The White Lotus is saying goodbye to one of its own, Miloš Biković (South Wind, Ice). According to The Hollywood Reporter, and initially reported by Deadline, HBO said they “decided to part ways” with the actors and plans to recast Biković’s character for the series’ upcoming season three, which will commence filming this month in Thailand. The culprit for his leave was due to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs viewing the casting of Biković as disapproving; the Serbian-born actor is believed to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post from Jan. 24, the ministry stated, “HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?” The post’s video shows a compilation of Biković and his views on the annexation of Crimea and Ukraine. Biković has worked in Russia for over the past decade, obtained an award from Vladimir Putin in 2018, and even became a Russian citizen in 2021.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Biković also released a statement about his leave that reads: “I was honored to be chosen to be a part of White Lotus, a TV series that I hold in high regard and with colleagues whom I deeply respect. However, my participation is not possible due to reasons beyond the realm of art and I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity. I would like to thank everyone who stood by me. I wish my colleagues great success in creating the next season.”
Biković starred in The White Lotus alongside other stars that have or will make an appearance in the hit HBO show including Patrick Schwarzenegger (The Staircase, Gen V), Leslie Bibb (Jupiter’s Legacy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby), Jason Isaacs (The State Within, The Patriot), Michelle Monaghan (Mission: Impossible – Fallout, The Path), Dom Hetrakul (Duangjai Taewaprom, Blackbeard), Parker Posey (Dazed and Confused, Beau Is Afraid), season one star Natasha Rothwell (Wonka, Wish), Tayme Thapthimthong (Hooked, Farang), Christian Friedel (The Zone of Interest, 13 Minutes), Lek Patravadi (The White Lotus), Shalini Peiris (The Ark, The Good Karma Hospital), Morgana O’Reilly (Housebound, Inside), Carrie Coon (Gone Girl, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Aimee Lou Wood (Living, Sex Education), Sam Nivola (White Noise, Maestro), Sarah Catherine Hook (Impeachment: American Crime Story, First Kill) and Walton Goggins (The Shield, Justified).
Mike White (School of Rock, The Good Girl), who is the creator, director and writer of The White Lotus, executive produces the series alongside Mark Kamine (American Hustle, 42) and David Bernad (Uncharted, The Mule).