Murray Bartlett Said That The White Lotus Rimming Scene Was Totally Improvised

When in doubt, eat ass!

Murray Bartlett revealed in a recent profile with Variety that the iconic ass-eating scene on HBO's The White Lotus wasn't even on the script to begin with.

In the scene, Bartlett's character Armond is caught by Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and Shane (Jake Lacy) with his face right in between the butt cheeks of his employee Dillon (Lukas Gage).

Bartlett explained:

"It was written that something sexual was happening between us, and it was shocking to Shane and Belinda. [Writer and director Mike White] didn't want us to do anything that we weren't comfortable with, but we were sort of left open as to what the scene would actually be. Lukas and I came up with some different ideas and we both really liked that one because it's unusual and very shocking. When we suggested it to Mike, he looked at us with terror and glee at the same time and said, 'Can we do that?' And then we did it!"

In the profile, Bartlett also discussed his decision to come out as a gay man early on in his acting career - which was a risky move at the time. The actor reflected:

Trending stories

Katseye’s Lara Rajagopalan comes out, says she's 'half fruitcake'

From rock legends to Pride flags: Discover the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Asbury Park

Have LGBTQ+ rights in Florida reached a turning point? Advocates have hope

Where to stay in LGBTQ+ Ireland: Castles, domes and luxury retreats

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

BREAKING NEWS: Trump admin moves to end federal HIV prevention programs

Discover why chic Costa Navarino is Europe's luxury getaway

Gerald Garth is determined to keep people of color happy and healthy through trying times

Pride journey Walla Walla: An LGBTQ+ wine, food, and adventure getaway

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

Exclusive: Mike Maimone honors late husband Howard Bragman in new single “On My Way”

Meet the cast of new lesbian dating show 'You Hauled'

Olly Alexander's sexy new album 'Polari' is inspired by cruising & intimacy

SFAF's Dr. Tyler TerMeer says he'll continue to fight for health care for all

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Kelly Marie Tran says all of her roles are queer — including her latest in 'Control Freak'

Pete Buttigieg: Trump Cabinet's use of Signal app for military ops is ‘highest level of f**kup imaginable’

Jess King is here to help you live your happiest, healthiest life yet

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

Fireworks in D.C. courtroom as judge hears DOJ request to undo block on trans military ban

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Disney shareholders vote overwhelmingly to continue in Human Rights Campaign index

Former Denmark Ambassador Rufus Gifford responds to VP Vance's 'not a good ally' comments

Everything we know about Austin Wolf's arrest, court date & what happens next (updated)

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

"Of course, there was a thought in my mind of like, 'I want to have a really great career, and I don't want to be pigeonholed in a certain way.' But not being able to be myself was never something that I felt interested in. I just didn't want to hide."

Meanwhile, production on season two of The White Lotus has already begun. The upcoming season is being dubbed The White Lotus: Sicily, and it'll mark the return of Jennifer Coolidge reprising her role as Tanya McQuoid. On the other hand, this second season will take place in an entirely new destination, so Bartlett - along with most of the cast in season one - is not expected to come back.

The White Lotus is streaming on HBO Max.

RELATED | Aubrey Plaza Is Headed to The White Lotus Season Two