The White Lotus Stars Aimee Lou Wood and Sam Nivola Share Season 2 Cast Advice

Stepping onto the set of The White Lotus is a unique experience for any actor, but for the stars of season 3, having seasoned veterans to lean on made all the difference. Aimee Lou Wood and Sam Nivola, portraying Chelsea and Lochlan in the latest season, shared with PEOPLE the invaluable support they received from season 2 cast members both before and during their time in Thailand.

Wood, 30, expressed her gratitude for meeting Leo Woodall, who played Jack in season 2, before landing her role. She shared, "Thank God I'd met Leo at a party before I got the role, and then we just got on, and so it was great actually. Because he checked in once a month to see how I was doing." Woodall, 28, provided crucial guidance to Wood, helping her navigate the journey with encouraging words like, "Okay, you're at this stage of the journey now. Just keep your head."

On the other hand, Nivola found support in an unexpected source, Meghann Fahy, Woodall's girlfriend. Nivola, 21, who worked with Fahy on "The Perfect Couple," sought advice from her, to which Fahy responded, "You don't need advice, you're just going to have a great time." She emphasized trusting creator Mike White, assuring Nivola that giving himself completely to White's vision would put him in good hands.

Nivola also sought guidance from Adam DiMarco, who shared similarities with Nivola's character from the previous season. Despite initially seeking concrete advice, Nivola found solace in DiMarco's and others' reassurance to simply relax and not overthink, a sentiment that ultimately proved to be spot-on.

Additionally, the cast of season 3 had the privilege of having Natasha Rothwell, a season 1 veteran, on-site for assistance. Wood highlighted the value of Rothwell's presence, stating, "We had Natasha who had done season 1, so she'd been there, done that. So that was very helpful." Rothwell, 44, reprised her role as Belinda for season 3 and admitted to feeling nervous despite her experience, especially when acting alongside esteemed co-stars like Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, and Michelle Monaghan.

Rothwell shared her experience of battling imposter syndrome while working with actors she admired, revealing how Carrie Coon's down-to-earth demeanor helped ground her. Coon acknowledged Rothwell's status as a seasoned cast member, referring to her as the "OG" of the series, which provided Rothwell with a sense of reassurance.

Rothwell emphasized the familial bond that forms among the cast during filming, describing the closeness they developed while shooting in Thailand. She praised creator Mike White for his exceptional casting choices, noting his ability to foster genuine connections among the actors, a hallmark of The White Lotus series.

Season 3 of The White Lotus is set to premiere on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Don't miss the latest installment of this captivating series that continues to captivate audiences with its stellar cast and compelling storytelling.