SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for the Season 3 finale of “The White Lotus,” now streaming on Max. If you haven’t watched it yet and want to avoid spoilers, proceed with caution!

When Mike White beckoned Jon Gries to rejoin “The white Lotus” for its third season, set against the exotic backdrop of Thailand, Gries’ response was unequivocal: I’m available anytime, anywhere. You name it, I’m there. However, unlike his previous sojourns to Hawaii and Sicily, Gries’ involvement in Season 3 demanded an unprecedented level of secrecy, akin to a covert operation. To maintain the element of surprise,he arrived in Thailand cloaked in disguise – a hat,dark sunglasses,and a COVID mask – successfully evading detection untill he reached the set.

The lengths taken to conceal Greg’s return speak volumes about the character’s pivotal role and the high stakes involved in maintaining the season’s suspense. For American audiences, this level of secrecy is reminiscent of high-profile movie releases, where studios go to extreme measures to protect plot twists. The anticipation surrounding Greg’s reappearance was palpable, fueled by fan theories and speculation following the shocking events of Season 2.

Upon arriving in Thailand, Gries was eager to reconnect with his fellow cast members, a sentiment familiar to anyone who’s ever joined a new team or project. When I finally got to Thailand, the first thing I wanted to do was meet my castmates, Gries tells Variety. Everybody likes to feel each other out, as we’re all in this thing together.

However, the need for secrecy often kept him isolated. he’d get invited to hang out with the cast and crew before executive producer David Bernad would call: “I’m so sorry, Jon, but you can’t go.” The result? I ended up staying in my room a lot, Gries confessed. Initially, White even considered keeping Gries completely isolated from the rest of the cast, but the practicalities of wardrobe fittings and makeup sessions made that impractical. In the beginning, they were toying with the idea of keeping me an utter secret, like in solitary confinement, the actor revealed.

Ultimately, Gries was permitted to socialize with the ensemble cast, but the series’ commitment to secrecy paid off handsomely. The revelation of Greg’s true identity as “Gary” in the season opener sent shockwaves through the audience, who believed they had seen the last of Tanya McQuoid’s (Jennifer Coolidge) seemingly ill-fated husband.

The season culminates in a tense confrontation between Greg and Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), a fellow “White Lotus” alum. Belinda is aware that Greg played a role in Tanya’s demise, serving as a constant reminder that his idyllic existence in Thailand – marked by yacht cruises and luxurious villa living, all funded by his late ex-wife’s fortune – could be shattered at any moment.

In a pivotal scene, Greg attempts to buy Belinda’s silence, offering her $100,000 to pursue her dream of opening a spa, framing it as something Tanya would have wanted. Belinda, grappling with the ethical implications, consults her son, Zion (Nicholas Duvernay), before returning with a counteroffer: $5 million. Greg eventually concedes,leading to a mutual agreement to disappear from each other’s lives.

This plotline raises meaningful questions about justice, morality, and the price of silence – themes that resonate deeply within the American cultural landscape, particularly considering ongoing discussions surrounding wealth inequality and accountability.

In an exclusive interview, Gries delves into his involvement in “The White Lotus,” shedding light on whether Greg achieves a happy ending. He also explores the complexities of his character’s cuckold fantasy and speculates on what might have transpired had Belinda faced him alone at the negotiating table.