The White Lotus star Michelle Monaghan has revealed how season 3 differs from the previous two instalments.

The hit HBO anthology show is due to finally return next weekend, moving events to Thailand as we meet a cast of (mostly) new characters.

Among them is Jaclyn (played by Monaghan), who – alongside Leslie Bibb's Kate and Carrie Coon's Laurie – is one of three long-term friends who take a girls' trip abroad.

michelle monaghan as jaclyn lemon, the white lotus season 3
HBO

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Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Monaghan explained how this season's theme of death and spirituality sets it apart from the first two seasons.

"I love that it is death and spirituality because I think it really represents what is different about this season as opposed to seasons 1 and 2," she said.

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Monaghan added that creator Mike White "brilliantly kind of intersects Western culture and Eastern culture and Eastern philosophy, spirituality and Buddhist religion" in the new episodes.

michelle monaghan as jaclyn lemon, the white lotus season 3
HBO

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"It's really confronting for our characters, it's very light and dark, it's taking the shiny and shallow of the Western culture and confronting it with the heaviness and lightness of Thailand," she added.

"These characters all go on a very windy journey."

Ahead of The White Lotus' new season premiere, a dramatic new trailer showcased the new characters, who all hide plenty of secrets.

Other stars joining the show include Harry Potter's Jason Isaacs, Lost in Space's Parker Posey, Fallout's Walton Goggins, Sex Education's Aimee Lou Wood and Blackpink's Lisa, while Natasha Rothwell returns as Belinda Lindsey from season 1.

The White Lotus season three is set to premiere on February 16 on HBO and Max in the US and February 17 on Sky and NOW in the UK. Seasons 1-2 are available to stream on Sky and NOW.

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