Zendaya returns in ‘Euphoria’ season 3 first look, production finally begins

HBO has at long last dropped a first look at season 3 of Euphoria, three years after the celebrated teen drama was renewed.

Emmy winner Zendaya returns as recovering drug addict Rue Bennett, who somberly gazes over her shoulder in a darkened room in the photo (above) shared Monday. Disputing rumors of a cancellation late last year, HBO confirmed that production for season 3 would begin in early 2025 with the same principal cast set to return.

Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Nika King, Eric Dane, the late Angus Cloud, Algee Smith, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Barbie Ferreira, Maude Apatow, Javon Walton, Dominic Fike, Storm Reid, and Austin Abrams starred as series regulars last season.

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Both Reid, who played Rue’s younger sister Gia, and Ferreira, who played fellow student Kat Hernandez, have confirmed they would not return for season 3. Cloud, who played the beloved Fezco, died July 2023 at the age of 25 from an accidental drug overdose. It’s unclear how or if the season will address the absence.

As for the synopsis, series creator Sam Levinson previously described season 3 as a “film noir,” and, through Rue, would “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.” Zendaya also confirmed to Entertainment Weekly last year that it would feature a time jump. “It’s important because there’s only so much high school drama you can deal with,” she said.

“It will be fascinating to see and understand these characters outside of the context of high school, and how all the stuff that we saw when they were kids affects the adulthood they have and who they become in a much bigger world,” added the star and executive producer, who at the time said she was also in the dark in terms of plot. “I’ll be interested to see what happens too.”

The first season premiered in 2019 and catapulted much of its actors to superstardom. An adaptation of an Israeli show of the same name, Euphoria introduced Zendaya’s recovering teenage drug addict Rue fresh out of rehab and those in her obit, including the free-spirited Jules (Schafer) and volatile jock Nate (Elordi). The series has won nine Emmys, including two Outstanding Lead Actress awards for Zendaya.

“Sam, Zendaya, and the entire cast and crew of Euphoria have taken season 2 to extraordinary heights, challenging narrative convention and form while maintaining its heart,” said Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming, in a statement. “We couldn’t be more honored to work with this gifted, wildly talented team or more excited to continue our journey with them into season 3.“