SPOILER ALERT:This post contains details from the Season 3 finale ofHBOsThe White Lotus.
PATRICK SCHWARZENEGGER:Theres two reasons.
Then number two is like, if my character doesnt know, then I dont need to know.
‘The White Lotus’HBO
Thats just my train of thought.
DEADLINE:What was most surprising to you about the finale, outside of what happens with the Ratliffs?
That speech at the end with Carrie was just so beautifully written and done.
The whole thing was kind of a shocking ending to me.
I mean, I literally cried.
The past year and a half has been allLotusand from filming and then doing press the last 10 weeks.
And then, I just felt like that death kind of solidified the death of this chapter for me.
So it just made me, I dont know, emotional, I guess.
How did you feel about his character arc?
Did it surprise you?
Right away, I was like, Oh my god, is this going to be a one-note character?
Then, of course, you cant ever judge Mike White on the first few episodes.
DEADLINE:Your facial expression in that moment is very subtle, but it says a lot.
What was important to you to convey about Saxon in that scene?
You want to play something so that there is this full-circle moment.
Mikes not a big rehearsal guy.
He doesnt really spend a lot of time on table reads or rehearsals or any of that stuff.
Just like, this really sweet moment.
Mike was like, Dude, dont do that.
Thats all I care about.
I just want that to be the moment.
It was just kind of this internalizing moment.
He wants to have the audience left with: Will Saxon change?
Then you have him with the book on the boat.
Thats his full, full-circle moment.
Although Chelseas gone, did Chelsea open up his eyes, and then did she have him potentially change?
Hes just kind of longing for, I think, a real relationship.
Then same with the girls.
I think hes finally having that moment where hes like, Maybe I want something thats real.
Whats his life like now?
SCHWARZENEGGER:Obviously I wish that there was more episodes that could be filmed.
How much of it do I know about what happens to Chelsea?
What do I know about the shooting?
[Mike] leaves it ambiguous with that, and also with my dad.
But I dont know where it would go.
Im assuming it would probably be an ugly scene back home.
Or is he taking that to the grave?
SCHWARZENEGGER:[Laughs].
I guess thats a question for Mike.
I have so many questions, so I dont even know.
What moment did you walk away from having a deeper understanding of this character?
SCHWARZENEGGER:Episode 5 and 6 with my brother was a catalyzing moment of what changes him.
It solidifies the swap of power.
DEADLINE:Saxon and his dad seem very similar in that regard.
They enter The White Lotus very self assured and they both unravel over the course of this season.
SCHWARZENEGGER:Im sure its shattering for him.
I think thats one of the themes that happens throughout the season.
Who really are you?
I mean, their status is taken away.
Their money is going to be taken away.
I think part of that is also his relationship with his dad.
DEADLINE:Do you think he feels vindicated at all about Pipers epiphany?
SCHWARZENEGGER:I think part of him is probably like, I told you so.
Saxon thinks he knows everything.
So I think that hes probably happy that his little sister is coming home and had this reckoning.
