“As we located the show at the Cannes Film festival, this idea of fame popped up,” he explained. “And [the idea of] who has the world’s attention? Who can grab it and who is the plus one in a relationship?

“What are the things that satisfy us? Is it the love of an intimate partner, the love of strangers, what do we prioritise in people?”

He continued: “It really examines the things we value as people and what is attractive to us, and how fame can be corrosive and dictate your choices in life.

“Some of the characters are existentially reflecting on those choices, some are reflecting on the choices and sacrifices they made as artists, and some are just starting to enter into this world of fame.”

Bernad added that the episodes would look at “how relationships can be corroded” by celebrity – but if all that sounds a little bit heavy, rest assured that he also described the upcoming season as “the funniest” White Lotus offering to date, as well as the “most personal”.