The White Lotus’ Murray Bartlett Believes This Is What Makes His Villainous Character So Likable

Murray Bartlett admits the key strength of his character lies in series creator Mike White’s writing. In an interview with Good Morning America, he describes how White’s writing gives the characters depth, allowing the audience to see their “demons” and why they’re pushed to do the things they do. The actor also notes that the show as a whole uses comedy to draw people in before ultimately landing a dramatic blow. The infamous suitcase scene is a perfect example of this, balancing the outrageous act he commits with the very real, dangerous consequences the act brings. This careful scripting is likely a large part of what won the series multiple Emmys and earned it an unplanned second season on HBO.

Bartlett even acknowledges that he found himself relating to Armond while portraying the character. In an interview with Indie Wire, he broke down one of the qualities he feels he shares with his tragic “White Lotus” character: the desire to be a “people pleaser.” As hotel manager, Armond’s job is to cater to the guests and ensure that their experience is both memorable and positive. When interacting with guests outside of Shane and his wife, he actually seems to excel in this position. Even so, resentment stirs underneath the surface of his infectious smile and colorful attire, which Bartlett believes makes the character all the more effective. “Most of us can relate to the thing of having a public mask that we present to the world and having an inner life that is at odds with that” (via Indie Wire). It’s a fitting summation of Armond as character, whose demise ultimately comes from the incongruous nature of his prim, proper position as the face of the hotel, and the bitter, hedonistic desires lying just behind his eyes.