HBO has unveiled the first images for the highly anticipated third season of “Euphoria,” set to air in April 2026. This latest installment introduces a significant time jump, moving forward five years from the dramatic events of the second season. The main cast, now stepping into adulthood, is depicted grappling with their new realities.
The series will continue to follow Rue, played by Zendaya, who finds herself in Mexico, burdened by debt to the drug dealer Laurie, portrayed by Martha Kelly. Creator Sam Levinson revealed that Rue will go to great lengths to find creative ways to settle her financial obligations.
In the latest photographs shared on Instagram, fans get a glimpse of Cassie, played by Sydney Sweeney, and Nate, played by Jacob Elordi. The couple is engaged and on the brink of marriage, although Cassie is depicted as struggling with her social media addiction and feelings of envy toward the seemingly glamorous lives of her former classmates as they navigate suburban life. Notably, Cassie states she has “never ever been happier.”
Meanwhile, Hunter Schafer’s character Jules is depicted as an art student, wrestling with the pressures of establishing a career as a painter while trying to sidestep adult responsibilities. Alexa Demi’s Maddie has transitioned to working at a Hollywood talent agency while also pursuing various side projects. Maude Apatow’s Lexi is in a new role as a showrunner’s assistant, working alongside new cast member Sharon Stone.
Levinson emphasized that the new season explores life beyond the familiar confines of high school, stating, “The one thing we all agreed on is we can’t go back to high school.” He asserted that the jump to five years later reflects a natural progression for characters who have recently graduated college.
The upcoming season will feature several new cast members, including Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, Natasha Lyonne, and Rosalía, among others. Returning favorites include Eric Dane, Chloe Cherry, Dominic Fike, Nika King, and Colman Domingo. However, fans will notice the absence of Storm Reid, Austin Abrams, and Javon Walton, and the series is still coping with the loss of Angus Cloud, who portrayed the beloved character Fezco and passed away in July 2023.
The return of “Euphoria” has been long-awaited, with more than four years passing since the premiere of the second season. Factors contributing to this hiatus include scheduling conflicts among the cast, Levinson’s work on HBO’s “The Idol,” and complexities within the relationship between Levinson and star Zendaya, as explored in a recent cover story by The Hollywood Reporter. The series, which first graced screens in 2018, has garnered a dedicated following, eagerly anticipating the evolution of its characters as they step into the complexities of adulthood.
