'The White Lotus' Cuts Milos Pekovic From Cast – The Hollywood Reporter

Milos Pekovic

Srdjan Stefanovic/Getty Images

Actor Miloš Peković will no longer be a part of it White lotus.

HBO says it has “decided to part ways” with the actor and will recast the role in the upcoming third season of the series, which is scheduled to begin filming in Thailand this month. The change comes after the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry criticized Bekovic's selection for the Serbian-born actor's apparent support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a social media post dated January 24, The ministry wrote“, “HBO, is it okay for you to work with someone who supports genocide and violates international law?” via video of Pekovic's comments on Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea. Pekovic has worked in Russia for the past decade. He received an award from Vladimir Putin in 2018 and became a citizen Russia in 2021.

“I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of it,” Pekovic said in a statement of his own White lotus, a television series that I appreciate very much and with my colleagues whom I respect greatly. But my participation is not possible for reasons outside the scope of art, and I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity. I would like to thank everyone who stood by me. I wish my colleagues great success in creating the next season.

Pekovic was part of a cast that includes season 1 regulars Natasha Rothwell, Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Michelle Monaghan, Tyme Thapthithong, Carrie Coon, Christian Friedle, Morgana O'Reilly, Lake Patravadi, Shalini Pires, and Walton. Goggins, Sarah Katherine Hook, Sam Nivola, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Amy Lou Wood.

Creator, writer and director Mike White is producing the series with David Bernad and Mark Kamen.

Delivery time I reported the news for the first time.