Euphoria has delayed filming again because the creator of the show, Sam Levinson, has not yet finished the script for season three. The first season premiered in June 2019 and then the second season premiered in January 2022, so there would be a three-year gap from when the new season is expected to be released in 2025.
The show is popular among young adults, is highly praised by critics, has won nine Emmys and carved a path to a more respected side of Hollywood for some actors. However, HBO has decided to press pause on Euphoria’s production until Levinson finishes the script. The show has already faced previous delays around having to unexpectedly write off characters, the Writers Guild of America strike during 2023 and pressure on Levinson to make a good show. Even if Euphoria is one of HBO’s most successful shows, too many delays and barriers can sever the possibility of starting filming season three.
Sydney Sweeny, who plays Cassie Howard’s character, revealed in a profile with GQ Magazine that she will begin filming Euphoria this year. However, new information revealed that the show would be delayed indefinitely. HBO said in a statement that they’re still going to “remain committed to making an exceptional third season” to give Levinson more time to perfect the script.
I’m sure the script has been difficult to produce. There’s a lot of weight on Levinson to make a good show after his most recent production, The Idol, fell significantly short of its expectations. What I’m most curious about the script is how Levinson plans to write off Barbie Ferreira’s character, Kat Hernandez. In season two, her character got very little screen time compared to her costars and it almost felt like her character wasn’t part of the second season. Shortly after season two was fully released, Ferreira and Levinson agreed that her character would not return to the show.
There were also unforeseen circumstances that caused the show’s delay. For almost five months in 2023, the WGA went on strike over financial conflicts and writers not being paid enough. This caused shows and movies to pause or cancel their entire productions. It’s difficult to make a living in the film industry, even for the actors unable to work during that time.
Nika King, who plays Leslie Bennett in Euphoria, joked during a standup comedy show that she hopes filming begins again soon because she has bills to pay.
“People are like, ‘We need season three,’ and I’m like, I need season three. I haven’t paid my rent in six months,” King said.
She then opened about how the show didn’t boost her career like she was hoping.
Actors on Euphoria love to poke fun at how long it’s taking to start filming. In November 2023, during a Jimmy Fallon interview, Jacob Elordi, who plays Nate Jacobs, joked about how the creators would have to reverse his age at the pace it’s taking to begin filming again.
“I might have a bad back walking down the hallway, you know,” he said.
This is another reason this show might not see further production. Actors like Zendaya, Elordi and Sweeney have all grown immensely in the film industry since Euphoria first premiered. They are high-demand actors who may choose to pursue other projects if it boosts their reputation in Hollywood. All these people have taken on other projects in the meantime, it’s only time before an important character decides to prioritize their burgeoning film careers over continuing to wait for this show.
The future of Euphoria lies in Levinson’s hands, but if these delays continue, I don’t think the show will continue filming and will be cancelled indefinitely. Which I wouldn’t be entirely upset about at this point because it feels extremely unnecessary moving forward with this project. I would rather leave Euphoria where it’s at, rather than risk watching a show with many plot holes and ruined character arcs. I’m worried about watching a show that has so much pressure to make an amazing script and be disappointed with the outcome. Especially when you have to wait three, or even more, years for another eight short-lived episodes. I don’t think Levinson is going to create a cohesive script he’s proud of, and they will continue postponing the season until it’s eventually cancelled.
Alyssa Johnson can be reached at [email protected]