The White Lotus has been one of those shows that keeps people talking for good reason. Well, it's got all the things to talk about so it's justifiable. Luxury, people’s secrets, and all kinds of mess on a tropical vacation in a drama series? Sign me up! On-screen you meet a world of rich guests, staff doing their jobs, and a young assistant named Portia (in Season 2) who works for Tanya. The show gives us a glimpse into Portia’s life and the dynamics around her. It makes you wonder who she really is beyond the surface.Portia is portrayed by Haley Lu Richardson. She arrives as someone unassuming but curious. She’s polite, still finding her footing, and often overshadowed by the big personalities around her. The White Lotus uses her as a supporting character in many moments. And that’s where the fun (and frustration) come in. Because you sense she has more going on. You sense she could have been given more space to shine. Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinions. Readers' discretion is advised. The White Lotus: Why Portia deserved more nuance View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe White Lotus sets up Portia as Tanya’s assistant and we see her adjusting in a world of privilege that she doesn’t really belong to. That contrast is interesting. We see glimpses of her trying to keep up, trying to connect, and also trying to protect herself. But the show rarely gives her deeper inner thoughts or a personal arc that stands on its own. A strong character needs more than reactions; she needs decisions. Portia often reacts to Tanya’s whims or to what others do. That makes her feel less like a whole person and more like a side note.The White Lotus shows Portia wearing style cues and speaking in a tone that some viewers picked up as “Gen-Z assistant.” That very label becomes a trap. Instead of using those cues to reveal her ambitions, her values, or her fears, the show almost lets them be the joke. For example - her wardrobe becomes a talking point among critics. They ask if it’s even authentic. A young character should get more context. There should be more layers than “young and confused in a rich world.” Portia deserved that extra context.The White Lotus could have let Portia take a path where she initiates change. Rather than constantly being nudged. We barely see her plan something of her own or reflect on who she wants to be. She stays rooted in her role as “assistant to Tanya” or “object of Jack’s flirtation.” If the show had given her a backstory moment, like a call home, or a wish she puts aside, or a bold move she tries and fails, then she could have been that mirror the show needed. A mirror that reflects the young person trying to find her place. Portia had the acting. But what lacked was the story to match.The White Lotus had the perfect setup to explore that side of Portia. She could have been the one to save Tanya from the boat disaster. She could have trusted her instincts and got away from Jack and his group with Tanya before it was too late. She could have been the voice of reasoning. But the show, instead, portrayed her as a young woman working under someone unpredictable like Tanya, stuck between wanting to escape and needing the job. That's all. Portia became a background figure to Tanya’s downfall. If the show had leaned into that, Portia might have ended up being one of the most memorable and relatable characters The White Lotus ever had.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates and detailed coverage.