Lukas Gage Wants To Be Back On ‘The White Lotus’ Set For Season 4: “I Would Hold The Boom Mic”

Lukas Gage has long established himself in Hollywood circles as a Renaissance man. In addition to a bustling acting career in both film (Companion, Road House) and television (The White Lotus, Overcompensating), Gage recently completed his memoir, I Wrote This for Attention, which is out on October 14 from Simon & Schuster. His openness, charm, and talent have long endeared him to audiences and allowed him to pursue all sorts of passions. His latest cause, in partnership with Gilead Sciences (note: the actor is a paid spokesperson for HealthySexuals.com), is building awareness of PrEP and the importance it plays in protecting against HIV transmission.

“The most important thing you can do is be responsible,” said Gage of his mission. “Part of being responsible is having the knowledge and awareness of how to protect yourself and others.” There was a time where Gage wasn’t sure of himself and his sex life. “I had a lot of confused feelings about my sexuality right after high school,” remembered Gage. “You’re in that weird in-between stage where you’re supposed to be an adult and supposed to know exactly what you’re doing and who you are, but you just have no idea.”

As Gage’s personal confidence has grown, so has his career. Gage starred in two of the most exciting genre movies in recent years: Smile 2 and Companion. “Growing up, horror films were an escape for me,” said Gage. “I would stay home from school and beg my mom to watch all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.” These types of projects are “very special” to Gage because these are “[his] mom’s favorite movies.” “She only really watches stuff that I do that’s horror,” laughed Gage. “I’m happy to be a scream king or queen.”

Gage spoke with us over Zoom to discuss his upcoming memoir, working with Benito Skinner on Overcompensating, and whether or not he do another season of The White Lotus.

DECIDER: I want to start by talking about why we’re here: which is to discuss your important campaign with http://healthysexuals.com/. Can you tell me why you wanted to get involved and raise awareness for PrEP?

LUKAS GAGE: It’s a very important campaign because it involves an issue that I cared deeply about. I feel like we’ve come a long way for the fight against HIV, thanks to some of the amazing scientific breakthroughs and innovations like PrEP. As a person and a public figure, I felt it was important to get involved with Gilead to spread the word and stop the stigma, to help anyone who is trying to get on the medication, and to provide more information to people who maybe don’t have it readily available to them.

PrEP is fairly common in urban spaces, but what can people who live in more rural areas do? Where can they go to learn more?

The most important thing you can do is be responsible. Part of being responsible is having the knowledge and awareness of how to protect yourself and others. It’s a smart choice whether you live in a big city or a small city or if you’re single or in a relationship. The most important thing is to get the facts. You can start by talking to a doctor or visit this link (https://lukas.healthysexuals.com/) to learn more about the resources that are available to you.

In addition to helping young men advocate for their sexual health, you also recently wrote your memoir, I Wrote This For Attention, which I think is a brilliant title. Were there any other titles you considered?

No, and I’m not kidding [laughs]. I took meetings with a bunch of different publishers, and many fought me on the title. They told me they didn’t think it would be received the way I hoped. But to me, this was always the title. It’s hilarious to me. There is a theme throughline throughout this book of the attention that I’m seeking from other people. It’s the story of how much that little boy who needed attention became this man who’s still needing attention [laughs].

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting attention.

No, there is nothing wrong with it. We all want attention, and that’s normal. To a certain degree, every person can relate to that. There’s a universal feeling of wanting to be seen and be validated. With my book, I’m getting the right kind of attention and not for the wrong reasons.

Before your author era, you appeared in two of the best horror movies in recent years: Smile 2 and Companion. Did you ever see yourself carving out a niche in genre projects?

I love genre films. I love genre bending films. Growing up, horror films were an escape for me. I talk about this a bit in my book. I would stay home from school and beg my mom to watch all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies . So, to be in these types of projects is very special to me. These are my mom’s favorite movies. She only really watches stuff that I do that’s horror. So I’m happy to be a scream king or queen [laughs].

Overcompensating was recently renewed for a Season 2 and thank God! I know Benito Skinner is a pal of yours. Did he have to do much to convince you to play Sammy?

No, he and Mary Beth [Barone] texted me and asked me if I wanted to do it, and it was an immediate “yes.” He’s a genius. He’s so funny and just an amazing person overall. The story also has a really sweet and important message, but it’s done in such a funny, smart Benito way. I was honored and happy to be a part of that.

That scene in the car in which Sammy is so raw with his feelings but Benny isn’t ready to come out is so moving. What do you remember about filming that sequence?

I just remember seeing a lot of myself in it. I had a lot of confused feelings about my sexuality right after high school. You’re in that weird in-between stage where you’re supposed to be an adult and supposed to know exactly what you’re doing and who you are, but you just have no idea. I didn’t know what I was. I didn’t know what I was feeling or how to label myself.

And if you get the call for season two, will you answer?

Who says I haven’t already got the call ? [laughs] We’ll find out, but yeah, of course I’ll do it.

You were in the first season of The White Lotus. The season that started it all! What has it been like to watch the success of the show continue?

It’s amazing. I’m so happy for Mike White and the producers and Jennifer Coolidge. I’m obsessed with watching it as a fan now. It’s so cool to be a part of something big and massive that people love so much. I’ve only had one show I’ve been on where I came in while the show was already a massive success, which was Netflix’s You. That was so much scarier than being on Euphoria and White Lotus because we weren’t even thinking about how big they would eventually become. There’s something really beautiful about that.

I know Mike White loves to bring back former characters. If he wanted Dillon to come work abroad in France for Season 4, would you be open to it?

I would hold the boom mic for Mike White. I would do hair and makeup. I would do anything if Dillon was brought back, especially in France. That sounds really, really, really nice.

I was reading that the number 1 thing you love is an eccentric older woman, which same here. Can you name a few of your favorites and why?

Sally, she’s working with me on the Gilead project. I’m obsessed with her. I’m looking at her right now in this crazy, sexy snakeskin suit. I love Jennifer Coolidge. Also, my best friend’s mom Joanna, who lives on the Upper East Side right next to the Met. We FaceTime five times a day. She builds dollhouses for a living. My best friends are all older, eccentric women, and I will keep it that way.