‘Euphoria’ Future Uncertain After HBO Postpones Season 3

Topline

Filming for the much-delayed third season of HBO’s “Euphoria” has been postponed indefinitely, making the future of the series uncertain as several of its stars have become increasingly busy with their film careers.

The planned third season of “Euphoria” has already suffered delays. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic … [+] for HBO)

Getty Images for HBO

Key Facts

HBO announced production on “Euphoria” season three would be postponed indefinitely, though the network said it is still “committed to making an exceptional third season.”

Variety reported scripts for season three are still being written.

HBO said it is “allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities” while production on “Euphoria” is postponed, likely a nod to how many members of its star-studded cast—including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi—have booked major film roles since starring in the series.

The postponement will make the already lengthy gap between seasons even longer: Season 1 aired in 2019, while season 2 premiered in 2022.

Key Background

“Euphoria” has suffered multiple production delays and other roadblocks, complicating the show’s increasingly uncertain future. The third season was once set to begin filming in late 2023, according to a Vogue profile of “Euphoria” star Maude Apatow, though production was pushed following the writers’ and actors’ strikes and the unexpected death of cast member Angus Cloud in July 2023. Reports have also suggested some behind-the-scenes drama during the production of season two, such as creator Sam Levinson allegedly showing up to set without having planned out shots, and star Barbie Ferreira clashing with Levinson over the direction of her character before ultimately dropping out of the show.

Tangent

During the lengthy “Euphoria” production gaps, several of its actors have developed successful film careers, potentially complicating the ability for their schedules to line up to film a third season. Zendaya, who has won two Emmy Awards for her lead role as Rue, has starred in both “Dune” films, several “Spider-Man” films and the upcoming film “Challengers.” Sweeney has starred in several recent theatrical releases—hit romantic comedy “Anyone But You,” critically derided “Madame Web” and horror film “Immaculate.” She is also due to star in the upcoming thriller films “Echo Valley” and “Eden.” Elordi recently starred in the viral hit “Saltburn” and “Priscilla” and will appear in Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” as well as upcoming films “Oh, Canada” and “On Swift Horses.” Colman Domingo, who won an Emmy for “Euphoria,” was recently nominated for an Oscar for his role in “Rustin” and is set to appear in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, which reportedly began filming earlier this year.

Surprising Fact

Though “Euphoria” is set in a high school, many of the actors are now in their late 20s. Some viewers have ridiculed the lengthy period of time between each “Euphoria” season because of how much the actors have aged. Elordi addressed these concerns in an interview with Jimmy Fallon in January, joking that he hopes filming is “soon, or they’re going to have to Benjamin Button me or something.” He said he assumes the third season may jump forward in time, “otherwise, it’s going to seem like a weird bit.” The show’s costume designer, Heidi Bivens, told Vogue last year “there is talk of it being approximately five years in the future, and that they’re not in high school anymore.”

What We Don’t Know

When the third season of “Euphoria” will begin filming, or when it will premiere. HBO’s head of drama Francesca Orsi said last year “Euphoria” likely would not return until 2025.