10 Best TV Shows Like ‘The White Lotus’

In the world of The White Lotus, the ultrarich check in, but they don’t always check out. At least not unscathed. A sensation on HBO, the series has captivated audiences since its debut in 2021, and it is easy to see why. Created by Mike White, the series transports viewers to tropical Hawaii (followed by Sicily and now Thailand), where a group of privileged guests arrive at a resort for a week of relaxation. But they bring their own set of baggage and neurosis and disdain for the staff. Over the course of each season, we witness the characters – from business moguls to entitled socialites – as they confront some dark and twisted truths.

The White Lotus also stands out by being star-studded, featuring Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton, Sydney Sweeney and Murray Bartlett in the first season, and Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Leo Woodall, and Haley Lu Richardson in the second season. The inaugural season was a breakout hit, and it won a slew of Emmy Awards.

Audiences were so drawn to the deliciously biting humor and its ability to make even the most annoying characters either universally relatable or downright detestable that they couldn’t wait to come back for more. Now, with a third season currently underway, it’s fair to want to dive into other addictive shows that scratch the same itch as The White Lotus.

10

‘Dead to Me’ (2019 – 2022)

Dead to Me

Release Date

2019 – 2021

Showrunner

Liz Feldman

Directors

Liz Feldman

A darkly humorous exploration of friendship and grief, Dead to Me centers around Jen, a recently widowed real estate agent, who crosses paths with the quirky and free-spirited Judy at a grief support group. They bond over shared experiences of loss and forge an unlikely friendship that is tested when the truth about Judy’s involvement in Jen’s husband’s death surfaces.

A Twisted Tale of Unlikely Friends

Much like The White Lotus, this series delves into the messy, uncomfortable, and often hilarious realities of human relationships. But unlike the former, it reveals the big secret early in the series, which does little to spoil the intrigue. Led by Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, the series boasts a gripping storyline and themes of redemption and guilt along with an honest portrayal of complex female friendships.

9

‘Industry’ (2020 – Present)

Set against the backdrop of the cutthroat world of international finance, Industry follows a group of young and ambitious graduates as they enter the real market and compete with one another for a permanent position at Pierpoint & Co., a prestigious investment bank in London. As they steer through the ruthless corporate culture and pressure-filled environment, they end up confronting their own personal demons.

Ambition and Success Amidst Power Plays

Industry is all about exploring the lives of the privileged elite, which isn’t narratively far from The White Lotus, except this one takes a more decidedly firm approach and features high-stakes twists and turns. The show’s thrilling examination of how toxic corporate culture can get, the pressures to conform, and the personal sacrifices required to get to the top, all come down to themes of power and greed. It also subverts expectations by being extremely addictive to watch.

8

‘Yellowjackets’ (2021 – Present)

Yellowjackets

Release Date

November 14, 2021

Network

Showtime, Paramount+ with Showtime

Showrunner

Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Jonathan Lisco

Yellowjackets begins in the 1990s by introducing us to a high school girls’ soccer team traveling to Seattle for a tournament when their plane crashes in the remote Canadian wilderness, and they’re forced to fight for survival despite their differences. The show then fast forwards to present day, when the survivors are adults living ordinary lives while still grappling with the trauma and loss they tolerated.

Survival Horror Like No Other

On the surface, Yellowjackets is nothing like The White Lotus. It combines mystery and drama with a touch of macabre and has a dual timeline that follows the teens’ harrowing ordeal in the middle of nowhere and the adults’ current struggles to reconcile with their past. The narrative is rich, layered, and intriguing. But what makes it scratch the same itch as The White Lotus? Well, it’s the way the series explores the complex human nature and the lengths they will go to in order to survive that leads to a similar social commentary.

Related

15 Banned Episodes of Comedy Shows to Watch at Your Own Peril

These Banned comedy episodes pushed the envelope on sensitive topics, reflecting cultural shifts in media.

7

‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021 – Present)

In Only Murders in the Building, we follow three strangers – Charles, a semi-retired actor; Oliver, a struggling Broadway director; and Mabel, a mysterious young artist – who also happen to be neighbors with a shared obsession with true-crime podcasts. When a death occurs in their upscale New York City apartment, they grow suspicious and decide to use their amateur sleuthing skills to unravel the mystery, all while recording their own podcast.

A Whodunit Laced With Charm

Only Murders in the Building is one of the most beloved and successful murder mysteries on television right now and for good reason. It deftly balances comedy with the central mystery and with each episode, it reveals new secrets and suspects. The show stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who share incredible chemistry with one another. Like the HBO series, this one thrives on its ability to peel back the layers of its characters, revealing their flaws and hidden depths.

6

‘Barry’ (2018 – 2023)

Barry

Release Date

2018 – 2022

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Alec Berg

Created by and starring ex-SNL star Bill Hader, Barry centers around Barry Berkman, a disillusioned hitman who is on an assignment in Los Angeles when he stumbles into an acting class and is immediately drawn to the world of theater. Despite his dark past and his ongoing criminal activities, he begins to dream of a new life as an actor. The show then sees him juggle his two worlds and prevent them from colliding.

Thought-Provoking and Addictive

Across four seasons, Barry delves into the many challenges Hader’s character faces when trying to keep both his lives apart, which results in both dramatic and comedic outcomes. The show examines his inner turmoil and Hader’s performance is phenomenal because he effortlessly navigates the tonal shifts from deadpan comedy to gut-wrenching tragedy. Like The White Lotus, the series, along with its sharp writing and captivating direction, nails its dark sense of humor.

5

‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ (2021)

Adapted from the 2018 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers transports viewers to a secluded wellness retreat in the Australian wilderness, where a diverse group of stressed-out city-dwellers gather and seek to transform their lives through a 10-day program run by Masha. But as they undergo various therapies, their calm and collected facades begin to crack and what’s left are their dark, insecure, and mysterious selves.

Drama and Suspense in an Idyllic Setting

Nine Perfect Strangers only spans one season, so it doesn’t take long to reveal the fact that there is a different truth to the retreat and to Masha’s intentions. The dysfunction and dark humor emerge from privileged individuals being thrust into an unfamiliar setting and having to follow unconventional, and even dangerous, methods. In the same vein as The White Lotus, the series directs the spotlight on the cast, which includes Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, and Michael Shannon, and the central mystery.

4

‘Big Little Lies’ (2017 – 2026)

The HBO series, also based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, ran for two successful seasons. Set in the seemingly quiet coastal town of Monterey, California, Big Little Lies begins with a murder that shatters the tranquility of sparks tension among a group of women. The story revolves around three mothers – Madeline, Celeste, and Jane – who not only deal with their personal struggles but also get involved in each others’ lies and betrayals.

An Impressive, Twist-Filled Thriller

Very much like The White Lotus in its setting yet entirely nuanced in skewering heavy topics around wealth, status, exploitation, and the duality of human nature, Big Little Lies has a suspenseful narrative that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. It features powerhouse performances from Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley, who each bring their dramatic and humorous chops to an already great story.

3

‘Veep’ (2012 – 2019)

Veep

5
/5

Release Date

2012 – 2018

Network

HBO Max

When it comes to satirical comedy, perhaps no other show does it better than Veep. Following the personal and professional life of Selina Meyer, a former senator who is thrust into the role of Vice President of the United States, the series offers an intimate and unflinching look at the state and absurdities of American politics. Selina and her hapless staff deal with a never-ending series of scandals, chaos, and power struggles across seven seasons.

Entertains and Serves Political Commentary

Veep’s brilliant script and sharp wit make it a standout show. Its relentless commitment to exposing the hypocrisies of its characters and the system is laced with irreverence and humor. The show stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the lead role, and she has won six consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance. But beyond the surface-level hilarity, Veep also offers commentary on how the political elite prioritize their own interests over those of the people they serve.

Related

The 10 Best Political TV Shows of All Time

These 10 riveting dramas, hilarious comedies, and compelling political histories will get you your fill of political intrigue.

2

‘Succession’ (2018 – 2023)

Succession

Release Date

2018 – 2023

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Jesse Armstrong

Another award-winning HBO series, Succession chronicles the power struggles within the Roy family, owners of a global entertainment conglomerate. When the patriarch, Logan Roy, decides to retire and looks for a successor, his children vie for control. Each of them brings their ambitions, flaws, insecurities, and rivalries into the mix and the result is a power struggle that sees no right and wrong.

Indulgent and Incisive

Like The White Lotus, Succession revels in intricately exploring the lives of the wealthy and powerful, as well as using a keen eye for social satire to expose the moral failings of its characters. The show’s impeccable writing, led by Jesse Armstrong, effortlessly balances moments of tension, gripping character development, and razor-sharp humor. The dynamic between the Roy siblings is a highlight because it echoes the same interpersonal relationships that make The White Lotus so fun to watch.

1

‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015 – 2020)

Schitt’s Creek centers around the ultra-wealthy Rose family, who lose their fortune and are forced to relocate to the small and quirky town of Schitt’s Creek, which they once bought as a joke. As the family, consisting of Johnny, Moira, and their adult children, David and Alexis, adjusts to their new home and humble surroundings, they get into a series of misadventures.

An Uplifting and Heartwarming Antidote

This one is perhaps one of the most light-hearted titles on the list. Using a fish-out-of-water premise to kick things off, Schitt’s Creek portrays a family’s journey from being used to the superficiality of wealth to understanding the importance of community, family, and human connection. It doesn’t dive into the darker aspects of the privileged but plays around themes of self-discovery, which makes it similar to The White Lotus, but just not as chaotic.

You can view the original article HERE.