Yahoo Lifestyle “It’s Hard To Talk About”: Hunter Schafer Opened Up About The “Tough” Prospect Of Returning For “Euphoria” Season 3
Content Warning: This post briefly discusses an accidental drug overdose.
Hunter Schafer has mixed feelings about the prospect of returning to make Season 3 of Euphoria.
As I’m sure you know, Hunter got her big break playing Jules on HBO’s Euphoria, starring alongside the likes of Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and Alexa Demie.
Season 2 of Euphoria aired in early 2022, and despite its immense popularity, it’s been unclear for a while whether or not the show will ever return for its previously confirmed third season.
From alleged feuds and strike delays to tragic deaths and allegations of a “toxic” environment on set, a lot has happened to bring the show’s future into question repeatedly.
And, as the core cast members’ careers have continued to flourish away from the beloved high school drama, Euphoria’s creator, Sam Levinson, has only found himself at the center of more controversy.
While Season 2 aired, Sam — the show’s sole writer — was criticized for the episodes’ confusing plotlines and excessive onscreen nudity. After the finale, the Daily Beast published a report about the allegedly “toxic” and “disorganized” environment on set, questioning Sam’s seemingly chaotic creative process.
A year later, Sam landed himself in hot water over his second HBO project, The Idol, which faced widespread criticism for its “misogynistic” storylines. Insiders also condemned the behind-the-scenes environment on the show, with Rolling Stone publishing a scathing exposé alleging that Sam’s production was a “shitshow.”
Most notably, in July 2023, the show’s cast and crew were rocked by the sudden death of Angus Cloud, who played the beloved character Fezco.
At age 25, Angus died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs. His death came as he was mourning the loss of his father, who passed away a few months earlier.
Now, speaking on the latest episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Hunter got seriously emotional while discussing the future of Euphoria following Angus’s death.
“Here’s the real tea. A lot has happened… It’s hard to talk about,” she said when host Alex Cooper asked about the status of Season 3. “We’ve had deaths… I’m going to get emotional,” she said, struggling to hold back her tears.
Confessing that she and her fellow castmates have “no fucking idea what’s going on” with the series, she said: “I think everyone feels a certain sense of anticipation for if we are supposed to do Season 3.”
Angus’s death was not the only loss for the Euphoria cast and crew. In November 2023, Kevin Turen, who produced the show alongside Sam, died suddenly from multiple heart issues.
“Obviously, I’m still coming to qualms with what’s happened — losing people that we really loved and were a part of this family,” Hunter said, referring to Angus and Kevin. “If we do go back, that’s going to be tough.”
“I mean, I think there’s a world in which we can channel that into making it a beautiful Season 3 if it is supposed to happen, but that shit really threw everyone through a loop,” she continued.
Hunter referenced other “industry political” reasons for the delay in starting production on Season 3 but also said the grief they’re all experiencing is “emotionally a big part of what’s happening, too.”
Hunter’s comments come just two weeks after the Hollywood Reporter published an article detailing the alleged fallout between Sam Levinson and Zendaya, which is said to have played a part in the Season 3 delay.
Zendaya — who is also an executive producer on the show — apparently had concerns about the fact that Sam was focusing his time and energy on The Idol instead of Euphoria Season 3. According to the report, their relationship soured even more when Sam was embroiled in controversy over The Idol. “Her image is pristine,” an anonymous executive told the outlet. “And fans were turning against Sam.”
Amid their purported “creative issues,” Sam’s close friends allegedly blamed Zendaya for focusing on her film career. “It was all about her,” an anonymous source said of Z. “Everybody wanted to make it about Sam, but it was her.”
Sam and Zendaya are now apparently healing their relationship and working together to develop new ideas for Euphoria’s future. In July, HBO confirmed that Season 3 will start production in January 2025 — although whether that actually happens remains to be seen.
You can find Hunter’s full interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast here.
Here’s What Reportedly Went Down Between Zendaya And Sam LevinsonEllen Durney · July 24, 2024
"Euphoria" Star Angus Cloud Has Died At 25Joseph Longo · July 31, 2023
Season 3 Of “Euphoria” Will Apparently Begin Shooting Very Soon, And Here’s What Sydney Sweeney Had To Say About Going “Home” To Her “Family”Ellen Durney · March 13, 2024
