After the first two seasons of The White Lotus have been able to achieve internationally almost immediate cult status in recent years, Mike White’s hit series has been back with its Season 3, 2025 since February 17, 2025. New in the cast is Babylon Berlin and The Zone of Interest Star Christian FriedeL, who takes on the role of the employee Fabian in the title -giving hotel on Thailand.
We met the actor for an interview in Berlin and spoke to him about The White Lotus and the shoot in Thailand. In addition, Christian Friedel tells us what we can expect from the final 5th season of the German series Hit Babylon Berlin.
Moviepilot: How did the White Lotus and you come together?
Christian Friedel: I made an e-casting classically. Of course, I have to say that the attention that was around The Zone of Interest last year has certainly also led me to be given the opportunity to be able to be there for larger international projects at castings.
I didn’t know the series before. I knew it existed, but I didn’t see her and only then looked at her. And I was immediately fire and flame and thought: “Why did that pass me?” Then I did the e-casting and was really happy that it worked. Even if I knew it was not a leading role, but also a nice, fine supporting role.
In any case, you are still in every episode.
Exactly, especially in the fifth episode there are some cool scenes and then there is a little surprise at the end [lacht].
I am very excited to see where it is still going. How long have you been to Thailand?
Overall, I believe almost four to five months with interruptions. I had played theater in between. We started in February and I think I had my last day of shooting in June.
And then did you have been to Germany from time to time?
Exactly, and not only there, in between I was also allowed to the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles [für The Zone of Interest]. We also had a guest performance with my band in Romania. There were always phases at White Lotus where I wasn’t. The production would have me too [für den Gesamtzeitraum] Booked through, but that was a little too much of a good thing for me. In the beginning it was great, this mix of vacation and work. But at some point you would rather work than just sit in the hotel or by the pool. That sounds a bit strange, others, I think, would be happy about it. I was also very happy, but at some point it was a little too much for me.
Totally understandable. Have you ever been to Thailand?
Interestingly, I was in such a similar department. It was my first and the only department of resort so far, where I really thought I needed vacation now, and it was, interestingly, Thailand. So a lot reminded me of it when I came back for the shoot.
Were there someone from the cast during the time that you particularly liked to work with? Your figure interacts in the series with a wide variety of guests.
I found everyone very, very exciting. Of course I spent a lot of time with Khrū Lek, who plays Sritala. So is the short name of her. I have learned that Khrū is called a teacher or teacher.
But I actually got on very, very well with everyone. With Carrie [Coon]Michelle [Monaghan] and leslie [Bibb] I also spent a lot of time. I am a big Carrie Coon fan I have to confess because I find her a fantastic actress and was therefore a bit nervous to get to know her personally. At the beginning we stood together in the sea and talked about God and the world while the waves were getting higher. Carrie was pretty fearless and I got a shit.
Also with Jason [Isaacs] I got on very well. After the filming, he even visited me in Düsseldorf and looked at Hamlet at the theater. And Khrū Lek came to Dresden and looked at Macbeth. That was incredibly happy and it is also a sign that time was intense and that you like to stay in contact and are really interested in each other.
That sounds like a very nice time.
That was a really great time. And if the result is also great, you are all the more happy. So you could have said that we had a nice time, well, it wasn’t quite as successful. But I really have to say about what I have seen in the first six episodes: I am thrilled.
Jennifer Coolidge particularly connected the first two seasons. Are you a little sad that you couldn’t get to know her in season third?
Absolutely, everyone also asked me: “Will she come back, at least as a spirit?” I think everyone is one of the top figures that are connected to The White Lotus.
At first you don’t learn much about your figure Fabian and your background. Without anticipating too much, which may still be revealed: Can you tell us where the season leads him?
It’s a small color in the big painting what Mike [White] there. [Fabian] Was in the beginning when I was [Dreh]Books have read, even more a edge figure, a bit like the staff in the previous seasons. The role of the hotel manager transferred to him is a very present role, which is why the storyline around his boss Srala also gets a little more space.
I was interested in the tension around him that has comedic potential. And that you realize: he tries to find his inner center that is noticeable to him.
Could you imagine returning to a fourth season if it should fit in terms of content?
In any case. Who knows whether [Mike White] with Fabian there is still something. Mike wrote me a very nice letter when I arrived and also wrote a very nice letter to me when I was done. I think he is a very loyal soul. But he would never get back on hell, unless it makes sense. Belinda’s return doesn’t just have anything to do with karma.
So if it makes sense for him in terms of content, I am guaranteed not to say no. [Mike] Is such a great person, all the crew at all. This is really a very fantastic family that has grown together, also from the previous seasons. But who knows, maybe Fabian doesn’t survive in the end either [lacht].
Where we are with large series families – you are probably turning the 5th season of Babylon Berlin. How far are you currently?
We are very far, but it takes a little while for the shoot to be finished. I think, even into autumn, can be done with small interruptions. It’s so great, I had never experienced that to play a role over so long and to come back from time to time. I think the three [Regisseuren und Autoren Tom Tykwer, Henk Handloegten und Achim von Borries] It has been extremely well managed to bring this to a great conclusion. You also gave my figure a really great narrative level. That is a lot, a lot of fun and I will surely be very sad when my last day of shooting has come.
After such a long time, an emotional mood is probably already an emotional mood at the set, right?
In any case. The series has taken many freedom compared to Volker Kutscher’s novels and built its own world. I think it all agree that you should stop when it is best. And when you end it, it is perfect for everyone. But something will be missing. So far you have always known that a new season will be shot again in two years and then you come back. But who knows, maybe there will be a reunion at some point. Never say.
Maybe you can teas the last season with three words?
The times are getting darker. It is shortly before the Nazis seizure and there – the times become darker. Maybe that’s three words. No, that’s four [lacht].
That’s ok too [lacht].
There is a large shadow over the figures, but how should that be avoided. And there are terrifying parallels to the present day. For example, there is the struggle of the parties to prevent and consider the Nazis to find compromises. And as we know from history, they have not succeeded. And you can only hope that it will succeed in today’s times.
In any case. Is there already follow -up projects for you after Babylon Berlin?
There is a nice new film in summer, which I am making and then there are two other projects in the pipeline, which I can develop from the start. That is a whole new situation for me. So there are enough on the horizon. Fortunately. And then let’s see what else arises.