Prior to Walton Goggins' casting, Rick’s original envisioned actor inThe White Lotusseason 3 would’ve led to a surprisingTrue Detectivereunion. The HBO series created by Mike White took audiences to the titular resort chain’s Thailand branch when the series returned in 2025. AmongThe White Lotusseason 3’s castwas Goggins' Rick Hatchett.
Initially,Rick was a reluctant, mysterious, and closed-off guest at season 3’s location, joining his girlfriend Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). However, it is soon revealed thatRick is hunting down the killer of his father, Jim Hollinger (Scott Glen). However, after a failed attempt on Hollinger’s life, Rick’s quest for revenge ends in tragedy.
Woody Harrelson Was Set To Play Walton Goggins' Rick Or Sam Rockwell’s Frank Before Turning Down The White Lotus Season 3
Harrelson Was A Contender For Several Characters
While Goggins' portrayal isone ofThe White Lotusseason 3’s most celebrated elements, the character was almost played by a very different star. Initially, Woody Harrelson was slated to play Rick Hatchett during the early development of the season.Harrelson was also considered to play Rick’s acquaintance, Frank, who would eventually be played by Sam Rockwell.
However, a real-world vacation with his family meant that Harrelson was unable to join the production ofThe White Lotusseason 3 (viaVariety). Harrelson opened up in a statement that he chose to uphold his vacation when production changes occurred. Despite stepping away from the series, the actor celebrated the series, highlighting Rockwell’s performance as Frank.
Woody Harrelson’s White Lotus Season 3 Role Would Have Created A Reunion With True Detective’s Michelle Monaghan
The Pair Played A Troubled Couple In The Show’s Debut Season
Had the original casting gone ahead,The White Lotus' season 3 ensemble cast would have featured a surprise reunion for another HBO hit. The third season also featured Michelle Monaghan, who portrayed TV actress Jaclyn Lemon.Harrelson and Monaghan previously starred alongside one another in HBO’sTrue Detective’s first season in 2014.
InTrue Detectiveseason 1, Harrelson portrayed Louisiana State Police detective Martin “Marty” Hart. After supposedly apprehending the killer behind the murder of Dora Lange in 1995, a recent killing in 2012 calls their closed case into question. Monaghan portrayed Maggie Hart, the wife of Martin.
Across the first season, Marty’s infidelity challenges both his relationship with his wife and his working relationship with his detective partner, Rustin “Rust” Cohle (Matthew McConaughey). Eventually,things are brought to a head when Maggie learns of the affair, as their marriage begins to disintegrate over the following 17 years.
When the case reopens in 2012, Marty’s infidelities have pushed Maggie to divorce him, estranging him from her and their daughters. However, after bringing Dora Lange’s true killer to justice,True Detective’s ending offers a glimmer of hopewhen the family is reunited at his hospital bedside while he recovers.
The White Lotus Is Surpassing True Detective As HBO’s Best Anthology Show
The White Lotus Has Been A Consistent Hit For HBO
Although Harrelson and Monaghan may have been part of the show’s cast, the pair wouldn’t have featured in any scenes together. While Rick is embarking on his revenge quest, Jaclyn is dealing with her own tale of vacation affairs and tested friendships. Their only moment of crossover is Jaclyn learning of Rick’s fate at theend ofThe White Lotusseason 3.
True Detectivefaces viewers with humanity’s horrors, whileWhite Lotusexplores class and power.
For those who still hold fond memories ofTrue Detective, however, the pair’s shared history would have brought a smile to their faces. Interestingly,The White Lotusalso follows inTrue Detective’s formatexample by featuring a new cast and setting each season.
Both series seek to tackle deeper concepts within their stories, but through different lenses.True Detectivefaces viewers with humanity’s horrors, whileWhite Lotusexplores class and power. They’re easily two of the best anthology shows in recent memory, even ifThe White Lotushas arguably been more consistent.
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Furthermore, at the time of writing, at least,The White Lotusis proving to be a worthy successor toTrue Detective. Across its three seasons, White’s series has accumulated consistent acclaim from critics. Each season’s accumulated Rotten Tomatoes scores have performed above 80%, even as season 3 marked a surprising low by netting 86%.
In comparison,True Detectivehas had a much more tumultuous response from critics.Despite the first season giving the show an initial strong start at 92%, season 2 in 2015 was only awarded 47%. Critics cited that the series lost what made the first season so good, despite having equally impressive actors every season.
However, later seasons showed a clear turnaround, as the Mahershala Ali-led season 3 netted a score of 84% in 2019. The series would go from strength to strength, as 2024’s fourth season,Night Country, deliveredTrue Detectivewith a new franchise high of 93%. As such, there is still potential to be explored in future seasons.
BothThe White LotusandTrue Detectiveare successful examples of howthe anthology season formatcan exist in an age still focused on franchise-building and connected universes. While certain storylines and concepts may not resonate with audiences, each season has the opportunity to experiment and move along.
