'Euphoria' Season 3: Everything We Know So Far

It's been a while since fans have checked in with the raucous teens at East Highland High, but Euphoria season 3 is on the way. The show was confirmed to return for a third installment several months after the second season aired—and while there was radio silence about more episodes for some time, Rue, Jules, and their various classmates (and drug dealers) are coming back soon.

The second season drew criticism for leaving too many storylines unfinished and underusing fan-favorite actors, but it also told gutting, honest, and beautiful narratives about the ups and downs of addiction, teen love, and grief, leading it to skyrocket in popularity. According to Variety, viewership nearly doubled from season 1, and Euphoria season 2 became HBO’s second-most-watched show since 2004, following only the juggernaut Game of Thrones. With that in mind, it makes sense that the network is holding out for a third installment of the show starring Zendaya and helmed by Sam Levinson—despite many delays (more on that later).

With Euphoria season 3 on the horizon, here's what we know about it.

When will 'Euphoria' season 3 be released?

School will be back in session at "Euphoria High" in 2026—and we finally have a premiere date. When the official trailer dropped in mid-January (more on that below), HBO confirmed Euphoria season 3 will return on Sunday, April 12. The eight-episode season will air throughout the spring, with the finale on Sunday, May 31. Start penciling your "HBO Sundays" into your calendar!

Before the premiere date was confirmed, HBO teased on Instagram in December 2025 that the show would return sometime in April 2026. The network shared the news with an image of Zendaya in costume as Rue, sitting with her feet up on the dashboard, riding shotgun in an old car. "Let's ride," the caption reads.

Despite being renewed for season 3 in early 2023, fans have anticipated a long wait between Euphoria seasons for quite some time. The release date was also seemingly shifted around.

HBO first shared an update on when new episodes would arrive over a year after season 2 aired in May 2023, when HBO's head of drama told Deadline that the release date had been pushed back to at least 2025. At the time, Orsi explained that the delay was due to Levinson's focus on finishing up The Idol, which aired from June to July 2023. Then, at a November 2023 press event, the network chief said Euphoria would return in 2025, but in July 2024, Deadline announced production wouldn't start until early 2025. Nevertheless, the show began shooting in February and wrapped in late fall 2025.

Who is in the returning cast of 'Euphoria' season 3?

Many of the Euphoria stars's careers have taken off exponentially since the drama premiered, and especially since season 2 wrapped—namely Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, and Sydney Sweeney, who all led blockbusters and critically acclaimed projects in recent years. Because of that, many fans have wondered whether they have grown out of the series or their schedules would be too busy to return.

While HBO put those rumors to rest in 2024, with Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max content Casey Bloys telling Variety that season 3 would be "the same core cast," the series officially confirmed who would return in February 2025. As production kicked off, the show's social media confirmed that Zendaya, Sweeney, Schafer, Elordi, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, and Maude Apatow will lead the next installment.

Months later, in mid-October, HBO confirmed via a press release that several previously unannounced returning names would indeed be back, including Alanna Ubach (Suze), Daeg Faerch (Mitch), Dominic Fike (Elliot), Melvin Bonez Estes (Bruce), Nika King (Rue's mom, Leslie), Paula Marshall (Marsha), Sophia Rose Wilson (BB), and Zak Steiner (Aaron).

Storm Reid (Gia) and Barbie Ferreira (Kat) were notably absent from the list, though Reid revealed in November 2024 that she wouldn't be back, and Ferreira also said she exited the series in 2022.

Who are the new additions to the cast in 'Euphoria' season 3?

When the returning cast was confirmed, Euphoria also revealed several exciting new names joining the show's third installment.

After singer-songwriter Dominic Fike was added as a big name to season 2, the drama seems to be following its tradition and has booked Spanish pop star Rosalía. She's not the only big name joining the ensemble: NFL-star-turned-actor Marshawn Lynch and Kadeem Hardison, who starred on the sitcom A Different World and alongside Zendaya on KC Undercover, are also now a part of the show. Other additions include Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Priscilla Delgado, James Landry Hébert, and Anna Van Patten.

By the looks of the trailers and a later casting announcement (more on both below!), we know British actor Akinnuoye-Agbaje is portraying a dangerous drug kingpin. As for the others, their roles remain undisclosed; however, the announcement included a first-look photo of Rosalía on set. In the shot, she wears a chic green top with cutouts and what appears to be a bedazzled neck brace, and she seems to be sitting in a chair in the audience at a theater. (Fingers crossed that means we get to hear new original music from her!)

The Grammy winner also shared a statement with her casting news. "If there’s anything that excites me as much as finding a good melody or a good lyric, it’s becoming a better performer every day," she wrote. "Euphoria has been my favorite series of the last few years and I couldn’t be happier and more grateful to be acting alongside all these colleagues that I admire so much and contributing my ‘granito de arena’ to bring Sam’s vision to reality. I can’t wait to share what we’re doing!!! Besitos, Rosi."

Lynch, who had a breakout role in 2023's Bottoms, shared a statement as well: "I'm hella juiced about the show and getting a chance to work with the people in front and behind the camera. At the end of the day, I’m just thankful for the opportunity."

Meanwhile, Hardison said, "I was over the moon when I heard the news that I booked it. It’s amazing to be back on set with Z. She and I formed a tight friendship while shooting K.C. Undercover, and we’ve stayed close, so this is truly special."

He continued, "Sam, Ashley, the entire cast and crew have all been great to work with, and we’re all very happy to be shooting it here in L.A., especially after the travesty that thousands here just experienced. Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and here’s to hoping more productions follow suit and come back to Los Angeles to shoot."

Just when you thought the Euphoria season 3 cast couldn't be more booked, even more new names were announced in mid-October. According to a press release, a range of famed filmmakers, Emmy winners, acclaimed actors, cult-loved influencers, and more are joining the ensemble. The latest slate of names includes Bella Podaras, Bill Bodner, Cailyn Rice, Colleen Camp, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, Gideon Adlon, Hemky Madera, Homer Gere, Jack Topalian, Jessica Blair Herman, Kwame Patterson, Madison Thompson, Matthew Willig, Natasha Lyonne, Rebecca Pidgeon, Sam Trammell, and Trisha Paytas.

Even still, that's not all! In mid-November, Deadline reported yet another newcomer. The Girl From Plainville star Jeff Wahlberg (who, yes, comes from the famous Wahlberg family; he's Mark and Donnie's nephew) also joins in a recurring role.

As expected with a high-profile show like Euphoria, details have been kept under wraps about all the new stars's roles. And, at this point, it's really anybody's guess who all these new characters will be! In the meantime, you can check out a first-look photo of Deadwyler in costume (as seen above) and start theorizing. We're certainly intrigued to find out how she and the rest of these new faces come into play in the forthcoming episodes.

More exciting season 3 casting news was announced several weeks later. Oscar-nominated Hollywood legend Sharon Stone rounds out the A-list newbies. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the star, known for leading classic '80s and '90s movies, namely, erotic thrillers, joined the ensemble after it was rumored for some time that she was in talks to star. She's one of the few cast members we know who we have a vague idea of who she'll be playing. As Levinson later revealed, Stone is taking on a Hollywood exec who Lexi works for.

And she's definitely excited about joining the ensemble. "There is little more exciting than going to work with this team of thrilling talent,” she said. “From the genius of Sam Levinson to the raw sophistication of this profoundly moving cast and tight crew. I am honored to be Euphoric.”

We also know who newcomer Asante Blackk will play. The 23-year-old This Is Us alum's casting was announced by Deadline, and he's said to be in a "major recurring role." His character is named Kidd, and he's "a runner for a ruthless kingpin played by new series regular Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje."

How did 'Euphoria' season 2 end?

Season 2 had a bittersweet ending: we saw the second act of Lexi’s brilliant play (including a riveting intermission, thanks to a rogue Cassie and Maddy); watched Nate turn his father over to the police; saw Rue come to terms with her grief and close chapters on her relationships with Elliot and Jules; and saw Fezco and Faye be arrested while Ashtray was killed in a shootout with a S.W.A.T. team.

What is the plot of 'Euphoria' season 3?

During the gap in between seasons, it was confirmed that there would be a time jump in season 3, which meant it could go in any number of directions. There was all but speculation for a while, but Levinson finally teased what fans can expect during an HBO event in London in early December, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

The showrunner explained that the series is now all about "being out of the safety net of school," and will be set five years after high school ended. He gave descriptions of the main characters, saying Rue has been hiding out in Mexico, where she's "trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay" back drug dealer Laurie, whom she's in debt to. Jules, meanwhile, is in art school trying to pursue painting and "trying to avoid responsibility at all costs;" Maddie works for a talent agency in L.A. and has "her own side hustles;" and Lexi is an assistant to a TV showrunner, played by newcomer Sharon Stone.

Perhaps the most surprising of the descriptions is Nate and Cassie's story: Levinson confirmed they're engaged and will get married during the season. Of the characters, he said, "I promise that it will be an unforgettable night...Cassie is living in the suburbs with Nate. They’re engaged, and she’s very addicted to social media and envious of what appears to be the big lives that all of her high school classmates are living at this point in time."

We're curious to see how that all plays out, but thankfully, the wait won't be too much longer.

Is there a trailer for 'Euphoria' season 3?

There sure is! HBO unveiled the season 3 trailer in mid-January. The preview finds Rue on the run in Mexico, where her voiceover says, "A few years after high school, I don’t know if life was exactly what I wished. But somehow, for the first time, I was beginning to have faith." Hopefully that faith comes through because, as the trailer reveals, Laurie is on her tail and coming back to demand the money she's owed. It looks like that will lead Rue to return to the U.S. and hook up with some more nefarious folks, namely Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje's character—and potentially try being a "sugar baby," as her old friend Maddie suggests.

The trailer also shows Nate disgruntled in his relationship with Cassie, who's an OnlyFans star, their extravagant yet chaotic wedding, various shots of clubs, car chases, and more. From the looks of it, if you thought Euphoria was dramatic before, we're in for an even wilder ride.

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If the long wait between seasons has you eager for more, HBO's preview of its 2026 slate also features shots of the new episodes. Like the trailer, it expands beyond the walls of East Highland. It shows Rue in a church, praying for guidance, as her voiceover, "There's no turning back"—and then a whole lot of melodrama follows. We see shots of Lexi at a party, Nate dancing in what looks like a hotel room, Cassie posing in costume, and Jules with a more grown-up version of her signature eyemakeup. Like the trailer, it also teases Rue's misadventures, as she delves deeper into a life of crime.

Why has 'Euphoria' season 3 been delayed?

It's unclear why exactly Euphoria season 3 has been delayed as long as it has, but several factors have been reported, from the lengthy production on The Idol to the season's concept.

When Bloys confirmed that Levinson was working on the season 3 scripts in June 2024, he shared with Variety that the delay was partially because the showrunner was still working out what he wanted to do with the season, including potentially aging up the characters. Bloys explained, "One of the issues I think that Sam is thinking about is that he doesn’t want to have it in high school anymore. That’s where it was set and what made sense then. So when you take it out of that, there’s a lot of back and forth about where to set it and how far in the future to set it and all that stuff. But I think he’s got a take that he’s excited about, and he’s busy writing."

Bloys's June 2024 comments followed a March 2024 report from Variety regarding the delays that confirmed the show was still inching toward production and not being scrapped entirely, despite speculation. "HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” an HBO spokesperson told the outlet. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”

Meanwhile, sources also opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about Zendaya's relationship with Levinson becoming "frayed" based on how long it's taken him to deliver Euphoria season 3. According to THR, the star's "frustration grew" as Levinson turned his focus to The Idol and away from Euphoria, and after the show had been off the air for two years, was so "perturbed" by the timeline that she demanded to meet with HBO executives to see what was taking so long.

As reported by THR, the November 2023 death of Levinson's longtime friend and producing partner, Kevin Turen, also contributed to the delays. According to the outlet, Turen was always "more popular" than Levinson, but their working relationship became fraught months before he died unexpectedly, potentially affecting work on Euphoria. Now, his loss is said to have ramifications on moving into production, as Zendaya reportedly does not want Levinson and his wife, Ashley, who has taken on many of Turen's duties since his death, to be the sole executive producers on season 3.

Clearly, it sounds like a lot has contributed to the long wait for Euphoria season 3, but it's coming.