- The White Lotus is currently airing its third season on HBO
- It has upset one university with its inclusion in a scandalous plot
- Warning season three spoilers are below…
The White Lotus has taken two steps too far according to a university attended by two of the characters in the show.
The HBO satire follows rich people on their holidays. Previous seasons have taken place in Hawaii and Sicily and explored themes such as sexuality, colonialism. It is beloved for radiatingwith creator Mike White’s signature sense of humour.
Warning: The White Lotus season 3 spoilers below…
However, the third season has charmed nearly everyone but not Duke University. The school is is the alma mater of two of the Ratliffs, father Timothy (Jason Isaacs) and their eldest son, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger). However, due to some very adult and taboo storylines, the school, which is based in the North Carolina city of Durham, isn’t too happy about it.
It first began with Timothy being driven to a suicidal fantasy amid facing fraud and embezzlement indictments and even dreaming of killing his wife Victoria (Parker Posey). They also have a daughter, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook).
Read more: The White Lotus season 3 star gives ominous clue about killer
Then, to top it off, another plot point potentially upsetting to them is Saxon kissing his brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola), engaging in sexual activities amid a threesome with Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon).
What did Duke say about The White Lotus season three?
“The White Lotus not only uses our brand without permission, but in our view uses it on imagery that is troubling, does not reflect our values or who we are, and simply goes too far,” Frank Tramble, the university’s vice-president for comms, marketing and public affairs, told Bloomberg. “Suicide is the second-leading cause of death on college campuses. As imagery from the show is being shared widely across social media, we are using our brand to promote mental health awareness and remind people that help is available.”
What else did Duke say?
Tramble added to The New York Times, “Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling but characters’ prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists.”
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death on college campuses. Rivalry is part of March Madness, but some imagery goes too far. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. 💙
— Duke University (@DukeU) March 25, 2025
The university’s social media account expressed their concern when someone pointed out how they would use the still of Timothy with a gun to his head, wearing a Duke jersey.
“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death on college campuses. Rivalry is part of March Madness, but some imagery goes too far. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988.
Read more: Sam Nivola: Who is The White Lotus actor?
Can Duke do anything about being included in The White Lotus like this?
According to a leading legal expert, Duke cannot do anything via the law with their disgust at The White Lotus.
Along with saying they couldn’t do anything via a potential court action, it was also suggested they just stop “drawing attention to it” through the press.
“On the one hand, I understand that Duke is trying to disassociate themselves from this,” NYU School of Law professor Jeanee Fromer told the New York Times. “On the other hand, they’re drawing attention to it.”
When approached for comment by both outlets, HBO did not give any comment about the school’s complaint.
Has their been similar complaints in TV?
The exercise bike company Peleton took exception when Mr Big died from a heart attack while riding their wares on the Sex And The City spin-off And Just Like That. They admitted to allowing the HBO show to use their product but did not know what it would be used for. A rep for them later claimed that the bike, which allows people to take spin classes remotely from home, would have let him longer.
im sorry but killing Mr big and tanking peleton? that was likely the last great television moment we may ever experience
— Alexander Scenarsgard (@Business_Trans) October 14, 2024
More recently, Pepperdine University took Netflix to court after they used their school colours and name without permission in the basketball team featured in their fictional show Running Point. Eventually, a judge ruled for the streaming service and Warner Bros.
