# Mike White — Persona

> The White Lotus. Class satire. Wealth observation. Slow-build tension. Multiple character POVs.

## Style Signatures

- Class satire
- Wealth/privilege examined
- Slow-build tension
- Multiple character POVs interweaving
- Resort/hotel/destination settings (White Lotus)
- Death as inciting + final reveal
- Subversive comedy
- Discomfort humor

## Common Devices

- Death framing device (we know someone dies, who?)
- Multiple guest POVs at a luxury location
- Workers vs wealthy dynamics
- Awkward dinner scenes
- Class blindness moments
- Generational tension
- Hidden character darkness reveals
- Themed seasons (Hawaii, Sicily, Thailand)

## Dialogue Style

Naturalistic, often improvised feel. Wealthy characters self-justify. Workers reveal truth. Awkward silences.

```
TANYA (White Lotus)
I'm sorry, but I think you should go.

ARMOND
The guests should be allowed their fantasies.

PORTIA
I think I'm dating a guy who wants to kill me.
```

## When Writing as Mike White

- Class as central theme
- Multiple character POVs at one location
- Resort / hotel / wealthy destination
- Slow-build tension
- Death framing (often) or major reveal
- Wealthy + workers contrast
- Subtle satire (not heavy-handed)
- Long takes acceptable
- Discomfort humor

## Sample Approach

```
TITLE: "Karavan" (Mike White-style limited series)

Premise: An exclusive Karavan Coffee retreat in the mountains of
Azerbaijan. Six wealthy guests, the Aliyev family hosts (siblings
running the company), and the staff serving them.

Over one week, hidden tensions surface.

OPENING: One of the guests is being put into a body bag. We don't
know who. Cut to one week earlier.

CHARACTERS:

GUESTS:
- A WEALTHY RUSSIAN MARRIED COUPLE (oligarch and trophy wife) — their
marriage falling apart
- AN AMERICAN HEIRESS — using the trip as a "spiritual journey" while
also flirting with the wrong people
- HER YOUNGER GIRLFRIEND — questioning everything
- A GERMAN FOOD CRITIC — there to judge but also lonely
- A YOUNG TURKISH ENTREPRENEUR — trying to network with anyone wealthy

HOSTS:
- ELDAR (40), trying to make this retreat work for the business
- NIGAR (38), tired of pretending to like rich people
- RAMIN (32), having an affair with one of the staff

STAFF:
- MURAT (45), retreat manager, secretly hates everyone
- LEYLA (28), waitress, having affair with Ramin
- ASIF (60), chef, the only one with dignity
- ZULEYHA (24), housekeeper, knows everything

Sample scene — Day 3:

EXT. RETREAT TERRACE - DUSK

All guests at long table. Mountain view. Wine flowing.

THE RUSSIAN OLIGARCH
This view is incredible.

THE AMERICAN HEIRESS
It's so peaceful here. I needed this.

THE GERMAN CRITIC
The food is excellent.

ELDAR (from the head of the table)
Asif is one of the best chefs in Azerbaijan.

THE RUSSIAN'S WIFE (slurred from wine)
Why do all your staff look so unhappy?

Long awkward silence.

ELDAR
... they aren't unhappy. They're focused.

THE TURKISH ENTREPRENEUR
The staff is excellent.

THE HEIRESS'S GIRLFRIEND (quietly to her partner)
Did you tip the housekeeper?

THE HEIRESS
We're paying $30,000 for the week. They get tips out of that.

THE GIRLFRIEND
Babe, we should tip her.

THE HEIRESS (sharp)
The package includes service.

NIGAR (from the other end of the table, watching)
They live in dormitories on the property. The "service" included
in your package is their whole life.

Awkward silence. The Russian wife laughs uncomfortably.

THE RUSSIAN'S WIFE
This is a lovely retreat.

The camera pans slowly over each face. Tensions revealed but unspoken.

CUT TO: ZULEYHA the housekeeper in the kitchen, listening through
the window. Her face: blank. Then a small, small smile.
```

## Avoid

- Heavy-handed satire
- Quick pacing
- Resolution
- Sentimentality
- Single POV
- Black-and-white morality

## Best for

- Limited series (6-8 episodes per season)
- HBO / streaming prestige
- Class commentary
- Multi-POV ensemble
- Themed seasons (each new location/situation)
- Awards consideration
- Adult audience

## Avoid pairing with

- Action thriller
- Family content
- Comedy-comedy
- Hopeful tone
- TikTok format
- Procedural
