“The White Lotus” is back, and so is Belinda, the resort masseuse played by Natasha Rothwell.
Season 3 of the Emmy-winning HBO series will look sparkling new in a lot of ways — from its new set of characters to its Thailand location. But not everyone will be unfamiliar, particularly if you’ve watched Season 1.
One of the first season’s most sympathetic characters, Belinda’s storyline wrapped in a bittersweet way. Not only is she returning — she’s also a guest at the resort, rather than an employee, this season.
Below, we’ll go over who Belinda is and what we should know about her before Season 3 premieres.
What happened to Belinda in Season 1?
Belinda Lindsey manages the resort spa at the White Lotus resort in Maui, Hawaii, and so has a hospitality spirit that keeps her privileged, often spoiled guests happy.
Belinda and Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge) initially seemed to connect in Season 1 of “The White Lotus,” as Belinda bonded with the guest, showcasing her empathy and spirituality.
Afterward, she and Tanya have a few conversations about opening a wellness business together (funded largely by Tanya). Alas, Tanya’s attention soon turns to her new boyfriend, local sport fisherman Greg. She blows off a dinner with Belinda — and chooses to invest herself, and her money, in his plans.
Shattered when Tanya abandons their shared dream, Belinda is buoyed slightly when the guest hands her an envelope stuffed with cash. It’s not what she hoped for, but it’s still better than nothing.
What’s Belinda’s storyline in Season 3?
To be determined. According to what Rothwell told Entertainment Weekly, Tanya is still an employee of The White Lotus but is “in Thailand doing sort of an exchange program to learn more about the wellness programs that the Thailand White Lotus offers.”
In that capacity, Tanya is both employee and guest, but she’ll get to take classes while she’s there and enjoy the hotel’s amenities.
As a “downstairs” employee hanging out with the “upstairs” folks, she’ll likely empathize with the hotel workers, while also using her skills and charm to make friends with some of the guests.
Expect class struggle between the haves and have-nots as she wanders the resort alongside a clutch of longtime friends vacationing together, a curious couple and two parents traveling with their three grown kids. It’s a combination that echoes Season 1 of the series.
New resort, new season — but is this the same Belinda in Season 3? We’ll have to wait to find out.Fabio Lovino / HBO
The trailer does reveal that a robbery takes place and Belinda is shown urging someone to call the police. When someone quips, “Go big or go home” in the trailer, she responds knowingly, “… in a g—damn body bag.”
But as for her dreams — we think Belinda still has that wellness center dream. All she really needs from this vacation may be an angel investor!
But we won’t really know where she’s going until after the show premieres.
What has Natasha Rothwell said about returning?
Belinda is still recovering from Tanya’s (well-paid) ghosting, Rothwell told Entertainment Weekly. “She was so devastated by Tanya taking what little hope she had and shattering it,” says Rothwell.
“Over the course of the Italy (second) season of ‘White Lotus’ in the world that we’ve created, she’s been trying to dig herself out of that sadness and really be inspired again. Her purpose for coming to Thailand is to have a dream again.”
