Entertainment

Are we still waiting for Euphoria season 3 after years of silence?

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It has been years since Euphoria was the regular Sunday ritual. At the beginning of 2022, everyone was still eagerly waiting for a new episode every week; then it went quiet. Very quiet. Pieces of season 2 have lingered (Rue, a suitcase, a lot of chaos), but the bigger picture has faded for many. That is about to change. Season 3 premieres on April 13 and promises something entirely new. The when is clear, now it's time for the four remaining classic questions: why, who, how, and where.

Why has season 3 taken so long to arrive?

The long wait is hard to ignore. Euphoria grew into one of HBO's biggest titles after two seasons, even the second most-watched series since 2004, right after Game of Thrones. With that massive success comes the automatic question of why a sequel took so long to materialize.

The explanation lies in a number of factors. The aftermath of the pandemic caused delays upon delays in the production process. Additionally, the writing of the script was put on hold due to the writers’ strike. Originally, a 2023 release was aimed for, later it became 2024, and now here we are.

Who will we see back on screen?

The third season brings a mix of familiar faces and newcomers. Zendaya returns as Rue Bennett, a role that has already earned her two Emmy Awards. Also returning are Hunter Schafer (Jules), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Alexa Demie (Maddy), Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Maude Apatow (Lexi), Storm Reid (Gia), Colman Domingo (Ali), and Dominic Fike (Elliot).

On the other hand, there is a long list of new names. Among others, Rosalía, Sharon Stone, Marshawn Lynch, Asante Blackk, and Toby Wallace. Later, Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, Danielle Deadwyler, and Trisha Paytas were also announced, along with Sam Trammell and Madison Thompson.

At the same time, we absolutely cannot forget the absentees. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat, already said goodbye to Euphoria via Instagram in 2022. Additionally, the passing of Angus Cloud, known as drug dealer Fez, is a significant loss. His character was one of the most beloved in the series. We still know nothing about how the gaps left by Kat and Fez will be filled.

How awesome will season 3 of Euphoria be?

The series moves away from East Highland High School, where mini-skirts and pills seem to be the norm, and opts for a more adult setting. The creators do this with a significant time jump. Costume designer Heidi Bivens previously indicated that the story may take place five years later, something that the trailer seems to confirm.

This shift also affects the atmosphere. While earlier seasons primarily revolved around experimenting and pushing boundaries (and then going hard over them), season 3 seems to focus more on what happens afterward. Because choices have consequences, even in Euphoria.

Visually, the series thankfully remains true to what it does so well, but everything looks even darker and more intense. The combination of an adult setting and heavier themes could make the third season something entirely new.

Where did season 2 end again?

Season two ended with a lot of loose ends. And although much has faded: the confrontation between Cassie and Maddy during Lexi's play is unforgettable. Meanwhile, Rue seems to be doing the unexpected and cautiously heading in the right direction. Small steps towards something that looks like recovery. On the other hand, Nate causes damage once again. He reports his father Cal to the police and hands over certain videos. The end of season two left so much to the imagination that we are really in for a few good weeks of TV.

Something entirely new then: new setting, new cast, new everything. What remains is the intensity that Euphoria is known for, only in a more adult form. How far the series will go in that regard remains to be seen. There is cautiously talk of a fourth season, but that is anything but certain for now. First April. Then it will be clear whether the new was worth the wait.