously.
