TAYME THAPTHIMTHONG

Q&A

GN: Tayme, congratulations on your role in White Lotus! How did you first hear about the project, and what drew you to the character you played?

TT: The first time I heard about the project was when I got called in for a casting. I hadn’t heard of The White Lotus before because I usually watch a lot of action films. What drew me to the character was that he is a security guard who works at a five-star hotel, which is very different from your typical nightclub bouncer or soldier. I had to do a bit of research to understand that nuance. I also thought back to my travels around Thailand—meeting locals and hotel staff, including security. They're usually not intimidating at all. They’re often the friendly faces that greet you when you first arrive. I wanted to bring that energy into the role—the warmth, the hospitality, and the genuine kindness that Thai people often show to visitors. That’s what I tried to reflect in my performance.

GN: White Lotus has such a unique ensemble of characters. How did you prepare for your role, and were there any challenges you faced while portraying your character?

TT: I answered this a little bit in the previous question. I did some research on how security guards in hotels around Thailand are, and I also talked with Mike White before we started filming. He didn't want Gaitok to be some sort of cool, macho guy; he wanted him to be sort of an all-around friendly person to everyone, just a loveable character. I prepared for that, and there was a lot of myself in there, too. Gaitok, who is always smiling, is very much part of who I am and the shyness around girls. But apart from that, with the weapons, I had to play it down because I have worked with weapons quite a bit in my sort of career as security and as a soldier. I'm holding the gun, trying to hold the gun in a way that it looks sort of like it's your first time or your first couple of times is quite hard. I tried to make it as convincing as possible.

GN: The show is known for its stunning cinematography and intricate storylines. Was there a particular scene or moment in the series that stood out to you as especially meaningful or impactful?

TT: There were scenes that I loved. I'm pretty sure they used the drone for that aerial sort of shot because I didn't see any helicopters anywhere while filming- it made me feel like Mike White just sees Thailand and understands it in this beautiful way where he captures it like in this slow motion. It's like looking into the island, looking out of the island, at the other islands and the sea; it's absolutely beautiful. Even though I've seen stunning views in Thailand, to see it through Mike White's eyes and the eyes of his team is very stunning. Other moments I found very meaningful and impactful to me are a lot of the scenes that I have with Lisa. It was so fun to work with her, Jason Isaacs, and Walton Goggins. 

GN: You've worked alongside some incredibly talented actors in White Lotus. Did you have a favorite scene to shoot?

TT: I enjoyed shooting the last scene, the actual shootout in episode 8. That's the moment I realized I had to show the layers of what my character had been feeling. It all came down to just a few facial expressions, but I had to convey so many emotions in a matter of seconds. That was something I loved. Having someone like Walton Goggins there made it even more special. I’ve admired him since I was young—he plays such great characters, and it was amazing to work with him and see him do his art. He stayed in character for the three days that we took to shoot the whole sequence, and that was quite something to behold.

GN: How did the experience of working on a show with such complex themes—like class, privilege, and personal turmoil—affect your view on these issues, if at all?

TT: I think the themes of class and privilege in this particular season with Westerners coming to an island portrays real life with the world gap between. The characters Gaitok and Timothy Ratliff have such a wide gap between them in class, as Gaitok is very content with his life on the island and doesn't need a massive mansion or how to live like how Timothy does.  If you gave them the same amount of money, I think they'd do something different because they're so used to a different kind of lifestyle.

GN: White Lotus often plays with the balance between comedy and drama. How would you describe the tone of the show, and how do you think it adds to its unique appeal?

TT: I think it's amazing to see this whole thing play out; this is what the genius of Mike White's writing is about. He can create so much tension just between characters, the blend between that and the tension and the comedy, I don't know how Mike White does it, I think so, it's amazing.

GN: The character dynamics in White Lotus are so intricate. What did you enjoy most about exploring the relationships between the characters?

TT: Yeah, they are intricate. I can't say much about other characters because that's for them to answer, but for me getting to know the character of Mook. That was cool, you know, just getting the guidelines from Mike. Lisa first arrived the day after the cast dinner, and Mike asked us to go and have a meeting at his villa to talk through our characters. He wanted it to compare to how we wanted it and sort of strike a little balance there. It was great, Mike was very clear on how he wanted Gaitok to be. He still allowed me the freedom to explore Gaitok and put a lot of myself in Gaitok to design myself. Mike White said he wanted Lisa and me to get to know each other because we're supposed to grow together and know each other at a young age. It was great getting to know Mook through Lisa. We had meals and die activities in general to become good friends, and it made it so much more fun on set.

GN: The series is famous for its shocking twists and dark humor. Can you tell us about any unexpected moments or surprises that occurred behind the scenes while filming?

TT: We’d all read the script, so there weren’t too many surprises during filming. I was genuinely shocked to find out that I was the one who did the shooting at the end. I didn’t expect Gaitok to play such a big role. I was told he had a great part, but I didn’t realize how significant it would be—especially in the finale. Reading that part for the first time, I was both surprised and excited. It meant I got to take Gaitok from being this happy-go-lucky, friendly guy to someone who’s suddenly faced with taking a life and dealing with the aftermath. That kind of arc is so interesting to play.

GN: Outside of acting, do you have any other passions or projects you're working on that you'd like to share with Goodnight's readers?

TT: Outside of acting, I love singing and hip-hop dancing. I’ve been continuing to work on music—putting out covers and just seeing where it leads. If I meet the right producer, I’d love to collaborate and maybe even create a track or an album someday. I’m open to it all. Honestly, whatever comes first—if music opportunities come up, I’ll go for it. If acting gigs pop up first, I’m there. I want both in my life. When it comes to acting, I’d love to do more action stuff—show off some cool gun skills in an action film. That’s the dream.

GN: Looking ahead, what kind of roles or projects are you most excited to explore in the future? Do you have any dream collaborations you'd like to be a part of?

TT: Absolutely—I’ve got my eye on future roles and projects. I’d love to be part of the John Wick universe or something like Sicario. Of course, James Bond—I mean, being British, that would be a dream come true. It feels like a great time for more Asian representation on screen, and I’d love to be part of that. Marvel, Star Wars—I’d be all over that. Playing a Sith with a red lightsaber? Yes, please. And I’ve always loved epic fantasy films—something in the vibe of Lord of the Rings would be amazing, too. That's always been my favorite. 

GN: What does the term Goodnight mean to you?

TT: “Goodnight,” to me, is just something simple and sweet—it’s what I say to my loved ones and friends before I head to bed. That’s all it means to me.

Photographer: KIMBERLY GOODNIGHT Stylist: SCHLAGENHAUF

Groomer: SONIA LEE for EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS using KOH GEN DO

Location: AE STUDIO Design: MICHAEL GOODNIGHT

Production: MEDIA PLAYGROUND PR