Duke University Is Super Pissed About ‘The White Lotus’

The Duke vs. UNC rivalry is strong in The White Lotus—and not everyone is happy about it.

Throughout HBO’s controversial, Thailand-set third season of The White Lotus, viewers have regularly witnessed the Ratliff family arguing the merits of the Blue Devils over the Tar Heels and vice versa. But the powers-that-be at Duke would apparently rather not be a part of the conversation at all. Especially after the show’s most recent episode.

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As Vulture reports, Duke is claiming that the series’ producers did not request permission to feature the school’s merchandise in the show.

“The White Lotus not only uses our brand without permission, but in our view uses it on imagery that is troubling, does not reflect our values or who we are, and simply goes too far,” said Frank Tramble, Duke’s vice president for communications, marketing, and public affairs, in a statement. The school took particular issue with the episode that aired on Sunday, March 23, in which Timothy Ratliff, Jason Isaacs’ character, fantasizes about taking his life—along with the life of his wife Victoria (played by Parker Posey).

“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death on college campuses,” said Tramble. “As imagery from the show is being shared widely across social media, we are using our brand to promote mental health awareness and remind people that help is available.”

In the show, Timothy and Victoria Ratliff—plus their children Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), and Lochlan (Sam Nivola), who has been accepted to both Duke and UNC—are disconnected from their devices and on vacation when Timothy gets word that the illegal financial schemes he’s been cooking up back at home have finally caught up to him. 

Timothy has spent several episodes struggling with how to wriggle his way off the hook for his crimes, and knows it’s only a matter of time before his family plugs back into the world and learns of his corporate misdeeds.Thailand when Timothy gets word that the illegal financial schemes he’s been cooking up back at home have finally been figured out. He has spent several episodes struggling with how to wriggle his way off the hook for his crimes, and knows it’s only a matter of time before his family plugs back into the world and learns of his corporate misdeeds.

“Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling, but characters prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists,” Tramble concluded.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).