Actor Patrick Schwarzenegger has made a surprising choice about the final episodes of The White Lotus Season 3: he’ll be watching them without his famous parents. Known for his role as Saxon Ratliff in the hit HBO series, Schwarzenegger recently admitted that the show’s provocative content makes a family viewing session a bit too awkward for his taste.
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on March 25, 2025, Schwarzenegger shared his plans to go solo for the last two episodes. “It was a little nerve-wracking watching the first episode with my whole family because I do take some clothes off,” he said. “But I think some upcoming episodes I’m going to watch without them.” When host Drew Barrymore asked about watching with his family, he laughed, “I’ll definitely take a bathroom break. The last episodes are crazy.”
His mother, Maria Shriver, joined in on the fun via a pre-recorded video during the episode, teasing him about which installment he was most nervous for her to see. Referencing his nude scene in the season premiere, she quipped, “You keep saying, ‘That’s not me, that’s a prosthetic.’” Meanwhile, his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, offered his take after attending the Season 3 premiere. In an Instagram post, he wrote, “I was so pumped to take a break from filming to celebrate [Patrick Schwarzenegger] at the White Lotus Season 3 premiere. What a show! I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Schwarzenegger’s hesitation isn’t unwarranted. In an interview with People, he hinted at the show’s escalating intensity, saying, “The last episodes are crazy,” and teasing boundary-pushing plot twists. Curiously, he’s avoided reading parts of the script he’s not in, preferring to experience the finale as a viewer himself.
The actor has nothing but praise for show creator Mike White, calling his writing a “masterclass” and a privilege to bring to life. As Saxon Ratliff, the eldest son of a wealthy North Carolina family, Schwarzenegger has tackled some of the season’s most talked-about moments, including a nude scene and an incestuous threesome with his on-screen brother. His performance has earned accolades, proving his chops in the midst of the show’s bold narrative choices.
Early buzz around Season 3 has been a mixed bag—some critics laud its ambition, while others question its pacing—but excitement for the finale is undeniable, as noted in a Variety feature on Schwarzenegger’s comments.
As The White Lotus Season 3 nears its conclusion, Patrick Schwarzenegger’s decision to watch alone underscores the show’s daring storytelling and adds a personal twist to his famous family’s dynamic. Fans are counting down to see how it all wraps up—and where Saxon Ratliff lands in the chaos.
