Long before he put together the BEST ensemble casts for The White Lotus, Mike White was lending his brain to projects such as School Of Rock, Dawson’s Creek, and Freaks and Geek. In 2018, he appeared in the 37th season of American Survivor, Survivor: David vs. Goliath and ultimately placed second.

As one of three players eligible for the title of "sole survivor," White earned three votes, including one from fan-favorite Christian Hubicki, one of the targets of White's blindsides. In casting his vote for White to win the season, Hubicki praised White's "transformative game," saying, "I hope this changes how the game is played."

"Eight to a dozen affluent Americans", many of them hiding dark secrets, arrive at a glamorous location for a luxury holiday. A dead body then ruins everyone's fun, but hugely increases the audience's. "Yes, my friends," said Lucy Mangan in The Guardian: "we can only be back at the White Lotus ."