White Lotus producer responds after fans are left shocked by 'gross' incest scene

The executive producer of The White Lotus has issued his response after fans were left seriously shocked by a 'gross' incest scene.

Now, the third series of the hit HBO drama landed on our screens last month (16 February) and it didn't take long for the beloved TV programme to include some full-frontal nudity, with Patrick Schwarzenegger giving viewers a look at his manhood in the very first episode.

And that was far from the last shock of the series...

Set in Thailand, the third season stars Natasha Rothwell, Jason Isaacs, and Aimee Lou Wood alongside Schwarzenegger who plays the eldest son, Saxon, of the wealthy Ratliff family, alongside siblings played by Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola.

While it's received some rave reviews, it's clear some viewers at home were seriously disturbed by the hints of a potentially incestuous relationship between the siblings.

After arriving at the luxury resort, Saxon moans that his sister Piper (Hook) should not sleep in the same room as the youngest child Lochlan (Nivola) as they have 'full grown genitals'.

In the end, Saxon and Lochlan share a room with one scene showing Saxon make a number of remarks about his sister’s attractiveness and sex life and asks about his brother’s taste in porn.

Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Patrick Schwarzenegger star as the Ratliff siblings in the third season of The White Lotus (HBO)

Saxon then wonders how he’ll be able to 'jerk off all week' with his brother in the room, before walking to the bathroom fully nude.

Flash-forward a few more episodes and the disturbingly inappropriate relationship between the two brothers, Saxon and Lochlan, comes to a peak when they share a passionate kiss in order to impress Chelsea (Wood) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) who shared a smooch beforehand - a scene which prompted many fans of The White Lotus to hit out over on social media.

One X user fumed: "Alright I’m getting tired of y’all being into this White Lotus incest storyline like keep it to yourself that’s gross."

"The incest is actually happening HAPPENING," exclaimed a second, while a third slammed: "Some of y'all are a little too excited about the incest in White Lotus."

A fourth chimed in: "White Lotus really putting incest on my screen..."

"Why did I just wake up to incest scene in The White Lotus," questioned another.

And a final X user echoed: "This trend of Hollywood casting two *hot* actors to try to make incest look hot is really weird and needs to stop. If I see one more tweet wanting the brothers to f**k in The White Lotus I will scream!!

"We should not be rooting for incest you weirdos!!"

Following all the shock online, executive producer of the show, David Bernad, has come forward to address his thoughts on whether an incest plot was taking things too far.

Viewers hit out over the seriously 'weird' incest scene between the two Ratliff brothers (HBO)

"No, in terms of that - that’s all [creator Mike White]," he told the New York Post. "Mike is brilliant, and I think those big story turns are not just for shock."

Bernad added: "There’s a specific reason in terms of the narrative storytelling, and the larger thematic idea Mike is trying to get across."

He also explained: "As the season wraps up, you’ll see the purpose of that story turn. The show goes there for a larger thematic idea.

"I love that family storyline, especially the brother story - and, it culminates in a very satisfying way."

White Lotus is currently available to stream on NOW TV.