Natasha Rothwell on Belinda’s Bold Return in The White Lotus Season 3
One of the most poignant comebacks in HBO’s The White Lotus this season was Natasha Rothwell’s return as Belinda Lindsey. First introduced in Season 1 as the spa manager entangled in the whims of the wealthy Tanya (played by Jennifer Coolidge), Belinda’s quiet strength and emotional depth left a lasting impression and Season 3 brings her back as a woman on the cusp of reclaiming her life.
“Season 3 is really a reclamation of power,” Rothwell said in our interview with her. No longer tethered to her job or defined by service, Belinda steps into a space of autonomy for the first time. Now that her son Zion is off at business school, she’s learning what it means to prioritize her own needs. Whether it’s dining solo, pursuing her education at The White Lotus, or exploring romance, Rothwell captures Belinda’s evolution with nuance: “This is unknown territory of autonomy.”
In particular, Belinda’s fling with local massage therapist Pornchai offers a refreshingly clumsy and tender moment of discovery. Rothwell leaned into the awkwardness, even improvising a monologue about consent that made it into the final cut. “It’s a little messy and a little timid,” she said, “but it was so fun to be in that space.”
This season gave Rothwell ample room to explore Belinda’s interior life. Nowhere is that more evident than in her scenes with Greg (Jon Gries), Tanya’s ex-husband. When Belinda starts piecing together Greg’s potential role in Tanya’s fate, their conversations become a masterclass in subtext.
“It’s the most subtextual work I’ve done,” Rothwell revealed. “You say hello and there’s a whole monologue happening under both of us.” One particularly tense negotiation scene with Greg had Rothwell deliberately shift her body language—open and strong for her son, while masking the fear underneath.
Perhaps the most touching relationship of the season is between Belinda and her son Zion. Rothwell described their dynamic as “her heart outside of her body,” explaining how Belinda, a young single mom, raised not just a son but a friend. Their bond becomes central to the story's emotional arc. Rothwell’s pride in watching Zion navigate a high-stakes negotiation is palpable, but also a mix of emotions. “It’s bittersweet,” she noted. “She’s trying to receive that care while still being a mom.”
When Greg offers Belinda hush money to stay quiet, it’s not just about the dollars, it’s about dignity, survival, and self-worth. Rothwell fought to give Belinda agency in this arc, pushing for her character to be more than a passive recipient. “I wanted her to be culpable,” she said. “I wanted her to get her hands dirty.” That culminates in a moment of fierce maternal strategy, as Belinda takes control of the negotiation, reminding her son and the audience that she’s capable of navigating even the murkiest moral waters.
The season ends with Belinda sailing off with Zion, financial freedom finally within reach, but at a cost. “It’s an overwhelming sense of awe at opportunity,” Rothwell said of that final scene. “She’s turned the page, and it’s a blank one she can finally write on.” Her performance is a delicate dance of joy, loss, and resolve, a fitting tribute to a character who now stands fully in her power.
Watch the full conversation below:
Q&A on The White Lotus with Natasha Rothwell. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.
