After watching season 1 of The White Lotus, which premiered in July 2021, people couldn’t get enough of the mysterious yet enticing story of a bunch of strangers who are all staying at the same hotel in Hawaii. Now, the popular HBO Max series is back — but this time, the only original cast member is Jennifer Coolidge, and it will take place in Italy.
One of the many fans happens to be Beatrice Grannò, who nabbed the role as Mia in season 2, which debuts on Sunday, October 30. “I’ve always loved Mike White, the creator of the series. He’s a great comedian and he’s got such a creative mind. When I found out I would be auditioning for the character, I spent the whole day organizing a self-tape. I asked my friend to help me, and I sent it in,” the actress exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.
As a result, White was impressed with Grannò, as he was looking for an Italian girl who would be playing a musician, meaning whoever took on the role would have to sing and play piano. “I spent every day practicing,” she recalls. “Everywhere I went I brought the keyboard with me. I had it in my room, and I was rehearsing and practicing like crazy.”
The 29-year-old was perfect for the part, as she “always wanted to be a musician” from a young age, but she then decided to pursue acting. “Music has always played a very important role in my life. For me, music activates every creative process of mine. I was dreaming of the chance to be in a project where I could be an actress and a musician,” she explains. “I studied piano, and I recently signed with a music label now in Italy. The songs I had to learn were mainly jazz. Mike wanted Mia to be more sponantenous — he didn’t want her to be this incredible piano player.”
Enter Este Haim, part of the popular band Haim, who helped the Italy native prepare to star on the small screen. However, Grannò recalls not knowing who she was at first, but of course knew her music. “She arrived and said, ‘I’m Este,’ and I didn’t put it together. The first day she sang a song, and I said, ‘You’re amazing, you’re a musician, right?’ And she said, ‘I have a band with my sisters.’ I said, ‘Oh, that’s nice.’ One of the producers said, ‘You know she’s in a massive band, right?’ I later told my friends, and they were like, ‘How did you not recognize her?'”
After apologizing profusely, Grannò ended up bonding with Haim, who was a real mentor for her while filming The White Lotus.
“She was incredible,” she gushes. “She was sort of like a vocal coach but also a friend. She was really rooting for me. She helped me understand what was happening. I was so happy to work with her because she’s an amazing artist. It was a dream for me to play a musician in such a beautiful show.”
The rising star typically sings “with a very soft, small voice,” but she realized she “was hiding” her skills. “Este kept telling me, ‘You have to shout it out!’ I didn’t think I would be able to do that, but in the end, I did, and I’m very happy. When I got back to Italy, my band told me my voice changed. I overcame that stress of wanting to have the perfect performance because I was there and we shot all the piano scenes at night,” she says. “It was 4 in the morning, and I said, ‘How am I going to do this?’ But somehow I did. I’m so grateful to Mike — he was so supportive.”
For Grannò, it was her first time playing “such an energetic character,” she notes. “I’ve always played dramatic characters, and I’m very comfortable being vulnerable — I can do that really well. Mia never really doubted herself. She’s like, ‘I want to play the piano and I’m good. I’m so talented, so I am going to show you.’ She’s never unsure of herself.”
She continues, “It was fun for me to play someone who was like that. It’s also a comedy, so I got to have fun. I did drama school in London, and it was fun to work with Mike because he’s hilarious.”
Not only was Italy an amazing place to film, but Grannò got to work with Coolidge and Aubrey Plaza, two amazing actresses in Hollywood. “We all hung out together because we were all in the same hotel. Jennifer is lovely. I was such a fan, and I didn’t expect her to be that genuine. She’s such a beautiful soul,” she shares. “She’s so open and vulnerable, and she’s never afraid of showing it. I didn’t get to act with her, though, because my character does not meet her, but she’s a great artist. Meanwhile, Aubrey is so funny and inspirational. She gave me advice and was always there to make me feel confident.”
As for how season 2 differs from season 1, Grannò explains: “It’s the same concept, but it goes a little deeper. Every character is connected to one another. In the first season, you got to enjoy the richness — this big room with all of these people who have money. This time it’s about wanting to be happy but somehow not being able to. It’s very chaotic and very Italian in a way.”
Earlier this year, The White Lotus took home a slew of Emmy Awards — something Grannò hopes to happen again. “That would be incredible. I don’t know if it will happen, but I’m pretty sure people will love it. I’m trying to enjoy the moment right now. I feel so lucky. It’s crazy just talking about the show. I am like, ‘What is happening?'” she says.
As for what’s next, Grannò will return to Italy to work on a couple of projects, which includes recording her first album. “I hope I get the chance to audition for international projects,” she declares. “I would love for that to happen. I hope this experience will give me the chance to work in the U.S. — you never know!”
“If I had told myself one year ago I would be in this TV series, I wouldn’t have believed you,” she adds. “I’m proud of what I’ve done, and I hope everyone likes it!”
The White Lotus premieres on Sunday, October 30, on HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET.
