What to Watch: The White Lotus, American Murder: Gabby Petito, Australian Survivor and Gogglebox

The White Lotus

Monday, streaming on Binge

Can Mike White pull off a hat trick? That’s what everyone is wondering ahead of the release of the third season of his award-winning series, The White Lotus. Both previous seasons were breakaway hits — can he do it again with his latest offering?

If the first two episodes are anything to go by, then that’s a resounding yes.

This time around we’re off to The White Lotus resort in Thailand. Like previous seasons, there’s a new cast of characters, including the hotel’s staff and its pampered VIP guests. Like previous years, they arrive by boat, and aboard are a rich family from the American Midwest (a couple and their three adult children — Parker Posey stars as their eccentric matriarch, giving Jennifer Coolidge a run for her money in the instantly iconic character stakes). There’s a cranky American man (Walton Goggins) and his up-for-anything, much younger girlfriend (played by Aimee Lou Wood, who is incredible in everything), and three middle-aged blonde women on a girls trip. All these characters are immediately memorable, and though it’s early days, I can already tell I’m going to be fully invested in what happens to them over this season.

True to form, the first episode kicks off with the discovery of a body, then we’re flashing back a week. How we get to that end point is anyone’s guess, but I am DYING to find out.

This season looks and feels very different — for a start, they’ve “Thai-ified” the opening sequence music — but at its heart, White’s show remains every bit as keenly observed, beautifully written and pitch-perfectly performed as previous incarnations.

If you think I’m telling you anything more, you are greatly mistaken. Strap in — it’s going to be a wild ride.

American Murder: Gabby Petito

Monday, streaming on Netflix

To the world, they were the loved-up young couple documenting their adventures travelling across America for social media. Behind the scenes, it was a different story. In August 2021, 22-year-old Gabby Petito was killed by her fiance, Brian Laundrie. This details the story of what transpired, through the eyes of those close to Petito. A tough watch, but one that will appeal to true-crime enthusiasts.

Australian Survivor: Brains V Brawn II

Monday, 7.30pm, Ten

This year we’re being blessed with not one but two seasons of Survivor, this one (a return to the Brains V Brawn concept) and another Australia V The World season. If the latter is anywhere as fun as this is shaping up to be, then we’re in for a treat. The first episode is a wild ride and we’re off to a cracking start with one of the contestants finding an idol in the first five minutes of the game. This looks like it’s going to be a great season.

The Role Of A Lifetime

Tuesday, 8.30pm, ABC

Parenting expert Maggie Dent has a huge following thanks to her years in the spotlight, her numerous books and fabulous podcast. This is her first foray into television and she’s great, providing sound advice for parents of school-aged kids. This is an interesting concept, fusing advice and tips with a sitcom premise. Complicated to explain, but well worth a look. I got a lot out of this — parents will, too.

Gogglebox

Thursday, 7.30pm, Ten and Binge

Aussie Gogglebox has been going so long now that the participants are starting to feel like part of the family. I wonder how many people come up to them at the shops mistaking them for people they know? It’s a testament to how great this show is that 21 seasons on, I still think of it as destination television. Which is weird, because mostly I’ve already seen what they’re chatting about. Adore this series.