On Sunday, April 12, the first episode for Season 3 of “Euphoria” was released on HBO Max. Season 2 of “Euphoria” was concluded in 2022, and its 2025 Season 3 release was anticipated by fans thereafter However, due to a plethora of tragedies, the show’s production was delayed. Sam Levinson, Euphoria’s” director, pivoted away from his original idea for Season 3 of the show and shifted towards a new idea. 

“Euphoria” is characterized as a Romance Drama which follows the troubled life of 17-year-old named Rue, a drug addict, freshly released from rehab. The show orbits around her friends and fellow classmates, exploring themes of teenage-landscape and substance use. 

Season 2 of “Euphoria” concluded on a relatively positive note, taking in account the notoriously dark themes and moments seen in the show. Rue ended up becoming sober and making amends with some friends, however she faced a period of loneliness after the collapse of her relationship with her ex-girlfriend Jules. Season 3, had intended to pick up after this, but due to the unfortunate deaths of actors, Angus Cloud and Eric Dane, the show was forced to deviate away from its original plans. 

Levinson expressed in an interview with Variety how the death of Angus Cloud touched him deeply due the close relationship the two had developed through working on the show together. Cloud played Fezco in ‘Euphoria, a drug dealer and friend of Rue’s. However Cloud passed due to an accidental overdose after battling through sobriety. Levinson mentioned in his interview how he’d helped Cloud through sobriety and his passing was a tough loss for him and the entire cast and crew of “Euphoria. 

Eric Dane played Cal Jacobs, the dad of Nate Jacobs, in “Euphoria” and was a crucial component in the show’s first season. Dane was diagnosed with ALS while shooting Season 3 of the show and unfortunately passed shortly after the filming was concluded. 

While the emotional impact of the two losses on the show impacted production, there were other external factors that impacted the show’s filming. Due to the 2003 WGA and SAG–AFTRA strikes (The Hollywood Strikes), there was a halt to production and script writing. 

Another issue was the growing popularity of the actors. Zendaya, Jacob Elordie, and Sydney Sweeny grew to reach “A–List” celebrity status during the show’s development and coordinating filming time became difficult as the stars were all working on other large works simultaneously. As a result of the multiple conflicts with the show, producer Levinson explained that he rewrote the Season 3 script multiple times in an attempt to accommodate for the time jump and loss of critical characters. 

Now, after the release of the first episode of Season 3, the internet is divided on the “rebooted” feeling that the show contains. Some believe that the show feels like it had a bold reset, while others say the script feels messy. A main worry that fans have expressed is the shaky script that Zendaya, playing main character Rue,  has to work with. Another common topic that had been discussed online was the delusional nature of Casey’s character, played by Sydney Sweeny, who is attempting to become internet famous to pay for her wedding with Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi. 

To make up for the loss of Angus Cloud, his character Fezco has been arrested. Fans agree that this was the most mindful way of removing his character from the show, but that the show will not be the same without him. 

While the show’s script and unfolding plot have had conflicted reviews, everyone has agreed that Zendaya’s performance in the first episode was praise worthy. Many are saying that Zendaya’s acting keeps the show grounded, through her ability to connect with the audience and portray Rue well. 

The next episode of Euphoria will be released on Sunday, April 25!