Sam Nivola Opens Up About ‘Shocking’ The White Lotus Season 3 Incest Scene with Patrick Schwarzenegger: ‘Totally Didn’t Feel…’

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In simple terms, Sam Nivola, starring as Lochlan Ratliff in The White Lotus Season 3, was equally surprised as viewers due to the unexpected twist in the last episode. The plot unveiled that Lochlan and his elder brother Saxon, portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger, had crossed a boundary with more than just a kiss at the Full Moon Party.

Sam Nivola admitted that he hadn’t anticipated the development in the interview with W, but upon further thought, he feels it aligns with the broader themes of the series. He explained that it serves as a powerful symbol to illustrate the problematic nature of these characters’ relationship and the need for change.

In a straightforward manner, Nivola – the offspring of Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola – approached Lochlan’s character with a distinct viewpoint. He admitted to having a personal motto for his roles and characterized Lochlan as “struggling with self-doubt” and “stuck in that transitional phase between youth and maturity.

In my pursuit to embody the character authentically, I delved deeply into the rich culture of the South, engaging in conversations with a distinguished family from Chapel Hill. I shared that in affluent Southern families, it’s common for parents to be preoccupied, with fathers engrossed in their work and mothers leaning on medication, while nannies take on the primary role of child-rearing. This dynamic, I noted, can sometimes lead to a less intimate bond among family members compared to a typical household.

In the course of their shared work, Nivola developed a powerful connection with his on-screen siblings, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sarah Catherine Hook. He expressed that Patrick took on the role of a genuine elder brother for him, and he considered both actors among his closest companions.

Speaking about their relationship with their younger sibling Lochlan, he pointed out that although Saxon and Piper may seem like guides for him, their actions stemmed more from their personal competitive spirit. He suggested that instead of genuinely attempting to assist Lochlan, they were mainly preoccupied with validating their own perspectives on life.

In contrast to the usual pattern seen on The White Lotus where characters undergo transformations during their visits, Nivola believes that Lochlan was not among those who changed. During a captivating chat with creator Mike White, he learned that some individuals never alter and persistently cling to their old habits.

Regardless of what Lochlan went through, Nivola believes the character didn’t demonstrate substantial development. He pointed out that being the youngest cast member, one could anticipate Lochlan gaining insights about himself, but he felt this self-discovery didn’t occur in reality.

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2025-03-24 14:09