‘The White Lotus’ Creator Says He Didn’t Want to Wade Into Themes of Colonialism for Season 2: ‘I Was Going to Get Sniper Fire’

thewrap.com:

Vulture in a recent interview. “I’ve written a whole body of work. I stand by that season of ‘The White Lotus,’ but it’s not the full reflection of my interests.”White reveals that Season 2 is partly inspired by a 12th century legend in which a young Italian woman is seduced by a Moorish man, but grows so jealous when she discovers he’s already married that she beheads him.

The legend’s intersection of envy, love, lust and violence proved to be fertile creative ground, particularly following some of the stinging reactions to Season 1. “I didn’t know that I had the gumption to wade into those waters again, knowing I was going to get sniper fire from every direction,” he said. “Maybe the classic sexual politics, the naughty subversive stuff we’re getting into, will take the edge off a little bit from that.”On paper, “The White Lotus” — initially viewed by HBO as a one-season romp — may not appear to be a natural multi-season series with its slow-burn pacing and occasionally esoteric delivery.

But the series quickly began dominating Twitter’s cultural conversation as it rolled out last summer, leading to a Season 2 renewal and a new level of attention on the show. “I feel like I’ve cracked the code and I really don’t want to f— it up,” White said.

White, who does not use a writers’ room and is in complete control of nearly every facet of the show, now has grand ambitions for the second season.