Sam Levinson Says 'Euphoria' Season 3 Is a Film Noir
This story contains spoilers for the Season Two finale of Euphoria.
Sam Levinson has big plans for Euphoria. In an interview with Elle, for Zendaya’s latest cover story, the series creator revealed that Season Three of the popular HBO show will be a “film noir.” The plot is under lock and key, but Levinson says it will “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.”
If you’ve ever seen Euphoria, you know that can mean just about anything. The show, which premiered in 2019, follows Rue (Zendaya), a teenager struggling with addiction. Each season is full of complex characters making murky decisions in a world fueled by temptation. Nothing new! Perhaps Levinson’s hint means Season Three will raise the stakes even further. If that’s the case, what could happen next?
When we left Euphoria Season One, there was no doubt that the focus was on Rue and Rue alone. But in Season Two's finale, nearly every character's arc crashes to some kind of end, as jarring as a Euphoria needle drop when you least expect it. Here's another tidbit: fresh off a Creative Arts Emmy win for his role as Ali, Esquire favorite Colman Domingo teased the future of the series. “Sam Levinson and I had some really deep conversations as of last weekend actually,” Domingo told Deadline. "Here he’s talking about the arcs of all the characters and what he wants to do to expand that, to actually re-examine at times. It’s an organism and he wants it to keep shifting it in many ways and I think he’s going to take some really big swings actually with Season Three."
Here's everything we know about the future of Euphoria so far.
When Will Euphoria Return?
In early February, Variety reported that HBO renewed Euphoria for a third season. Unfortunately, the news didn't come with an ETA on its release date. Now, with the writers and actors strike in place, production has been stalled, and the premiere will likely be pushed even further. Depending on when contracts are finalized, we could either be in for more bridge episodes—a la Rue and Ali's hour-long diner conversation—or a third season sometime in the future.
Either way, here's what Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO Programming, wrote in her announcement of Euphoria's renewal: “Sam, Zendaya, and the entire cast and crew of Euphoria have taken Season Two to extraordinary heights, challenging narrative convention and form, while maintaining its heart. 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 Three."
Will Zendaya Finally Direct an Episode in Euphoria Season Three?
Good news: we absolutely think so. In an interview with Vogue Italia, Zendaya said that she almost directed Season Two, Episode Six, "A Thousand Little Trees of Blood," but she didn't have enough time to prep for both acting in and directing the episode. "It's funny," she said. "I was actually supposed to direct Episode Six, but then I had to act in it. I didn't have enough time, so unfortunately, I wasn't able to this time around. I wanted to have enough time to do it the right way. So, next season probably."
Well, the idea of Zendaya directing a Season Three episode is the only thing helping us stomach the thought of another multi-year break between seasons.
Who Will Be in Euphoria Season Three?
Barbie Ferreira, who plays Kat, announced via Instagram that she will not return to Euphoria for the new season. Kat first stole viewers' hearts in Season One as a body-conscious teen who was just beginning to embrace her sexuality. In Season Two, she was mostly on the sidelines, with Euphoria focusing being on her relationship with her boyfriend Ethan (Austin Abrams) and most recently, her friendship with Maddy. Kat's reduced storyline even sparked rumors that Ferreira herself was unhappy with Euphoria. Regardless, Kat's story comes to an end as Ferreira says goodbye.
"After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I’m having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye," Ferreira wrote on Instagram. "I hope many of you could see yourself in her like I did and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today. I put all my care and love into her and I hope you guys could feel it. Love you Katherine Hernandez."
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how Levinson will say goodbye to the beloved Angus Cloud, who died this July. The fate of Cloud's character, Fez, is unclear, but we're hoping Euphoria gives him an honorable exit.
What's in Store For Euphoria High in Season Three?
Let's start with one of the finale's best developments: Rue in recovery. During the course of the episode, we learn that Rue is not only maintaining her sobriety but actually wondering what she should do with it. (Inspired by Lexi's play, of course.) In that light, you can't blame us for hoping that Season Three shows us the next phase of Rue's recovery—which hopefully includes a full apology to Jules. Apparently, Zendaya agrees with us. "I think that's what we need. I think that's what the world needs," Zendaya added to Entertainment Tonight. "So, if you can hold onto that, if you can bear with her through those painful moments, if you can still root for her, then maybe there is some hope at the end."
What about the rest of the Euphoria crew? A few days before Euphoria's season finale, Elliot—or Dominic Fike, as he's known in real life—appeared on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. When Fallon asked Fike whether or not Elliot would return to Euphoria next season, he said that he'd "absolutely" be back. So we can safely rule out Elliot transferring out of Euphoria High after Season Two's dramatics, especially because his apology song to Rue seemed genuine. We hope that Rue and Elliot find some way to work through the bad for each other thing and become friends again.
You Might Also Like
