Welcome to Cheat Sheet, your go-to source for insights on must-see television shows that your friends can’t stop recommending! In celebration of its much-anticipated comeback after a four-year hiatus, we are delving into the compelling teen and adult drama, Euphoria.
During the summer of 2022, Euphoria’s second season became a cultural phenomenon, captivating viewers aged 16 to 25 and beyond. Created by American showrunner Sam Levinson, this provocative series had already established a loyal fanbase with its visually striking first season, which showcased the turbulent lives of American teenagers grappling with substance use, conflict, and their own striking beauty. Following lead actress Zendaya’s Emmy victory for the inaugural season, Euphoria transcended mere entertainment to become a significant cultural touchstone.
However, cultural trends can be unpredictable. Despite Euphoria being renewed for a third season shortly after the conclusion of its second season in early 2022, fans faced a lengthy wait of four years for the story’s continuation. During this period, an influx of rumors and speculation kept the Euphoria conversation alive.
So, what is Euphoria about? The show, which draws inspiration from a 2012 Israeli series of the same name, channels elements from the iconic British series Skins, which aired from 2007 to 2013. All three series depict a parent’s worst fears: underage youth engaging in drug use, alcohol consumption, sexual activity, violence, and blatant disrespect towards authority figures. Levinson’s rendition of Euphoria modernizes these themes for a social media-savvy audience, reflecting contemporary aesthetics.
The narrative centers on Rue (portrayed by Zendaya), a 16-year-old recovering drug addict grappling with her father’s death. Her closest companions include the sharp-witted head cheerleader Maddy (Alexa Demi), her compliant friend Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), the introverted Kat (Barbie Ferreira), and Cassie’s younger sister Lexi (Maude Apatow, the daughter of director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann). Maddy’s tumultuous relationship with Nate (Australian actor Jacob Elordi), a macho jock, introduces tension, especially given Nate’s secret online flirtation with Jules (Hunter Schafer), a new and ethereal trans girl in town. Jules becomes a romantic interest for Rue as well, leading to a tumultuous relationship that spirals into a series of dramatic events, particularly following Jules’s secret liaison with Nate’s father, Cal Jacobs, which sets off a chain reaction that reverberates through the second season.
Euphoria’s impact has been significant. The initial season, along with two special episodes released before the COVID-19 pandemic, secured a dedicated audience and influenced fashion and makeup trends of the time. Critics praised Zendaya’s performance, while concerned parents reacted strongly to her portrayal of a teen struggling with addiction. By the second season, the show attracted an average of 6.6 million viewers per episode, solidifying its status as HBO’s second most-watched series, trailing only Game of Thrones. The show generated considerable buzz on social media platforms, leading to its swift renewal for a third season.
As the second season unfolded, reports surfaced about cast members expressing dissatisfaction with Levinson’s creative decisions. In a January 2022 interview, Sweeney discussed her desire to reduce the nudity in her scenes. Chloe Cherry, a newcomer in season two, revealed that Levinson initially wanted her to perform a scene completely nude on her first day, which was ultimately reconsidered. Concerns over nudity were echoed by other cast members, fueling speculation about tensions behind the scenes, particularly regarding Barbie Ferreira’s character, whose storyline was perceived as diminished in the second season. Ferreira later announced her departure from the show, citing a mutual decision prompted by creative differences concerning her character’s development.
What caused the significant delay between the second and third seasons? Initially, production for the third season was expected to commence in early 2023 but faced multiple postponements, exacerbated by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Levinson also focused on promoting The Idol, his 2023 project featuring R&B artist The Weeknd, which received mixed reviews and was ultimately canceled. The year proved challenging for Euphoria, marked by the untimely deaths of executive producer Kevin Turen, who passed away from cardiac arrest at age 44, and Angus Cloud, the actor portraying the beloved character Fezco, who died from a drug overdose at just 25.
The first two seasons of Euphoria played a pivotal role in launching the careers of a new generation of Hollywood stars. Prior to the show, Jacob Elordi was primarily known for his role in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth, while Sydney Sweeney had a minor part in a Quentin Tarantino film, Hunter Schafer transitioned from modeling to acting, and Zendaya was still shedding her Disney persona. Now, Elordi is an Oscar nominee, Sweeney has taken on leading roles in major films, and the cast has garnered significant acclaim for their performances.
