Jason Isaacs has spent months talking about The White Lotus. And yet, when he hops on our Zoom, Isaacs is warm, gracious, and eager to share insights into his character on season three of Mike White’s lauded HBO anthology series. Isaacs has become an awards regular since the launch of the show in February, earning an Emmy and, just recently, a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Timothy Ratliff.
Armed with his Duke sweatshirts and the confidence afforded a man awash in wealth and privilege, Ratliff and his family arrive at the famed White Lotus resort in Thailand. Then one call from his lawyer unravels it all, gone is their charmed life in Durham. Tim is a man trapped, spending the entirety of the season looking for a way to come clean to his family, and looking for a way out. This torment is where Isaacs shines, communicating an internal desperation that spirals as the tension rises.
Isaacs knows Timothy Ratliff very well, but his unforgettable experience on the star-studded White Lotus set is something he’s still eager to reflect on and piece together. Perhaps, the same can be said for his relationship with his career and his craft. The White Lotus is a fantastic showcase for Isaacs’ impeccable, and often underutilized, range. A talent that has made him one of our very best character actors.
The last time Isaacs was nominated for a Golden Globe, the 2008 Writer’s Strike prevented the ceremony from taking place. Let’s hope for better luck this time. And for more Jason Isaacs appreciation all around.
All three seasons of The White Lotus are streaming on HBO Max.
