We Finally Know When 'Euphoria' Season 3 Will Film
This story contains spoilers from the season 2 finale of Euphoria.
At long last, the Euphoria hiatus has an end in (sort of) sight. After nearly three years in limbo, the HBO teen drama is currently slated to start filming season 3 in January 2025. That’s still six months from now—which means the earliest the show would premiere would be an additional six to eight months from then—but at least there’s a plan in motion. Even better: Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer are all set to return.
“I am thrilled that we are ready to begin production on Euphoria in January,” Francesca Orsi, executive vice-president of HBO programming and head of HBO drama series and films, stated in the official press release. “We could not be happier with our creative partnership with [creator] Sam [Levinson] and this incredible cast. We look forward to bringing this new season of Euphoria to life for the fans.”
When we left the series in season 1, there was no doubt that the focus was on Rue and Rue alone. But in season 2’s finale, nearly every character’s arc crashed to some kind of end. Esquire favorite Colman Domingo teased the future of the show in an interview with Deadline, saying that Levinson is “going to take some really big swings actually with season 3.”
Until we can see season 3 with our own eyes, here’s everything we know about the future of Euphoria.
Which Actors Will Return for Euphoria Season 3?
When season 2 ended, the fates of many characters were up in the air—and with a multi-year wait for a production timeline to emerge, many of the show’s stars filled their calendars with other projects. Zendaya starred in Challengers, Sydney Sweeney filmed Anyone but You and Immaculate, and Hunter Schafer just appeared in Yorgos Lanthimos’s Kinds of Kindness. But not to worry, they will all return for season 3.
Barbie Ferreira, who plays Kat, previously announced via Instagram that she will not return for the next season. Kat first stole viewers’ hearts in season 1 as a body-conscious teen who was just beginning to embrace her sexuality, but in season 2, she was mostly on the sidelines. Kat’s reduced storyline even sparked rumors that Ferreira herself was unhappy with Euphoria. Regardless, Kat’s story comes to an end as the actress says farewell.
“After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I’m having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye,” Ferreira wrote on Instagram. “I hope many of you could see yourself in her like I did and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today. I put all my care and love into her and I hope you guys could feel it. Love you, Katherine Hernandez.”
Dominic Fike, who played Elliot in season 2, told Variety that his character’s future—and his own participation—is uncertain. When asked about returning to Euphoria, Fike said it would be “dope” but that he hadn’t heard from the production team. “Last time I talked to them, it was cool, [but] I don’t really talk to them anymore,” he said. “Who knows? I’ve got stuff to do.”
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how Levinson will say goodbye to the beloved Angus Cloud, who died in July 2023. The fate of Cloud’s character, Fez, is unclear, but we’re hoping Euphoria gives him an honorable exit.
What’s in Store for Euphoria High in Season 3?
Let’s start with one of the finale’s best developments: Rue in recovery. During the course of the episode, we learn that Rue is not only maintaining her sobriety but actually wondering what she should do with it (inspired by Lexi's play, of course). Speaking with Elle for Zendaya’s cover story, Levinson revealed that season 3 will be a “film noir.” The plot is under lock and key, but he said it will “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.”
In that light, you can’t blame us for hoping that season 3 shows us the next phase of Rue’s recovery—which hopefully includes a full apology to Jules. Apparently, Zendaya agrees with us. “I think that’s what we need. I think that’s what the world needs,” she added to Entertainment Tonight. “So if you can hold on to that, if you can bear with her through those painful moments, if you can still root for her, then maybe there is some hope at the end.”
Will Zendaya Finally Direct an Episode in Season 3?
Good news: We absolutely think so. In an interview with Vogue Italia, Zendaya said that she almost directed season 2, episode 6, “A Thousand Little Trees of Blood,” but she would have needed more prep time to both act in and direct the episode. “It’s funny,” she said. “I was actually supposed to direct episode 6, but then I had to act in it. I didn’t have enough time, so unfortunately, I wasn’t able to this time around. I wanted to have enough time to do it the right way. So next season probably.” Right now the idea of Zendaya directing a season 3 episode is the only thing helping us stomach the thought of another multiyear break between seasons.
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