‘Euphoria’ Season 3: Everything to Know So Far

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'Euphoria' Season 3: Everything to Know So Far

Only the beginning. Euphoria's season 2 finale introduced many twists and turns that ended with the audience having more questions than answers. Even though the entire season hinted at Fez's (Angus Cloud) potential demise, it was actually his little brother that ended up dying after they were sold out to the police. Instead of allowing Fez to take the blame for his crimes, Ashtray (Javon Walton) locked himself in the bathroom with several guns and died off screen in a shootout with the cops. Following the finale, Walton revealed that the decision to kill Ashtray occurred right before they filmed the episode. "Ashtray wasn’t supposed to get shot. That was another thing. He wasn’t supposed to get shot! It was Fez that was supposed to get shot at first, which is crazy. And then, like a day before, they changed the story line to me getting shot," the Utopia actor told Variety in February 2022. Walton noted that he was satisfied with how his character's conclusion focused on the strong relationship between the adoptive brothers. "Ashtray decided to do his own thing, because he wanted what was best for him in that moment. And that was selfish of him. At the end of the day, he’s a kid, you know? A lot of people see him as this adult, but he’s very vulnerable. And we really see that at the end of the last episode," he said, noting that Fez had the same instincts. "He really just wanted to protect me, and he wanted to die for me." Cloud, for his part, weighed in on his character having to deal with the loss of his younger brother, telling Variety that same month: "He just felt like Ash was so young that he wanted him to still have a chance at living a whole life. They definitely brothers. They raised each other. So it’s like, as close as you can get." The model also revealed that it took "three days" to the film the heavy sequence. "Twelve-hour days. So yeah, it took a long time. All the technicality stuff with the bullets. ... I couldn’t have even expected how full-throttle it was gonna be," he explained.​​​​​​​​​​ "Some of those guys were like, ex-cops and stuff, so they know what they’re doing." Scroll down for everything we know so far about Euphoria season 3: [podcast_block]

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When Will Season 3 Air?

HBO renewed Euphoria for a third season in February 2022 — but didn't offer a premiere date yet. Based on the show's past filming schedule, Euphoria could return in late 2023 or early 2024.

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When Is Filming Set to Start?

During an interview with Variety, Eric Dane confirmed that there were plans to start shooting season 3 in November 2022, adding, "It’s always going to be changing."

Production was ultimately delayed due to the 2023 WGA strike, Levinson’s other project The Idol and Zendaya’s busy schedule. “Euphoria is one of those [shows] that we had begun writing in tandem with post-production on Idol, but at this point, we don’t have countless scripts,” HBO executive Francesca Orsi said to TV Line in May 2023. “We can’t start shooting, so the delivery of that show — ideally in 2025 — will be determined on when we can pick back up with Sam, who at this point is [not writing] and just finishing post on Idol.”

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What Will Season 3 Explore?

The season 2 finale seemingly wrapped up Rue's (Zendaya) journey to reach sobriety, but there is still the question of Laurie (Martha Kelly) coming back for her money.

Maddy (Alexa Demie) and Cassie's (Sydney Sweeney) fight also presented an opportunity for their former friendship to be explored in season 3.

Fez's fate, meanwhile, wasn't addressed when Ashtray accidentally shot him through the wall. 

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Is a Time Jump Set for 'Euphoria' Season 3?

Zendaya hopes the new episodes take viewers past graduation. "I think it’ll be exciting to explore the characters out of high school," she told The Hollywood Reporter when asked about her hopes for the third season in August 2022. "I want to see what Rue looks like in her sobriety journey, how chaotic that might look. But also with all the characters, in the sense where they’re trying to figure out what to do with their lives when high school is over and what kind of people they want to be."

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Will Elliot Return?

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in February 2022, Dominic Fike confirmed that he will "absolutely" be coming back for the third season.

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Where Is Cal's Story Heading?

Nate (Jacob Elordi) may have gotten his father arrested, but Cal's journey isn't over just yet. "There's gonna be redemption. I mean, that's the trajectory he's on," Dane explained to Variety in February 2022. "I can't imagine Cal's life from solitary confinement. It's tough to work Cal into the story line when he's behind bars."

The Grey's Anatomy alum added that he would love to see his character "repair his relationship" with his son.

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Will Fez and Lexi Get Together?

Even though Fez's fate still needs to be addressed, many fans are hoping to see his potential romance with Lexi (Maude Apatow) continue to blossom.

Apatow, for her part, explained that she was onboard with the "innocent and sweet" romance going into season 3, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I think Angus is such a great actor, and we just have so much fun working together. So for selfish reasons, I hope we get to do more scenes together because it's fun.”

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Could Ashtray Return?

“I hope he realizes that drugs isn't the right path for him,” Walton teased of a potential season 3 return to Entertainment Weekly in March 2022. “He needs to just focus on himself cause he's given another chance at life if he is back. So, you know, he needs to make the most of it. He's a 13-year-old boy in the show, you know, he has a lot to live for.”

That August, the Georgia native told E! News that he had "no clue" if his character would make a comeback. "And I'm not just saying that. With Euphoria, it's pretty random, and if I do end up coming back, I'll probably know last second that I am." 

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Will Zendaya Direct?

The Spiderman: No Way Home star told Vogue Italia in July that she “was supposed to direct episode 6” of season 2 but ultimately didn’t have enough time.

"Next season, probably," she revealed when asked whether season 3 of the HBO show would feature her directorial debut.

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Who Isn't Returning?

In August 2022, Barbie Ferreira revealed she would not be appearing in season 3 of the HBO Max series. 

“After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I’m having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye,” the Unpregnant actress, who portrays Kat Hernandez on the first two installments of the show, wrote via her Instagram Story. “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.”

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How Top-Secret Are the Season 3 Details?

Nika King, who plays Rue's mom Leslie, exclusively told Us Weekly that she was not able to dish anything specific — but she teased that it's going to be a good season.

"Woah girl, you trying to get me fired," King joked to Us in September 2022. "No, girl. I can't tease. Ain't no teasing. But it's gonna be an amazing season 3. I mean I think every character has more life to them and Sam is going to bring those characters to life, and I just can't wait to see what he cooks up."