Get to know Sarah Catherine Hook–Piper Ratliff from The White Lotus.
Like any The White Lotus fan, my curiosity deepens with each episode. Created by Mike White, the hit HBO anthology series takes viewers on a trip fuelled with mysteries, drama, and malicious urges.
With the first season taking place in Hawaii and then in Sicily, this time, season three takes viewers across the globe to the land of smiles–Thailand. With a whole new cast to fall in love with, this season gathers the biggest names in showbiz for an anticipating season. You’ve got Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaac, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola, Aimee Lou Wood, Walton Goggins and so much more.
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If you’ve been religiously following season three of The White Lotus so far, you’ll notice the “unique” dynamic behind the Ratliff family. To sum it all up, Jason Isaac and Parker Posey are parents to Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola’s characters–Saxon, Piper and Lochlan.
Sarah Catherine Hook is a rising star. You may recognise her from the Prime Video series Cruel Intentions or even Netflix’s First Kill. Securing The White Lotus on her repertoire was like a dream come true. As a fan of the show herself, she has expressed how surreal the experience was for her. And luckily for us, we had the opportunity to have a quick chat with Sarah Catherine Hook as she described her character, dynamic with the cast, and first reactions when reading the script.
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What was your first reaction when you read the script for season three?
Sarah Catherine Hook: We’ve been talking about how watching the show is so different from how audiences will be watching it because they’ll be trying to piece the clues together the whole time. But that was our experience reading the script, too. So, thinking back to when I first read the script, I was coming up with my own predictions. And then being completely blown away by it all. And it’s just funny, having been fans of the show before, having just had a different experience of being exposed to the story. It’s crazy but exciting.
How was it working with Mike White? Did he guide you on how you can shape your character?
SCH: He gave us such good guidance on our characters, as a good director always does. I think I had different expectations from Mike. The White Lotus is a big show, and I went into it with high pressure all the time, but he just wanted to have fun. That was his number one priority for everyone, so that’s just another reason why he’s so special.
Can you describe your character to us?
SCH:: Piper is an insecure college girl who’s figuring out who she is. You’ve got a little taste of it after watching the first episode, and you can see that the Ratliff family is not a normal bunch. So her dynamic with her younger brother Lachlan is centred on fighting their way through the chaos.
The White Lotus explores the meaning behind family and relationship dynamics. Can you describe the dynamic between your characters and your brothers?
SCH: There’s this tug-of-war between Saxon and Piper fighting over Lochlan and wanting his attention, love, and validation for our beliefs or what we think is the way of life. And I do believe Piper really sees Lochlan as a little security blanket. He’s so gentle and pure, and she sees a lot of potential in him. And I believe she thinks she can get him on her side.
Without sharing any spoilers, do you have a favourite scene to shoot?
SCH: I had a couple of favourite scenes. Nivola and I had this great scene in episode two, which was one of the first scenes that we shot, and it was a really well-written scene, too. Every scene is, but I think part of why it was special is due to the fact that it was filmed in these water hammocks, and we love that scene.
Have you discovered any new experiences in Thailand?
SCH: Seeing Moo Deng with Sam! He freaked out, and I felt like I went along with him just to see Sam react to Moo Deng. I mean, I love Moo Deng, but Sam’s love for her is unmatched.
Can you share with us how your first day of filming went?
SCH: It was the three of us –Saxon, Piper and Lochlan– and it was like the first set-up of their dynamic of fighting over Lochlan’s soul, which was the perfect way to kick off our part in the series. It was fun. We were all really nervous, but we got through it.
Lastly, can you sum up the season in one word?
SCH: Epic.
All images credited to Max and HBO
