Cannes Caméra d'Or Winner Anthony Chen Begins Production on ‘We Are All Strangers,' Completing His ‘Growing Up' Trilogy (EXCLUSIVE)

Exactly 12 years after winning the Caméra d'Or at Cannes with his debut feature 'Ilo Ilo,' Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen has begun production on 'We Are All Strangers,' the third and final film in his acclaimed 'Growing Up' trilogy.
The project reunites Chen with actors Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, who starred in both previous installments of the trilogy, 2013's 'Ilo Ilo' and 2019's 'Wet Season.' Set in contemporary Singapore and spanning two and a half years, the film is Chen's most ambitious work yet – an epic story capturing intimate moments of love, life, and coming of age in the city-state.
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'I filmed Jia Ler at 11 and then again at 17, so it felt like a natural step to capture him approaching adulthood,' Chen said of his continuing collaboration with the young actor.
The director explained his thematic focus: 'I have always been fascinated by the bonds and intimate connections struck between strangers and how kinship can develop beyond blood ties. The idea of constructed families is a theme I have explored in both of my films. In 'Ilo Ilo,' it was between the Filipino maid and the young Singaporean boy she cares for, while in 'Wet Season,' a teacher and her student form a family unit with her half-paralysed father-in-law. This time, strangers are forced to become family.'
Yeo, who won Golden Horse Awards for her performances in both previous films (best supporting actress for 'Ilo Ilo' and best actress for 'Wet Season'), recently appeared in the Netflix action film 'Havoc' alongside Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker. Koh has earned two Golden Horse nominations for his work in Chen's earlier films.
'We Are All Strangers' is produced by Chen and Teoh Yi Peng through their Singapore-based production company Giraffe Pictures, with backing from the Singapore Film Commission and the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund. Principal photography is currently underway in Singapore and scheduled to complete by the end of May.
Chen has built a varied résumé since his breakthrough. Following 'Ilo Ilo' and 'Wet Season' (both of which represented Singapore as official submissions for the Academy Awards), he made his English-language debut with 'Drift,' starring Cynthia Erivo, which premiered at Sundance in 2023. That same year, his first Chinese-language feature 'The Breaking Ice' premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes and became Singapore's Oscar submission.
As a producer through his Giraffe Pictures banner, Chen has nurtured other Asian filmmakers' work, including Kirsten Tan's Sundance winner 'Pop Aye' (2017), He Shuming's 'Ajoomma' (2022), Sorayos Prapapan's 'Arnold Is a Model Student' (2022), Neo Sora's 'Happyend' (2024), and Tumpal Tampubolon's 'Crocodile Tears' (2024).
Giraffe Pictures, co-founded by Chen and producer Huang Wenhong, positions itself as 'a home for emerging filmmakers in Asia' with the goal of becoming 'an international label for the best of Asian cinema, focusing on cinematic creativity and vision, telling unique Asian stories that will resonate with a global audience.'
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10 best cruises from Singapore for a fun-filled vacation at sea

If you're looking for a way to go out to sea, a cruise is a convenient way to visit multiple destinations with onboard accommodation, dining and entertainment. Cruises are floating resorts that sail to different ports of call, so passengers can have a range of diverse experiences. Check out our list of the 10 best cruises in Singapore to hold a major celebration at sea. The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, scheduled to start sailing from Singapore in Dec 2025. Disney Adventure is the first Disney ship to be based in Asia and will offer 3- and 4-night voyages, focusing on magical days at sea. The ship is designed with Disney, Pixar and Marvel theming, promising unique experiences for guests. The cruise ship will feature 7 zones: Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, Town Square and Wayfinder Bay. The San Fransokyo Street, inspired by the world of Big Hero 6, features a bustling city atmosphere with interactive games, a street market and a family arcade. The Marvel Landing area will have attractions and experiences inspired by The Marvel Super Heroes. Concierge Bedroom Oceanview Suite from S$19,538 (Departing Jan 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 6228 3728 (Phone) Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm (Call Centre) Sat & Sun: 9am – 8pm (Call Centre) | | A 3-night cruise to Penang is available with Royal Caribbean on the Ovation of the Seas. The cruise departs from Singapore, spends a day in Penang and then returns to Singapore. This cruise includes a stop where passengers can explore the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site of George Town, visit temples such as the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple and see the beach at Batu Ferringhi. Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas offers a variety of activities, including the North Star observation capsule, iFly skydiving, bumper cars and numerous pools. This cruise includes complimentary food at various restaurants and access to entertainment and performances. Interior Room at S$359 Per Person (Departing Jan 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | The 8-night Bali Adventure Holiday Cruise on the Ovations of the Seas ship departs from Singapore with stops in Celukan Bawang (Bali), Benoa (Bali) and Lombok (Indonesia), before returning to town. The cruise has a varied mix of cultural experiences and activities. Ports of call include Celukan Bawang, a port town in northern Bali, known for its traditional industries and access to less-visited areas such as Lovina Beach and Banjar hot springs, Benoa, Bali's main port, offering access to beaches, the cities of Denpasar and Ubud and Lombok, Indonesia, an island reputed for its volcanoes, beaches and cultural attractions. The cruise features activities such as North Star (observation capsule), Bionic Bar (robot-crafted cocktails) and Live. Love. Legs. (aerial adventure). A range of dining options are available, including Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and a 5-course Chef's Table experience. Interior Room at S$1,659 Per Person (Departing Dec 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | A 12-night cruise exploring Vietnam and Thailand from either Singapore or Hong Kong, aboard the Celebrity Solstice, offers a mix of cultural experiences and relaxation. The cruise typically includes stops in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and scenic locations, with chances to explore the markets and temples and enjoy the beaches. Celebrity Solstice is one of their most decorated ships, with elegant designs everywhere you turn. Their passion for outstanding cuisine takes the onboard dining experience to a new level and the staterooms are sure to bring the comfort of your home, out to the ocean. The airy Main Restaurant, the Grand Epernay Restaurant, offers exquisite menu selections. These change nightly to give guests a wide variety of choices. And the service? Legendary. Veranda Stateroom at US$3,299 (S$4,241) Per Person (Departing Nov 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 1 888 751 7804 Daily: 24 hours | | The 14 Nights Best of Japan and Taiwan cruise with Celebrity Cruises offers a journey through diverse cultures, stunning landscapes as well as modern metropolises. Passengers will explore Japan and its cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, and Taiwan, with potential stops in Hualien and Taipei. The Celebrity Millennium, known for its modern luxury and innovative spaces such as the Lawn and AquaSpa, is the ship for this itinerary. Visit iconic cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, experience ancient culture and enjoy modern amenities. Discover the unique blend of cultures in Taiwan, including Hualien, known for Taroko Gorge and Taipei with its vibrant night markets and natural mountain landscapes. Inside Stateroom at US$2,045 (S$2,629) Per Person (Departing Oct 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 1-888-751-7804 Daily: 24 hours | | Sail with Royal Albatross on an epicurean odyssey with a trinity of top Singapore chefs The Genting Dream cruise ship, now operated by StarDream Cruises, provides onboard experiences, such as dining, entertainment and activities, with a focus on Asian hospitality. The Genting Dream offers cruises from Singapore, such as getaways and other itineraries with stops in Malaysia and Thailand, at cities or towns that include Penang and Port Klang. It features world-class theatre shows, parties, performances and classes, as well as an array of dining options, from international cuisine to speciality restaurants. The ship also boasts spa services, fitness centres and family-friendly amenities, such as children's clubs. Interior Stateroom (Value Fare, 2 Nights Weekend Getaway Cruise) (Departing 18 Jul) at S$918 at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 800 8528 188 Daily: 24 hours | | A 7-night Italy & Croatia cruise with Royal Caribbean is a cruise voyage that takes passengers on a week-long journey via Italy and Croatia, departing from Rome or Venice. These cruises include visits to various Italian and Croatian ports, including Naples/Capri, Sicily, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split, with options to also explore Venice, Koper and other destinations. The cruises offer a mix of sightseeing, relaxation and onboard entertainment. Royal Caribbean offers a variety of dining options, including the Main Dining Room with rotating menus, speciality restaurants such as Izumi for sushi, Giovanni's Table for Italian cuisine and Chops Grille for steak. Guests can enjoy live shows, music and themed parties. Interior Stateroom from S$1,620 (Departing Sep 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | The 19-Day Cruise Australia & Asia: Melbourne and Bali is a cruise experience aboard the Norwegian Spirit. It is a journey from here to Sydney, with stops in Melbourne and Bali. The cruise includes ports of call in Australia and Indonesia. You will get the opportunity to explore cities including Surabaya, Perth, Busselton, Albany, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. It also features onboard entertainment and activities, including access to the Stardust Theatre. It is designed with a freestyle concept, offering flexibility in dining and activities. These activities include multiple dining options (Asian, Italian, French, steakhouses), entertainment, a casino, bars and lounges, a spa and kids' activities onboard the ship. Inside Stateroom from S$1,889 Per Person (Departing Dec 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 31 651 680 Daily: 24 hours | | A 10-night 'Fly Cruise' to China, Japan and South Korea is a vacation package that combines air travel, a cruise and hotel stays to explore multiple cities and cultures in East Asia. It typically entails flying into a city in one of the countries. Thereafter, you will embark on a cruise that stops at ports in the other 2 countries and then fly out from a different city. The cruise will typically visit multiple ports. This will give you the chance to explore cities in countries such as China (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin), Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Shimizu (Mt Fuji), Nagasaki, Kobe) and South Korea (Jeju Island, Busan, Incheon). A fly-cruise package simplifies travel planning by bundling flights, accommodation and transportation between destinations. In some cases, this can be more cost-effective than booking flights and accommodation separately, especially when considering convenience. Flight + Cruise + Transfer + Hotel from S$3,999 (Departing Oct 2025) at 601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Complex, #06-10, Singapore 368242 +65 6222 9222 / +65 8125 9162 Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed on Sun | | A 10-night Mediterranean cruise on the Celebrity Ascent involves sailing to various iconic European venues. These include Greece, Italy and Croatia, with a focus on experiencing the culture, history and natural beauty of the region. The Celebrity Ascent is an Edge-class ship that is designed to provide an 'outward-facing' experience, connecting guests with the sea. This 10-night cruise includes stops in Italy (e.g., Rome, Sicily, Naples), Greece (e.g., Olympia, Corfu) and Croatia (e.g., Dubrovnik, Split). Guests can expect a rich blend of cultural exploration, sightseeing and opportunities to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities. Celebrity Cruises is known for its sophisticated, upscale experience with a focus on design, service and innovative onboard areas. Celebrity Ascent boasts features such as The Grand Plaza, Rooftop Garden, an adults-only Solarium pool and dining and entertainment venues. Inside Stateroom from S$4,299 (Departing Oct 2025) at 601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Complex, #06-10, Singapore 368242 +65 6222 9222 / +65 8125 9162 Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed on Sun | | 11 yacht rental services in Singapore for an unforgettable outing The post 10 best cruises from Singapore for a fun-filled vacation at sea appeared first on

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‘The White Lotus' DP Breaks Down His Favorite Shot of Season 3

Director of photography Ben Kutchins chose to highlight this moment from episode three of The White Lotus' third season — in which Walton Goggins' Rick and Aimee Lou Wood's Chelsea visit a Thai snake show — for its rather frightening nature: the use of real serpents. As opposed to most of the scenes shot over the course of the Max drama's six-month production schedule, this was one of the 'rare sequences that we actually storyboarded,' says Kutchins. 'We were very specific about the placement of different snakes and where certain things were going to happen.' Despite the meticulous planning, Goggins, who's no fan of the reptile species, did get bitten. 'It was harmless; it was a nonvenomous snake,' says the DP. 'He was such a committed actor, but it was so scary. He was terrified, and you can see the fear in his eyes.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Where Has the Slow-Burn TV Hit Gone? How the 'Arcane' Team Championed Human Collaboration, Spontaneity and Imperfection in Its Final Season 'Hard Knocks' Narrator Liev Schreiber Shares His Favorite Season Shooting Goggins through two panes of glass across a snake tank necessitated careful lighting of the space, which the crew shot at a snake show in Koh Samui, Thailand. 'The location that we chose was quite dark and dingy, so I chose to bring some life and warm it up,' says Kutchins. 'There were all these existing plexiglass windows, and I covered them with different tones of yellow, orange and red gel. Then I put in a bunch of fluorescents to add a little bit of bluish-green shadows.' Later in the scene, Chelsea gets bitten by a venomous cobra, which also happened for real — sort of. Reveals Kutchins, 'That was actually a prosthetic leg, and a real snake biting it.' This story first appeared in a June stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise

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Sam Nivola Would Never Turn Down an Opportunity to Work With Mike White

Sam Nivola had the time of his life working with Mike White on The White Lotus. The third season of the lush drama was the largest project the 21-year old actor has ever worked on, and it's an experience he won't ever forget, partly thanks to the incredible list of talent and creatives he had the opportunity to work alongside. Before traveling to Thailand to portray youngest Ratliff sibling Lochlan, Nivola landed parts in the Bradley Cooper-starring Maestro and Netflix's The Perfect Couple, which carries a similar murderous vibe, though White Lotus was his first standout role as an actor. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Awards Chatter' Live Pod: Sam Rockwell on That 'White Lotus' Monologue, 'Three Billboards' Award Season and Upcoming Martin McDonagh Reunion 'Wild Horse Nine' 'The White Lotus' DP Breaks Down His Favorite Shot of Season 3 'Dark Winds' Star Zahn McClarnon: "I've Learned More in the Last Four Seasons Than in 30 Years" There's no denying that Nivola's career has swelled since The White Lotus, and he thanks White (who he says he would 'jump off the Empire State Building for') and his co-stars (all 'legends') for the lessons he was able to learn so early on in his career. As Emmys voting kicked off last Friday, Nivola jumped on the phone with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss the advice a White Lotus season two alum gave him before heading to Thailand, why working with White was (and always will be) the best and if he ever thought about dropping out of the show after reading the scandalous scripts. *** Looking back, what did you think that your experience and its impact would be, and how did that compare to the reality of what came from the show? Well, they were very different. It's funny, Jason Isaacs, who obviously played my father, is such a contrarian. He loves to say the opposite of whatever everyone's thinking, so he was very much a proponent of always setting your expectations below. The first two seasons were massive hits, but Jennifer Coolidge was a real reason behind that and she's not in this one, blah blah blah and all this stuff. I think probably people in the second season were feeling that too. It's a whole different cast every time and it's not as easy to count on it being a mega hit every time. But also, none of us really were thinking much about that. Not to put us all on a pedestal, but we were really just having tons of fun, trying to enjoy the experience and enjoy getting to work with such amazing writing and director in Mike [White]. The reaction of the show has been unfathomably large, and it has totally changed my life in a way that I don't think I could have ever expected. One thing that David Bernad said when did the cover story was that when the scripts were being sent to you and Patrick [Schwarzenegger], he and Mike were both panicked about you guys potentially dropping out. Were you aware of their anxiety around this issue, and do you think that was justified? No way. In what world would I ever drop out of The White Lotus! No fucking way, no! I mean, it's the juiciest story, and we're also actors. It's not like I actually had to fucking have sex with my brother. I think it was a great and an exciting opportunity to do something that sort of has never been done on TV, in the way that Mike did it. I was stoked when I read the script and I would never, even in a million years, imagine thinking of dropping out of something made by Mike and Dave. They're just the best. As we know, Mike doesn't supply a lot of backstory for his characters, and he's also not really precious about what his actors bring to their parts. So for you, what pieces of Lochlan and his backstory did you bring to the character? I'm 21, I'm still sort of figuring out my method. It was such a lucky experience getting to work with this ensemble because all of these seasoned actors have very different ways of going about performing, and everyone has a different method. So I was able to learn, take bits and pieces from everyone else's method. I don't generally do a lot of background work on my character. When I'm preparing for a role, I really just focus on the script, what's in the scene and what's happening to the character in the present moment, and how to best prepare myself to react naturally in that moment. So I didn't do a lot of world building around my character. But I did make some assumptions, like the fact that I assumed that we [Ratliff kids] had spent a lot of time with babysitters, that we were dealing with a lot of money, and that mom was probably always pulled out, and dad was probably always working. I assumed a certain disconnect between us and the parents, that we were not as close with them as the average group of kids is with their parents. I assumed certain things about how we were brought up, just based on the amount of money that we have, which obviously sets us apart from the average family. Your TV sister, Sarah Catherine [Hook], has talked about an important sex scene that was cut. Leslie Bibb is still sad about her dream sequence on the cutting room floor. What scene that you filmed do you miss the most from the scraps pile? I feel quite lucky in that I think lots of my biggest scenes were pretty important to the development of the story and the progression of the plot, so I didn't have that much cut. I don't think I had any big scenes [cut] in their entirety. They trimmed scenes that I was in where they would cut unnecessary lines from the middle of the scene, which is something I'm not that used to seeing, but it makes sense because we shot so much [and] they were so pressed for time that buying a few seconds here and there is totally worthwhile. The scene when me and Sarah Catherine are on the beach talking, I can't remember whether we're on our way to the temple or on our way back, there was a whole middle section that they cut out where she basically says, 'I don't think you should stay at the temple. I think we should not spend as much time together, because the whole vibe of our family is like our mom has taught us — that everyone is out to get us and we just have to be insular and rely on each other, and it's just super incestuous, you know what I mean?' And she uses that word [incestuous] as a sort of general meaning, like we spend too much time with each other, and I immediately assume that Patrick['s Saxon] told her about what happened on the boat, and I'm like, 'Oh, fuck, did he tell you?' And she's like, 'What? What do you mean?' I'm like, 'Oh, I don't know, what do you mean?' (Laughs) It's a total misunderstanding where I think she knows what happened, but that's the only one that I can think of that got cut. That's so interesting. Yeah, but I think it was smart to cut it because it sort of is too clarifying. It's not mysterious enough for the circumstance. You spent six-plus months with some amazing vets on set, be that Parker [Posey] or Walton [Goggins] or Jason, etc. What morals of wisdom and advice did you pick up from them while working on this show along the way? I learned very different things from all of those legends, some of which were in direct opposition with each other. Everyone has such different ways of doing it, and that's part of what's so amazing about acting to me. I'm a college dropout, [and] this methodology of acting is something that, of course, can be taught in drama schools, but a lot of the time it is not taught. A lot of the time actors are sort of putting together these pieces of how we like to do our job over the course of our careers, and they become very personalized and unique. Jason was very fly by the seat of [his] pants. He would do all the work on the character beforehand, like a month before we started shooting. He got his accent down, he came up with a good backstory and figured it all out, and then didn't look at the script until the morning we would shoot every scene. He would memorize his lines in the makeup chair so that he was prepared, but his performance was spontaneous; whereas Parker [Posey] was much more rehearsed. Every time I'd see her at the pool, she had her binder out and was going through every line and rehearsing different ways to say specific lines. Walton always told me to trust yourself and have faith in yourself and confidence; Patrick and Sarah Catherine taught me things. I think I was the youngest person on that set and it was a really amazing opportunity to learn from just about everyone there [who] has more experience than me in this industry. There's going to be a fourth season of . I'm curious what your advice would be for the next batch of actors, and is there anything that you now know that you wish you had known when you were starting out getting ready to shoot the show? I'd say get your mental health in order, because it is tough being that far away from home for that long. That has no bearing on the job itself, which is the most fun thing in the world. But inevitably, when you're away from home for that long, there are certain challenges. In terms of the actual work, I would say you need no advice. I met with Adam DiMarco, who played a very parallel role to mine in the second season, before I went away to shoot. I was like, 'Do you have any advice? Like, what's Mike like? What's his annoying thing and how do you work around it?' Because every director has one. And he was like, 'There is nothing, he's just great.' I was like, 'Okay, dude. There's no cameras rolling, no one's listening, tell me what's actually wrong with him because there's something wrong with everyone.' He was like, 'No, I swear to God, there's nothing wrong with him.' I thought he was just a kiss ass (Laughs), there's gotta be bullshit. And it turned out he was absolutely right, there is nothing wrong with Mike. He's the most generous, amazing leader of a crew, a set and a story, and whoever is lucky enough to get these parts in the next season, just soak it in and enjoy it. Because even at this young age, I can say I think it's unlikely that you'll ever find someone as amazing as him again. How are the incoming calls and scripts different on the other side of ? I sort of thought I would just be getting parts left and right, which I am in smaller indie movies — if they ever get funding, I'm really stoked about them — but it's actually made all my casting processes a bit harder, because now I'm sort of in a different bracket of projects that I'm going up for where they're all the highest profile, NDA things of the year. So now I'm in competition with all of the greatest and most successful, popular actors of my age group, and it's been intimidating and a sort of bigger thing than it used to be just sending out tapes for these really important directors and casting directors. But it's exciting. As an actor and someone who wants to be a director, the most important thing is to work with the best directors, and I've had some interesting opportunities to do that already in my career. And the fact that every job I do leads to more opportunities to do that is so lucky and awesome. You just said you want to pursue directing, your father [Alessandro Nivola] has been nominated for a Tony and your mom [Emily Mortimer] is also a great screenwriter, do you have any aspirations in either of those directions, or are you set on acting and then directing one day? I totally do. Since The White Lotus came out, I've not been acting a lot. As Jason Isaacs said, I'm no longer an actor, I'm a professional White Lotus promoter. I've been flying around the world so much with no Wifi and just my laptop, so [I've] been doing lots of writing. I have a production company with my friends called Cold Worm Productions and we have a pretty big slate right now. We just got a rough assembly cut back of a feature that we produced in Wales, like micro-budget indie features, but it's so fun, and I enjoy it so much. I think it's really important to do things with your friends and stay creative on a small scale level. Of course, I love acting in these big things, it's the best opportunity to work with the most talented people. But I also think it's easy for money to corrupt creativity, obviously, and it's 'Mo Money, Mo Problems' (laughs). So working on tiny budgets, producing these indie features where everyone's sleeping on the floor of an Airbnb and I'm the producer, but I'm also driving people around and picking up lunch for people, it's a really fulfilling, creative experience. Do you have any other projects to tease, or do you have a dream role that you'd like to take on at some point? I just shot an indie comedy directed by the great legend Bobby Farrelly, so keep an eye out for that. And I did a pilot a while back before The White Lotus came out that I think I'm going to hear in the next little while whether or not that gets picked up, in which case I would go see that soon. A dream role? I don't know. I think that it would be impossible for me to describe a dream role because the best roles are the ones that are original and haven't been written yet. At the time, Travis Bickle [in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver] was obviously a very new kind of character, and I'd love to play a new kind of character. The comedy that you mentioned is , and that filmed in North Carolina, correct?Yep! Was that your first time visiting the state, and do you think that your Ratliff family nailed the North Carolina accent after spending time shooting there? I kind of think we did! Everyone said that we kids don't have any accents, but we did work with a dialogue coach and changed very subtle vowels, because apparently, from the people I met when I was there, the younger generation are totally losing their accents because of the globalization of the internet and going to colleges where you travel around, you tend to soften your accent. But it was my first time, and I love North Carolina. It was so relaxing because I was there while the show was coming out, and whenever I would come to New York, like when I came to do the Hollywood Reporter shoot with you guys, I came for a weekend while I was in the middle of the shoot in North Carolina, and it was just mayhem. [I was] getting stopped everywhere I went, and it was impossible to go grab a beer without being swarmed, and in North Carolina, no one gave a shit, which was awesome. It was so funny, because the family is from North Carolina, I was expecting people to really give a shit (Laughs). Lochlan was choosing between Duke or Chapel Hill. Obviously, there's this looming financial stress on the Ratliffs, but if he ends up going to college, where do you think he ended up choosing to go? I think, if anything, he probably doesn't go to college. But I don't know, the theme with the family is very much, at least with Piper, trying to be something you're not, trying to break free from the mold of the family and being unsuccessful and unable to do so. So if that's the mold, then I think I probably go to Duke and fall after my father in a very sort of patriarchal sense. But I like to think that what he actually needs is to either not go to college or take a gap year and go traveling by himself, without his family, importantly (Laughs), and go sort of find himself. Both of your parents [Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola] are actors, so what is the greatest thing that you've learned from them, and is there anything that they taught you or advised you not to do in your career as an actor? Advice is a complicated thing as an actor because everyone has their own method and it's very specific. Whenever everyone is playing different characters from different time periods, it's very hard to give generalized advice about what it is to be an actor that is so situational and specific to exactly the character that you're playing. We don't talk, my parents and I, that much about the creative side of it, because I think it's important to find your own way. But they give me so much advice about the technical side of the business, like how to not get fucked on your contract, what to ask for and how to keep yourself happy and sane when you're on a big, long press tour that takes you around the world. And how to keep a level head, how to stay happy and feel in your body, and I've learned a lot from them — and about producing, because they also produce. You know, just the technicalities of having read a good log line, what to put in a pitch deck, formatting, all that shit has been incredibly helpful. Patrick also told that he's heard rumors of an all-star season, and . Have you heard those rumors, and would you be open to potentially returning for an all-star season? Of course I would. I would jump off the Empire State Building for Mike White (Laughs), I would do just about anything. I would adore to work with him again in whatever capacity. I mean, we would all, including Mike, joke about him doing an all-star season when we were in Thailand, but I could sort of never tell whether he was joking or he was serious, so, who knows? The thing is that the all-star season would have to, I imagine, be the last season. I can't tell when the last season's going to be right now, because the show is such a hit and Mike is so happy making it. I don't know when they would ever decide to stop, but we'll see, and if that phone rings with his name on it, I'm picking up 10 times out of 10. Looking back on your entire experience, what is the biggest thing you learned from playing Lochlan? I think the biggest thing that I learned was that you have to soak it in. That's sort of my only regret from the shoot is that, not just me, but I was talking to Parker and Sarah Catherine, and we were just saying we were all so nervous going into it, and we shouldn't have been, because Mike is so lovely and puts everyone at ease. But, it's a big show, it's a big deal, and for me, it's a big deal because I've never been in anything so big before with so many eyes on it. And even for someone like Parker Posey, who's a legend in our field, it's intense and it's nerve wracking to be a part of something that's already so beloved, and [to] be a new part of something that people are going to judge and have opinions on. I think at times, I was too nervous to really sit back and be like, you know what? I'm in fucking Thailand, at a five-star luxury resort with these people that are now my best friends in the world, and we're all doing this job that I've wanted to do since I was little, acting at the highest level with some of the most accomplished creatives in our field. That is something that I wish I had savored more. And I did, but there were a lot of things on our mind on any given day. *** The White Lotus season three is streaming on HBO Max. Head here for all of THR's season three interviews and coverage, including our uncensored oral history with White and the cast. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise