Actor Jon Gries, who plays the cunning and morally ambiguous character Greg Hunt (also known as Gary) in the critically acclaimed HBO series “The White Lotus,” recently opened up about the real-life criminal cases that inspired his intricate portrayal of the character. As Season 3 unfolds, viewers are discovering new layers to Greg’s story, making him one of the most intriguing and complex antagonists of the show.

Greg’s Transformation from Ill-Fated Lover to Master Manipulator

Gries’ character, Greg, was first introduced in Season 1 of “The White Lotus” as a seemingly unassuming man who falls for the quirky and wealthy Tanya McQuoid, played by Jennifer Coolidge. Greg’s initial portrayal was of a man suffering from terminal illness, giving his character a sympathetic and vulnerable dimension. However, as the narrative progressed into Season 2, the true nature of Greg’s intentions began to surface, leaving audiences stunned.

In Season 2, set in Sicily, Greg’s relationship with Tanya took a dark turn when he was revealed to be part of a sinister plot to orchestrate her murder in order to inherit her vast fortune. While Greg’s plans ultimately led to Tanya’s death, his own fate remained ambiguous—until the start of Season 3.

A Familiar Face Resurfaces in Thailand

Season 3, which premiered last month and is set at a luxury resort in Thailand, brought back Greg under a new alias—Gary. His reappearance shocked fans, especially when Belinda, Tanya’s former confidante from Season 1, recognized him. Belinda’s suspicions led her to dig deeper into Tanya’s death, ultimately unveiling Greg’s true identity and his successful evasion of justice.

As Greg’s transformation from an ill, lovesick man to a cold and calculated antagonist unfolds, Gries has been praised for his nuanced and multi-layered performance.

Gries on Building Greg’s Character: Drawing Inspiration from Real Crimes

In a recent interview, Jon Gries reflected on how his approach to portraying Greg evolved over the course of the show. He admitted that when he initially played Greg in Season 1, he envisioned the character as a genuinely ill man with no ulterior motives.

“In the beginning, I totally played him as a guy who was, you know, on his last legs,” Gries said. “When you play a character, you want to find his empathetic side, and you want to understand where they came from and what got them to where they are.”

However, Gries revealed that Mike White, the show’s creator, had different plans. When White contacted Gries about returning for Season 2, he hinted at a sinister evolution for Greg, asking Gries to commit to the role as the plot thickened.

“Mike said, ‘I’m writing it right now, and I’m writing you, and I just need to know here and now: If you’re in, I’ll continue writing. If not, I’ll stop,’” Gries recalled.

Upon learning about Greg’s drastic transformation, Gries had to reshape his perception of the character and tap into real-world cases that mirrored Greg’s cunning and deceit.

Real-Life Inspirations Behind Greg’s Devious Evolution

Gries drew inspiration from notorious real-life cases of financial fraud and betrayal, where individuals manipulated relationships to secure wealth and power. He studied cases of high-profile fraudsters and con artists who lured their victims into emotional entanglements before exploiting them for financial gain.

“I had to adjust my framing of Greg,” Gries said. “Once I understood where he was headed, I started looking into real cases where people manipulated others under the guise of love or trust. There are real-life cases where people orchestrate elaborate schemes, and I wanted to capture that complexity in Greg.”

The Challenge of Playing a Multi-Layered Villain

Gries acknowledged that the shift from portraying a sympathetic, terminally ill man to a conniving manipulator was a challenge. He worked closely with White to ensure that Greg’s transformation felt authentic and believable.

“I had built a comprehensive history for Greg in my own mind, but when Mike told me about the direction of the character, I had to reimagine everything,” Gries said. “It was a challenge, but also an exciting opportunity to explore the many sides of Greg.”

Greg’s Future in ‘The White Lotus’

As Season 3 progresses, Greg’s presence continues to loom large over the narrative. Belinda’s relentless pursuit of the truth threatens to expose Greg’s crimes, and fans are eager to see whether justice will finally catch up with him.

Gries has hinted that there may be more surprises in store for Greg’s character, suggesting that the twists and turns are far from over.

“Greg is a man who is always thinking a few steps ahead,” Gries teased. “He’s not done yet, and I think people will be surprised by what’s coming.”

A Career-Defining Role for Jon Gries

While Jon Gries has enjoyed a long career in Hollywood, his performance as Greg in “The White Lotus” has been hailed as a career-defining role. His ability to seamlessly shift between vulnerability and menace has captivated audiences, making Greg one of the most memorable villains in recent television history.

As fans eagerly await the next episodes of “The White Lotus,” Gries’ portrayal of Greg serves as a reminder that in the world of Mike White’s creation, nothing is ever as it seems.