Euphoria Season 3: Release, Cast, Plot & Everything We Know

Get ready, Euphoria fans! After a long, agonizing wait, Season 3 is officially on its way, promising a dramatic time jump, a massive influx of new talent, and some seriously dark, "film noir" twists. We've got all the latest intel on what to expect!

TL;DR for Euphoria Season 3:

Euphoria Season 3 is finally in production and set for a Spring 2026 release on HBO, bringing the characters into adulthood with a significant time jump.
The cast, including Jacob Elordi, is sworn to secrecy, with scripts so redacted they're like "JFK files," meaning even they'll be watching as fans!
Expect a "darker," "clever and cinematic" season with an expanded cast, featuring returning favorites like Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, alongside new stars like Sharon Stone, Rosalía, Natasha Lyonne, and Eli Roth.

Euphoria Season 3 is Officially Happening and Production is Underway

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It's been a minute since we last saw Rue, Nate, Maddy, Cassie, and Jules navigating the intense world of East Highland High. Nearly three years after the Season 2 finale, Euphoria Season 3 officially went into production in Los Angeles in February 2025. This highly anticipated season is slated to hit HBO in Spring 2026, finally bringing an end to the long hiatus.

The journey to Season 3 hasn't been without its bumps. Delays stemmed from the 2023 Hollywood strikes, showrunner Sam Levinson's work on other projects like The Idol, and the tragic passing of beloved cast member Angus Cloud. But now, with filming in full swing, the buzz is palpable, and the details emerging are nothing short of wild!

The Euphoria Season 3 Script Secrecy is on "JFK Files" Level

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If you're hoping for plot leaks, you might be out of luck. HBO and Sam Levinson are keeping Season 3's storylines under wraps like Fort Knox, or as Jacob Elordi (Nate Jacobs) dramatically put it, "like the JFK files." He revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he's only seen his own character's scenes, and even those are heavily redacted.

"I only know my part in the season, because the whole thing is like the JFK files. It's all redacted. You can't read the real script."

— Jacob Elordi on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Elordi even teased a cryptic phrase for his character's arc: "white fritillaries." What does that mean? He admitted even he has "no idea" (for the record, it's a type of flower, which could mean anything from a subtle symbolic clue to a complete misdirection!). This extreme secrecy means that, like us, even the actors will experience much of the season as fans, which Elordi says he's "really excited" about.

Who's Returning and All the Exciting New Faces Joining Euphoria Season 3

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Despite the long break and the rising star power of its cast, many of your favorites are indeed coming back! Get ready to see the continuation of their stories (in adulthood, no less!).

Familiar Faces Back for More Drama:

Zendaya as Rue Bennett
Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs
Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard
Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn
Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez
Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard
Colman Domingo as Ali
Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs
Martha Kelly as Laurie
Chloe Cherry as Faye
Dominic Fike as Elliot
Kika King

Major New Talent Joining the Euphoria Universe:

Prepare for a massive expansion of the Euphoria world! Season 3 is bringing in a staggering number of new actors, adding fresh dynamics to the already complex narrative. Among the most exciting additions are:

Danielle Deadwyler (Till, The Piano Lesson)
Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black, Russian Doll)
Eli Roth (Hostel creator/star)
Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct)
Rosalía (Grammy-winning singer)
Trisha Paytas (YouTuber/internet personality)
Colleen Camp (American Hustle, Apocalypse Now)

And if that wasn't enough, the cast also includes: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Marshawn Lynch, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Kadeem Hardison, Priscilla Delgado, James Landry Hébert, Anna Van Patten, Asante Blackk, Kwame Patterson, Madison Thompson, Sam Trammell, Rebecca Pidgeon, Matthew Willig, Cailyn Rice, Bella Podaras, Gideon Adlon, Jessica Blair Herman, Bill Bodner, Jack Topalian, Hemky Madera, and Homer Gere (Richard Gere's son).

Who Won't Be Returning for Euphoria Season 3?

Sadly, not everyone is coming back. We know that Angus Cloud, who played the fan-favorite drug dealer Fezco, tragically passed away after Season 2, leaving a significant void and an unresolved cliff-hanger for his character. Additionally, Storm Reid (who played Rue's sister, Gia) confirmed she isn't returning, and Barbie Ferreira (Kat Hernandez) announced her departure in August 2022 amidst rumors of creative differences and a reportedly toxic atmosphere on set.

A Darker, Grown-Up World: Life Beyond East Highland High School

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The biggest confirmed change for Euphoria Season 3 is a significant time jump, moving the characters out of high school and into adulthood. Zendaya, who also serves as a co-producer, has expressed her excitement about this evolution, noting that she "can't play a teenager for the rest of my life." She's looking forward to seeing "how all the stuff that we saw when they were kids and they were in high school affects the kind of adulthood they have and who they become in a much bigger world."

Creator Sam Levinson promises a "very dark" third season, describing it as a "film noir." This suggests a gritty, perhaps morally ambiguous tone, filled with the "sex scenes, betrayals, tears, arguments, and shocking twists, including police raids and gunfire" that fans have come to associate with the show. This darker vision contrasts with the hopeful ending of Season 2, where Rue seemed to be on the path to sobriety. Now, she'll be navigating adulthood as an "individual with principles in a corrupt world," as Zendaya describes her character.

For Nate Jacobs, Jacob Elordi found playing his new storyline "incredibly liberating," hinting at a significant departure from his high school jock persona. Given he ended Season 2 by turning his father over to the police, his adult life promises to be anything but simple. And the fallout from Cassie and Maddy's toxic love triangle with Nate is surely going to explode in this new, mature setting.

Behind the Scenes: Huge Budget and a Legendary Composer

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The scale of Euphoria Season 3 is reportedly massive. Sources suggest the season costs an astounding $110 million to produce, with each of its eight episodes requiring a full month of filming. This kind of investment speaks volumes about HBO's commitment to delivering a truly cinematic experience.

Zendaya Makes History with Her Euphoria Season 3 Salary

Leading the charge, Zendaya has renegotiated her contract, securing an incredible $1 million per episode. This groundbreaking deal makes her the youngest highest-paid Black actress in television history, a monumental achievement that also comes with her role as co-producer on the series. Her salary puts her in the league of the cast of Friends in their final seasons and the lead actors of Game of Thrones, cementing her status as a true Hollywood powerhouse.

Hans Zimmer Joins the Musical Team for Euphoria Season 3

In a thrilling development for fans of the show's iconic soundscape, legendary composer Hans Zimmer (known for Dune, Inception, The Lion King) will be joining Labrinth to compose the original soundtrack for Season 3. Zimmer expressed his excitement:

"It's an honor to join this incredible team of storytellers led by the visionary Sam Levinson. Together, they have crafted such a bold and moving series that has meant so much to audiences. Labrinth's music has shaped the show's identity and I'm looking forward to contributing to the ongoing story and helping shape this new season through music."

— Hans Zimmer via Instagram

This collaboration promises to elevate the already distinctive musical and visual aesthetic of Euphoria, creating an even more immersive experience for viewers.

Why the Long Wait for Euphoria Season 3?

Four years is a significant gap between seasons, even for a show as complex as Euphoria. Beyond the 2023 Hollywood strikes that paused much of the industry, a major factor has been the skyrocketing careers of its young cast. Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer have become household names, appearing in numerous blockbuster films and prestige TV shows, making their schedules incredibly difficult to align. Sam Levinson's involvement in other projects, notably The Idol, also contributed to the extended hiatus. While frustrating for fans, this time has allowed the cast to mature alongside their characters, potentially making the time jump even more impactful.

With a powerhouse cast, a darker "film noir" vision, a significant jump into adulthood, and an astronomical budget backed by a legendary composer, Euphoria Season 3 is shaping up to be worth every second of the wait. Get ready for Spring 2026, because it's going to be an unforgettable return!

Frequently Asked Questions About Euphoria Season 3

When does Euphoria Season 3 premiere?

Euphoria Season 3 is officially slated to premiere in Spring 2026 on HBO.

Who are the major new cast members joining Euphoria Season 3?

The new season boasts an impressive list of new talent, including Sharon Stone, Rosalía, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, and YouTube personality Trisha Paytas, among many others.

Will the characters still be in high school in Euphoria Season 3?

No, there will be a significant time jump in Season 3, moving the characters beyond their high school years and into adulthood.

Is Angus Cloud's character, Fezco, returning for the new season?

Sadly, Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, passed away after Season 2. His character's storyline ended on a cliff-hanger, and while the show will need to address his absence, the character will not be returning.

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