Equal Pay for All: Jason Isaacs Opens Up About "The White Lotus" Salaries
In a recent interview with Vulture, Jason Isaacs revealed that every cast member on "The White Lotus" Season 3 received equal pay, with a salary of $40,000 per episode, totalling around $320,000 each. According to Variety, Isaacs confirmed that this sum is "a very low price" for such a successful television series.
The pay equality among cast members was a notable aspect of the show, with acting veterans like Isaacs and Parker Posey earning the same as relative newcomers to the industry, such as Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola. When asked if he thought this was fair, Isaacs politely scoffed, stating, "Do I mind that I wasn’t paid more than other people? I never work for money," as reported by Variety. "I’ve done all right. People will think I have huge stockpiles of money but sadly, what I’ve done rather immaturely is expand my outgoings to match my incomings and pretty much spent everything I’ve earned over the years."
Isaacs’ comments on pay equality come as a refreshing change in the entertainment industry, where salaries can often be a closely guarded secret. The actor noted that generally, actors don’t discuss their pay in public, as it can be "ridiculously disproportionate to what we do — putting on makeup and funny voices — and just upsets the public." However, he emphasised that compared to what people normally get paid for big television shows, $40,000 per episode is a relatively low figure. Variety also reported that Isaacs added, "But the fact is, we would have paid to be in it. We probably would have given a body part."
In addition to discussing salaries, Isaacs also shared his experiences on the set of "The White Lotus," where he used the opportunity to impart wisdom on his younger co-stars. Specifically, he advised them not to "over-invest" in the final product, as it’s ultimately out of their control. This lesson was one that Isaacs learned the hard way after playing Captain Hook in the 2003 film "Peter Pan," which tanked at the box office. As Variety reported, Isaacs said, "It was a big expensive production with multiple studios. We filmed for 14 months. … The film tanked."
The film’s failure was a significant blow to Isaacs’ career, with the actor describing it as "a catastrophe professionally for me, a huge fall from grace. I couldn’t get a walk-on role. And I changed my agent and I almost changed my job, frankly, because I didn’t think I’d work again." However, Isaacs noted that he didn’t over-invest in the results of the film, which helped him cope with the disappointment. He has since tried to pass on this wisdom to his younger co-stars on "The White Lotus," advising them not to get too caught up in the outcome of the show.
"The White Lotus" Season 3 is currently streaming in its entirety on Max. For more insights from Isaacs, readers can head over to Vulture’s website to read the full interview, as reported by Variety. The article provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of television production and the experiences of one of its most seasoned actors. As Variety reported, Isaacs’ comments on pay equality and his experiences on set offer a unique perspective on the entertainment industry.
