HBOThe wildly popular HBO teen drama Euphoria is set to return, so here’s everything we know about Season 3, including when to expect the show in 2026.
Euphoria’s messy and, at times, controversial portrayal of teenage life and the complexities of addiction took the world by storm when the first two seasons dropped. It’s one of the best TV shows of recent years, largely due to amazing writing and directing, as well as the superb performances of its lead actors.
In particular, Zendaya received much acclaim in the main role of Rue, a troubled teen suffering from drug addiction. The Disney star has earned multiple awards for her work in the Euphoria cast, including a Golden Globe.
Despite rumors running rampant that a third season was no longer on the cards, filming commenced in February of 2025, and is due to wrap in September. As such, here’s everything we know so far about what to expect from Euphoria Season 3.
Is there a release date?
Euphoria Season 3 will drop on HBO Max in the spring of 2026. That release window comes courtesy of HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Buoys, who when asked about the show’s return by Variety, said “It’ll be the spring, but we don’t have a date confirmed yet.”
HBOIt was previously believed the third chapter would arrive in 2025, but in December 2024, Variety reported that Warner Bros. Discovery global streaming chief JB Perrette was anticipating the following year instead.
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On February 10, 2025, HBO revealed on social media that Season 3 of Euphoria was officially in production.
A Vogue interview with Euphoria star Maude Apatow reported that Euphoria Season 3 was initially set to begin shooting at the end of 2023. Those plans were ultimately held up by the Hollywood strikes.
Cancelation rumors explained
HBOEuphoria Season 2 was released in January 2022, and while it was an instant success, the constant delays made fans worried that Season 3 would never get made.
What’s more, Euphoria stars Sydney Sweeny, Zendaya, and Jacob Elordi have all been busy starring in multiple other projects, from Dune 2, Priscilla, Madame Web, and Anyone But You.
Elordi said on Jimmy Fallon in January 2024, “I hope it’s soon, or they’re going to have to Benjamin Button me or something. I’m going to have a bad back walking down the hallway, you know?”
This factor sparked even more concern for fans knowing that given their jam-packed schedules and the consistent delays, Euphoria Season 3 was becoming less and less likely.
Thankfully, they don’t have to worry any longer.
Which of the cast will be returning?
It has been confirmed that the key stars will all return, including Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow, and Jacob Elordi.
HBOHBO executive Casey Bloys told Variety that the core cast will all be back in an interview in June 2024.
Here’s the cast for Season 3:
- Zendaya as Rue
- Hunter Schafer as Jules
- Jacob Elordi as Nate
- Alexa Demie as Maddy
- Sydney Sweeney as Cassie
- Maude Apatow as Lexi
However, one cast member confirmed to be not returning is Barbie Ferreira. Ferreira — who played Kat Hernandez — revealed that she would not be coming back in Season 3 due to not wanting to become just the “fat best friend.” She made the announcement via Instagram in August 2023, writing out a message to her followers.
“After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I’m having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye,” she said.
“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 that she is today. I put all my care and love into her and I hope you guys could feel it. Love you Katherine Hernandez.”
Other actors who will not be returning for Euphoria Season 3 include Javon Walton, whose character Ash Tray met a violent end at the finale of Season 2. Fezco is also not returning for Season 3 after the death of actor Angus Cloud in July 2023.
Additionally, Storm Reid won’t be back as Rue’s sister Gia, although the reason why is yet to be revealed.
Plot details
All we know about Euphoria Season 3 is that it will involve a time jump that takes the characters out of high school.
HBOIn that same interview with Variety, Bloys said: “There’s been a lot of back and forth… 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.”
The finale of Season 2 was an explosive cliffhanger, leaving many of the pre-existing relationships between the characters shattered or damaged. For Rue, Season 3 will likely follow her journey now that she is no longer in a relationship with Jules.
One of the most significant changes to a character in Season 2 was Cassie, marking her decline from her happy-go-lucky attitude into a more obsessed and selfish person. While the end of Season 2 seemed like a breaking point for the character, actor Sydney Sweeney has said she hopes to continue exploring the dark side of Cassie in Season 3.
“There was a bit of Cassie that I got to play with when she started saying that she’s crazier than Maddy in a scene with Nate. And she kind of got a little more evil and dark and serious, and not so frantic. I would love to play with more of that streak within herself,” she told Variety.
“I like playing characters that are complex and have multiple layers. And people wonder if they’re evil or good, and pure or not. I like playing characters that make people think and make me think. Cassie, especially in the beginning, I never thought of her as scary. I just think of her as a really fragile, damaged girl.”
As for the character of Lexi, when asked by Deadline to say one word about her in Season 3, actress Maude Apatow said “ambitious.”
Is there a Euphoria Season 3 trailer?
No, there’s no Euphoria Season 3 trailer at the time of writing. In the meantime, check out the Euphoria Season 2 bloopers below:
We’ll update this article as and when more news on Euphoria Season 3 drops, including at all-important release date.
In the meantime, check out our list of the best tv shows of 2025 so far, the best new shows out this month, and everything we know about Stranger Things Season 5.