Jason Isaacs Reveals "Very Low" Salary for White Lotus Cast Members
In a recent interview with Vulture, actor Jason Isaacs confirmed that the cast members of the hit HBO drama White Lotus were paid a "very low" salary for their roles in the show. According to Isaacs, each cast member, including himself, received $40,000 per episode, which works out to approximately $320,000 for the eight-episode season.
The Independent has learned that Isaacs, 62, who played the role of Timothy, the manic Ratliff patriarch, in Mike White’s Emmy-winning anthology, made the revelation in an interview with Vulture. When asked about the salary, Isaacs admitted that it was "absolutely true" and that the cast members had been paid a "very low price" compared to other big-time TV salaries.
Isaacs insisted that the entire cast "would have paid to be in it" and that they "probably would have given a body part" to be a part of the show. The actor, who is best known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, also revealed that he had no complicated feelings about making the same amount as his younger co-stars, including Patrick Schwarzenegger, who played his onscreen son Saxon.
According to The Independent’s source, Isaacs said: "I never work for money. I mean, 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."
The subject of White Lotus cast salaries became a major headline in April, when producer David Bernard revealed that each actor is "paid the same" and that it’s "not negotiable." Bernard told The Hollywood Reporter that the system was developed in the first season because there was no money to make the show. Casting director Meredith Tucker added that it makes it "so much easier" when everyone is paid the same, and that some actors won’t do it if they can’t make a living from it.
As reported by The Independent, the cast of White Lotus Season 3 included an ensemble of talented actors, including Isaacs, Parker Posey, Walton Goggins, Natasha Rothwell, LISA, Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Aimee Lou Wood, Jon Gries, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook, Christian Friedel, Tayme Thapthimthong, Patravadi Mejudhon, and Charlotte Le Bon.
The show is expected to receive several Emmy nominations next month for the September ceremony. According to The Independent’s source, the cast’s decision to take a lower salary was likely due to their passion for the project and their desire to be a part of it.
As quoted in The Independent, Isaacs said: "Generally actors don’t talk about pay in public because it’s ridiculously disproportionate to what we do — putting on makeup and funny voices — and just upsets the public." However, he felt that in this case, it was necessary to reveal the truth about the cast’s salaries.
The Independent understands that the cast’s salaries for White Lotus were a topic of discussion among fans and industry professionals, with many praising their decision to take a lower salary for the sake of the show. As reported by The Independent, the show’s creator, Mike White, has said that he was impressed by the cast’s willingness to take a lower salary and that it was a testament to their dedication to the project.
In conclusion, Jason Isaacs’ revelation about the White Lotus cast salaries has shed light on the inner workings of the entertainment industry and the sacrifices that actors make for the sake of their craft. As The Independent has learned, the cast’s decision to take a lower salary was a testament to their passion for the project and their desire to be a part of it.
