For weeks, industry buzz suggested that Deepika Padukone had secured a role in season four of The White Lotus. However, a report now suggests that the actor will not be part of the Emmy-winning series.
According to Variety India, Deepika was approached for the show and discussions were held. However, the process reportedly hit a roadblock over the show’s mandatory audition policy.
The report says, “Auditions are a mandatory part of the casting process for The White Lotus. The makers were very keen on auditioning actors before signing them on. Deepika was not keen on auditioning, and that was the reason why the White Lotus opportunity had to be passed.”
This isn’t the first time the show has reached out to her. She was reportedly approached earlier for season three as well but had declined the offer then due to her pregnancy.
A global outing that didn’t materialise
Had the deal gone through, it would have marked Deepika’s return to international projects after her Hollywood debut in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The film featured an ensemble cast including Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev and Toni Collette, among others.
There has been no official confirmation from Deepika’s team regarding these reports.
The White Lotus and its global acclaim
The White Lotus, created, written and directed by Mike White, premiered on July 11, 2021. The black comedy-drama anthology quickly became a critical and commercial success.
The first season was set in Hawaii, followed by Sicily in season two and Thailand in season three. While the second season aired from October to December 2022, the third season ran between February and April 2025. The upcoming fourth season is reportedly set to be filmed and based in France.
Ongoing chatter around her project choices
The development comes amid conversations about Deepika’s recent career decisions. Reports have suggested that certain professional conditions — including limited working hours and a substantial fee hike — may have affected negotiations for other major films.
Industry buzz claimed that these factors led to her stepping away from Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, where she was expected to star opposite Prabhas. There has also been speculation about her involvement in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD.
