After more than four years, HBO has set April 2026 for the return of its hit drama Euphoria. The show’s creator, Sam Levinson, recently shared specific details about the new season, confirming a major time jump and revealing where the main characters will be in their lives. The story will pick up five years after the events of Season 2, moving the characters out of high school and into their early twenties. Levinson has outlined four central storylines that will drive the new season, involving Rue’s dangerous situation, a surprising marriage, and the early career struggles of other fan-favorite characters.
Rue’s Dangerous New Reality in Mexico
When the show returns, viewers will find Zendaya‘s character, Rue Bennett, in a perilous situation far from home. Levinson confirmed that Rue is “south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie”. Laurie, the dangerous drug supplier played by Martha Kelly, was introduced in Season 2. Rue is now actively “trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off”. This storyline directly deals with the lasting consequences of her past actions and addiction, placing her in a setting isolated from the rest of the cast and significantly raising the stakes for her survival.
Cassie and Nate’s Suburban Life and “Unforgettable” Wedding
One of the biggest reveals is the status of Cassie Howard and Nate Jacobs. Levinson confirmed that the couple, played by Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi, are not only engaged but will actually get married during the season.
“I will say that Cassie and Nate do in fact get married. I’m confirming it,” Levinson stated. “And I promise that it will be an unforgettable night.”
When the season begins, they are already living together in the suburbs. Levinson described Cassie as being “very addicted to social media and envious of what appears to be the big lives that all of her high school classmates are living”. This suggests that despite an outwardly settled life, Cassie struggles with comparison and dissatisfaction, potentially setting the stage for significant drama surrounding their wedding.
Jules, Maddy and Lexi Navigate Careers and Independence
The time jump allows other characters to pursue adult paths. Hunter Schafer‘s character, Jules Vaughn, is in art school. Levinson said she is “very nervous about having a career as a painter and trying to avoid responsibility at all costs”. Meanwhile, Alexa Demie‘s Maddy Perez is working in “Hollywood at a talent agency for a manager” and has “her own side hustles going”. Maude Apatow‘s Lexi Howard has also entered the entertainment industry, working as an assistant to a showrunner. That showrunner will be played by new cast member and Hollywood icon Sharon Stone. These storylines shift the show’s focus toward early adulthood challenges like career anxiety and financial independence.
Also Read:
A Major Time Jump and New Cast Members
The decision to move the story forward by five years was a deliberate creative choice. Levinson explained that the show could not return to the high school setting, joking that “many, many shows have had 30-year-old high school students, we’re not”. He felt that five years was a natural point to revisit the characters, as they would now be out of college and navigating the world without the “safety net of school”. The large ensemble cast is joined by many new faces. In addition to Sharon Stone, new cast members include singer Rosalía, media personality Trisha Paytas, and actors Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, and Eli Roth. Not all familiar faces will return. Actors Austin Abrams, Algee Smith, and Storm Reid are not part of the new season. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat, departed the series after Season 2. The show also continues to deal with the real-life loss of Angus Cloud, who played the beloved character Fezco and died in July 2023. His absence will undoubtedly affect the story and the dynamics between the characters.
Production on the eight-episode season finished in November 2025. While HBO has confirmed the premiere for April 2026, an exact release date has not yet been announced. The return follows a long delay caused by several factors, including scheduling conflicts with the now-in-demand cast, the production and reception of Levinson’s other HBO series The Idol, and the Hollywood strikes in 2023. Reflecting on the new stories, Levinson expressed strong confidence in the upcoming season, stating, “I feel strongly this is our best season yet”.
Also Read: Absentia Season 1 Finale Reveals Who Framed Emily Byrne and Why
