Meet Shalini Peiris, The White Lotus Season 3’s Amrita

After a two-year wait, The White Lotus will finally return to our screens for season 3 tonight – that’s 9pm ET/6pm PT, or 2am in the UK for any night owls. We sat down with Sri Lankan star Shalini Peiris (who plays Amrita) to talk all about joining Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) in the spa this season.

Interview: Shalini Peiris On The White Lotus Season 3

Hi Shalini, how’s life going at the moment? 

Surreal! I had the loveliest time at home in Sri Lanka over Christmas with my family, and now I’m in the middle of press for The White Lotus and am about to fly to LA soon (my first time visiting!) for the premiere (my first also!).

You are about to star in the highly anticipated third season of The White Lotus. How would you describe the show to someone who has never seen it? 

I’d describe it as a dramedy with two floors where you explore the lives and longings of the uber pampered guests at this luxury resort and also of the staff who are on hand to cater to their every need. And then I’d say, watch it, watch it, watch it! 

How would you describe your character? 

Amrita is a member of the wellness team at the White Lotus Thailand – she’s a meditation teacher and spiritual counsellor. She’s very much a centering and grounding presence for much of the chaos that some of the guests bring!

How did it feel when you got the role? 

I had just landed in London and was still on the plane. I turned my phone on and saw a missed call from my manager Tom and called him back, guessing that he was about to tell me that it hadn’t gone my way. And then he told me that I’d actually landed the role and I remember keeping it together while disembarking, people all around me, made a beeline for the toilets and as soon as that door was locked, I did this squealing happy dance! I’ll never forget that feeling!

Were you a fan of The White Lotus before you auditioned? 

Yes! I’ve watched seasons 1 and 2 twice over as a super fan, and it was one of my ‘if only’ shows – where as an actor, you watch and think ‘if only I could be where they are…’ So to now be in it is the best possible kind of nuts!

It was all filmed in Thailand – what was that like? 

It was my second time visiting Thailand and I’ve always loved the country and the people. Also, the food is one of my absolute favourites! I’m so happy that this season really showcases not only the beauty of the country but also the incredible talent of its actors, crew and creatives.

Any standout moments from filming? 

There’s always those scenes that scare you, a ‘big scene’ in some way – and then when you’re there, on set, doing it, it’s terrifying but also thrilling because you have to let go and lean fully into the moment and the actor in front of you. 

It’s a stellar cast. What was the dynamic like on set?

It didn’t happen super often, but I always loved it when we had the bigger group scenes because we’d all be in the green room together and just chilling and chatting the time away in between takes! It really is such a cast of acting heavyweights and so for the first week, I was convinced my being there had to have been some kind of admin mix-up. But apparently not! But absolutely everyone, Mike White and the team included, could not have been more welcoming, warm, humble and just super cool human beings!

This White Lotus hotel is very wellness driven. Would you say you’re interested in that side of things? 

Yes definitely. I’m just not on the same budget!

Shalini Peiris as Amrita in The White Lotus season 3. (© HBO)

You’ve also starred in the likes of The Ark and Three Body Problem. What has been your favourite project to date? 

The Ark was definitely special, landing my first series regular role and then getting to film and live in Serbia (another country I love). I’m a theatre baby, the first 9 years of my career was on stage so some of my favourite parts and projects also come from there. Safe to say, The White Lotus, I’m gonna be talking about that one into my pensioner years and beyond!

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!) 

Not as yet, but I will keep you posted!

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past? 

Wow, there’s way too many fabulous actors to pick just one! 

Which co-star did you learn the most from? 

Walton Goggins. The combination of working with him and Mike White was a serious masterclass! Watching Walton at work and getting to share that space with him really impacted and inspired me. 

What’s your dream role?

I’d love to play such a diverse bank of characters that it keeps people guessing and not ever knowing what to expect from me as an actor.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of? 

Comedy for sure! I love comedy!

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with? 

The actor I most wanted to work with who I sadly won’t get the chance to is Robin Williams. The list is long! Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh, Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Wright, Naseeruddin Shah, Kristen Wiig, Steve Carell, Taika Waititi, Sean Baker, Aaron Sorkin, Jordan Peele. That’s just a few from the list!

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally? 

Other than season 3 of The White Lotus?! I’m excited to see what else this year has in store for me!

(Photographer, David Reiss; Styling, Koulla Sergi; HMU, Nohelia Reyes)

Shalini Peiris Recommends…

I’m currently watching… I really want to say something super artistic and intellectual, but I am obsessed with The Traitors at the moment!

What I’m reading… The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka and Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… I watched Sean Baker’s new film Anora a few days ago and I loved absolutely everything about it! 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… I’m really excited to see Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl and also the new season of Yellowjackets

Favourite film of all time… Way too many to narrow it down to one, but just a few would be The Birdcage, When Harry Met Sally, Bulworth, Monsoon Wedding, Tootsie, Once Were Warriors and Bowfinger

Favourite song of all time… I don’t know if I can choose just one song, but 90s hiphop and R&B would be my favourite genre!

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Kendrick Lamar, standard!

My ultimate cultural recommendation… It has to be from my homeland, Sri Lanka. Climbing Sigiriya – an ancient fortress kingdom built into a huge rock – is something I’ve done several times and I never get tired of doing it. It is so beautiful, and an awesome piece of history!

Cultural guilty pleasure… If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar levels in check, maybe look away now! But condensed milk in tea is as guilty a pleasure as it gets, and one that we are definitely guilty of in my family!

WATCH

Shalini Peiris stars in The White Lotus season 3, premiering tonight at 9pm ET/6pm PT on HBO Max, and available from 2am 17 February 2025 on Now in the UK. Episodes will air weekly on Sky Atlantic at 9pm.