How Laurie Became an Unexpected Fan Favorite on ‘The White Lotus’

This article contains spoilers for The White Lotus.

Depending on who you speak to, The White Lotus Season 3 has either been a boring dud or a masterful lesson in suspense and character building. Whatever side you fall on (I’m personally leaning towards the latter), it’s hard to deny that the series has been a little slower this time around. More than that, it’s taken a while for viewers to settle on who they’re gunning for. Gaitok is cute, but he really shouldn’t be a security guard. Chelsea is fun, but all she talks about is Rick and astrology. And you know I’d bat for Belinda, but she does spend a lot of time shaking her head while looking perturbed.

Now, though, with the end in sight, an unexpected fan favorite appears has emerged out of left field. Yes, it is one of the blonde triangle—and yes, it is Laurie, played by Carrie Coon. This 40-something divorced lawyer—who can neck two shots, isn’t averse to swigging beer ringside at a Muay Thai fight, and knows a hot hook-up when she sees one, even if it does result in some light extortion and a barefoot walk of shame—actually isn’t as insufferable as her friends. She’s the character you’d most want to go to the club with. And you know what, it was shady for Jaclyn to hook up with Valentin.

Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO