The White Lotus, Season Two

Available on: NOW TV/Sky Atlantic

As well as the fact it includes one of the funniest character deaths in recent TV history, the second season of Mike White’s critically acclaimed dark comedy is notable for the fact it overcomes the familiar pitfalls of the proverbial difficult second album.

Featuring a new set of awful hotel guests, it builds on the success of the debut season and delivers a sequel that is arguably even juicier in terms of laughs, shock value, and social commentary. Whether it’s the return of Jennifer Coolidge’s gloriously dim-witted socialite or the bizarre foursome that is comprised of Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Theo James, and Meghan Fahy’s characters, there is plenty to chew over.

While the cast, much like the first season, are a delight, it’s White that deserves the plaudits for devising a follow-up that builds on the success of The White Lotus’ debut outing without repeating the formula. Granted, the season’s glorious Sicilian setting helps matter, but it takes a writer of considerable discipline to avoid re-treading familiar tropes and White does so, successfully leaving viewers such as I crossing their fingers for a third instalment.