‘Euphoria’ season three: The sex, drugs and violence are back

Many fans were asking if the show would ever return. Four years since we last saw this high-powered, high-strung teen drama, the long-awaited third season of “Euphoria” has now launched on the streaming service HBO Max (or Sky/Wow in some markets).

A lot has happened since season two. Several cast members have become major stars, notably Zendaya (“Dune”), Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein”) and Sydney Sweeney (“The Housemaid”). Two “Euphoria” actors, Eric Dane and Angus Cloud, have even died.

Sam Levinson’s “Euphoria” – an adaptation of an Israeli miniseries of the same name – has drawn attention for its depiction of teen sex, drug use, violence and nudity.

Broadly speaking, it focuses on the problems of high school pupils in the US. It tackles topics such as friendship, sexuality, drugs and growing up but also trauma and psychological and physical violence. The first episodes aired in 2019 and season two followed in 2022.

At the centre is the drug-addicted Rue (Zendaya), who returns to her everyday life after rehab but is repeatedly pulled back by addiction, relapses and mental health problems. She befriends her classmate Jules (Hunter Schafer), who is trans and bisexual.

Alongside Rue, the story is also told through characters such as Nate (Elordi), a popular, toxically masculine American football player with anger and violence issues. He begins an affair with Cassie (Sweeney), who is looking for love and validation from men.

When can the new episodes be seen?

A new episode is set to be released each week from April 12 (or April 13 in some markets outside the US). Anyone who wants to watch all eight episodes in one go will have to wait until May 31 – when the final episode airs. “Euphoria” is among HBO’s most-watched series.

What sets “Euphoria” apart from other coming-of-age series?

One thing is clear: the series is among the most polarizing from the last decade. After the season two finale, the Guardian pondered how “Euphoria” could become the most loved and at the same time the most hated series on television.

The bold visuals, distinctive, extravagant fashion and emotionally powerful scenes that lend themselves perfectly to memes all struck a chord with fans.

At the same time, there are those who say the show is trying too hard to provoke and stir controversy, which they say causes it to lose depth in terms of content.

“Euphoria” also stands out for its distinctive aesthetic, including the atmospheric soundtrack by British musician Labrinth in the first two seasons, a mix of pop and electronic sounds.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that the music, lighting and narrative structure are less about portraying teenagers’ lives realistically than about capturing the rapid mood swings of youth.

It is also unusual for a coming-of-age series to deal so explicitly with drug addiction and sex. In one episode from the first season, as many as 30 penises can be counted. Some critics say that this staging sexualizes the characters too strongly, perhaps even with a “male gaze”.

What happens next in season three?

Four years have passed since the end of season two in 2022 and the main cast have grown older. The plot of season three makes a five-year time jump, and Rue and her former classmates Cassie, Nate, Jules, Lexi and Maddy are now trying to get by as young adults.

Rue is again getting into trouble with criminals and owes her former drug dealer a lot of money. Cassie and Nate are – to the surprise of many fans after their split at the end of season two – engaged and planning their wedding. Cassie also wants to become famous with an erotic online presence.

Which actors are back – and who is missing?

Alongside two-time Emmy winner Zendaya, as well as Elordi and Sweeney, Hunter Schafer and Colman Domingo are returning to their roles. Alexa Demie (Maddy) and Maude Apatow (Lexi) are also back.

Eric Dane can also be seen in his role as Nate’s father Cal. Dane (“Grey’s Anatomy”) died in February at the age of 53. He suffered from the incurable disease ALS but still appeared in “Euphoria”. He is not the only actor from the cast to have died.

Angus Cloud, 25, who played the likeable drug dealer Fezco in the first two seasons, died in 2023 from an accidental overdose of drugs and medication.

There are also prominent new additions: Hollywood star Sharon Stone (“Basic Instinct”) and Spanish singer Rosalía are taking on roles.

Why did it take so long for season three to be finished?

This long delay of season three was addressed by series creator Levinson at the premiere in Los Angeles. Deadline reported that Levinson cited obvious factors including the months-long strike by screenwriters and actors in the US in 2023. He also said it had been difficult to put together a filming schedule given the stars’ packed diaries.

He said he spent most of the time, in light of deaths in the cast and also the producer Kevin Turen, trying to find a way to pay tribute “to those we have lost.”

Levinson told the New York Times about Cloud: “Losing him made me sit down and think, what story do I really want to tell? What matters in life? And through the soul-searching of that, season three began to crystallize.”