Jason Isaacs Says Duke Wanted to Go Viral with White Lotus Shirt Drama

Jason Isaacs, known for his role in the recent season of “The White Lotus,” found himself at the center of a minor controversy with Duke University. In the show’s third season, Isaacs’ character is seen wearing a Duke University T-shirt during a murder-suicide dream sequence. This caught the attention of the university, leading to a public protest against the unauthorized use of their logo.

Frank Tramble, Duke’s VP of communications, marketing, and public affairs, expressed the university’s disapproval in an interview with The New York Times. He stated that the use of Duke’s brand in such a context was troubling and did not align with the institution’s values.

In response, Isaacs decided to have a bit of fun with the situation. At “The White Lotus” Season 3 finale event, he appeared wearing a Duke shirt as a playful jab at the university. During an interview on the Prestige Junkie podcast, Isaacs revealed that he purchased the shirt at the Charlotte Airport after his flight was canceled and his bags were taken away. He saw it as an opportunity to stir up some mischief in light of Duke’s reaction.

Isaacs found the whole ordeal amusing, dismissing Duke’s response as an attempt to generate online buzz. He humorously pointed out that the real-life alumni of Duke University are quite a colorful bunch, making the idea of a fictional character causing them trouble seem far-fetched.

Overall, the incident served as a lighthearted moment in the ongoing saga between Duke University and “The White Lotus.” Isaacs’ playful retaliation added a touch of humor to what could have been a more serious situation. In the end, it was all in good fun and demonstrated the power of entertainment to spark conversation and laughter.