Euphoria season 3: First look image shared as filming begins

It's fair to say that HBO show Euphoria had us all hooked back in 2022, when season two aired, and quickly left us all wanting more. After what felt like an eternity, bosses began to share dribs and drabs of production updates late last year - with them now officially confirming that production has begun. Not only that, but we've got a first look image to whet the whistle...

Bosses took to HBO's social channels on 10th February to tease the brief message: 'Euphoria Season 3 is in production', while also sharing a first look image at Zendaya, as her character Rue Bennett, in the upcoming season.

Following the dramatic and suspenseful ending to season two, leaving us with several unresolved storylines, it comes as no surprise that fans just to the comments to share their excitement, with one writing: 'THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER.'

Season three is set to star show favourites such as Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer and Sydney Sweeney - and, of course, starring actress Zendaya. The news of production beginning comes just weeks after Colman Domingo, who plays Ali Muhammed, teased at the Golden Globes in January 2025 that he and other cast members were: "Ready to get back to work".

The last series of Euphoria landed in January 2022, with the upcoming production marking three years since our last dose of the show. With the show welcoming back many popular cast members, we can expect to see the likes of characters such as Rue Bennett, Nate Jacobs, Maddy Perez and Cassie Howard.

We won't, however, be seeing Barbie Ferreira in the upcoming third season, with the actress playing the role of Kat Hernandez. News broke in August 2022 that she had left the show, with her writing at the time: 'After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I’m having to say a very teary eyed goodbye.

'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.'

Has production begun?

Yes, production on the third season of Euphoria has begun. HBO confirmed the news on 10th February 2025, sharing a first look image of Zendaya as Rue Bennett.

Bosses teased in the Summer of 2024 that filming was set to begin in January, with cast member Colman Domingo confirming at the 2025 Golden Globes that he and his Euphoria co-stars were "ready to get back to work", and filming was indeed beginning that month.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the event, which took place on 6th January 2025, the actor (who plays recovering drug addict Ali Muhammed) said: "I'm ready to get back to work. Sam's ready to get back to work. Zendaya's ready to get back to work, and Sydney and Jacob. Everybody's really excited. It's been a long time, but I feel like the band is back together again.

"Good things, you have to wait for them. You have to let it marinate. You gotta let it simmer."

This followed Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO and head of HBO drama and film series, confirming last summer: "I am thrilled that we are ready to begin production on Euphoria in January." She continued: "We could not be happier with our creative partnership with Sam (Levinson) and this incredible cast. We look forward to bringing this new season of Euphoria to life for the fans."

Why was production delayed?

Production for season three saw various setbacks - with a main one coming in for form of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. This was also paired with the busy schedules of starring cast members, such as Zendaya and Jacob Elordi, who have been busy with projects such as Challengers, Dune and Saltburn.

In March 2024, following a delay in production being announced, a HBO spokesperson told Variety: "HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season. In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities."

It was also sadly announced in August 2023 that Angus Cloud, who starred as Fezco, had passed away, at the age of 25. Fans, friends, family and his co-stars shared tributes for Angus, with Zendaya adding: 'I’m so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh'.

Angus' character, Fez, was reported to have "figured heavily into the initial concept for the (third) season", with script re-writes taking place after the tragic news was released.

Sadly, in November of that year, Euphoria producer Kevin Turen suddenly died of heart failure, at age 45.

Were there creative differences with the scripts?

When it came to the season three scripts for Euphoria, there have been various reports about creative differences that reportedly slowed down the production process.

In Winter 2023, Sam Levinson - who in writing and directing, has full creative control over the show - reportedly proposed his season three, including a five year time jump as well as apparent ‘meaty arcs’ for Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi's characters, Variety reports. Although HBO seemingly liked the concept, it was reported that Zendaya was not as keen, however no further comment was given.

The next round of scripts were reportedly not HBO's cup of tea, with storylines such as Rue working as a Private Detective, or her being sober and a pregnancy surrogate. Neither HBO or Zendaya have commented on the reported creative differences.

What will happen in the next season of Euphoria?

Although we don't know much about the upcoming plot for the third season, it has been reported that we will see a time jump, catching up with the characters a reported five years down the line from where we last saw them.

Check out these other TV shows we can't wait for the return of:

Now read:

Zendaya's incredible career so far: Her journey to worldwide fame

Euphoria's Barbie Ferreira announces she's LEAVING the show

Zendaya pays tribute to late Euphoria co-star Angus Cloud

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• euphoria
• zendaya
• jacob elordi
• sydney sweeney