After years of waiting, the next chapter of HBO’s hit drama is finally here. Euphoria Season 3 will premiere on Sunday, April 12, 2026. New episodes will air weekly on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max. The eight-episode season is scheduled to run through the spring.
Fans last saw the characters of East Highland High in early 2022. Production on the new season faced multiple delays, including the Hollywood labor strikes and the tragic passing of actor Angus Cloud in July 2023. Filming finally began in February 2025 in Los Angeles and wrapped in November 2025. The new season features a significant change, moving the story forward with a five-year time jump that takes the core characters out of high school and into their early twenties.
A Complete Recap of Euphoria Season 2
To understand where Season 3 begins, it’s crucial to remember how Season 2 ended. The finale was a dramatic and emotional event for every character. Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, was on a path to recovery after her friends Jules and Elliot intervened in her severe drug addiction. However, a major unresolved threat loomed: Rue still owed drug dealer Laurie a large sum of money for a suitcase of drugs she never sold.
The school play written by Lexi became a chaotic centerpiece, forcing characters to see reflections of their own lives. This led to a violent on-stage fight between Cassie and Maddy after Cassie’s secret relationship with Maddy’s ex, Nate, was exposed. In a shocking move, Nate turned his father, Cal, over to the police, leading to his arrest.
One of the most heartbreaking moments was a police raid on Fezco’s apartment. During the shootout with a SWAT team, Fezco’s younger brother figure, Ashtray, was killed. Fezco was arrested, leaving his fate uncertain. The season closed with many relationships fractured and the future for everyone deeply unclear.
What We Know About the Euphoria Season 3 Plot and New Direction
Creator Sam Levinson has described the upcoming season as a “film noir” that will “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world”. The story picks up five years after the Season 2 finale, with the characters navigating adult life.
The official trailer and confirmed reports outline where we find the main characters. Rue is no longer in East Highland. She is living in Mexico, still trying to deal with her substantial debt to the dangerous Laurie. Jules is in art school in New York, pursuing painting but anxious about her future career.
One of the biggest surprises is the status of Cassie and Nate. Set photos and the trailer show they are engaged and living together in a luxurious suburban home. Reports suggest Cassie may be involved with social media or adult content creation. Meanwhile, Maddy has moved to Hollywood and is working at a talent agency. Lexi is an assistant to a successful showrunner, a role that will be played by the legendary Sharon Stone.
“We basically pick up Rue south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie, trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off,” said series creator Sam Levinson at an HBO event.
The season will also introduce new characters tied to a criminal underworld, suggesting Rue’s money problems will pull her into a darker, more dangerous plot.
Returning and New Cast Members for Season 3
Most of the show’s central stars are returning for this new chapter. This includes Zendaya as Rue, Hunter Schafer as Jules, Jacob Elordi as Nate, Sydney Sweeney as Cassie, Alexa Demie as Maddy, and Maude Apatow as Lexi. Eric Dane will return as Cal, and Colman Domingo is back as Rue’s sponsor, Ali. Martha Kelly (Laurie) and Chloe Cherry (Faye) have been promoted to series regulars.
Some familiar faces will not be returning. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat, announced her departure from the series in 2022. Storm Reid, who played Rue’s sister Gia, also confirmed she will not return for Season 3. The show will also have to address the absence of Angus Cloud, who played the beloved Fezco and died in 2023. How the series handles his character’s story remains to be seen.
Season 3 is adding a remarkable list of new actors and guest stars. Music superstar Rosalía joins in an undisclosed role. They are joined by Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Marshawn Lynch, and Sharon Stone. The season will also feature Eli Roth, Kadeem Hardison, and internet personality Trisha Paytas, among many others.
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Behind the Scenes: A Cinematic Upgrade for the Final Season
This season is not just a narrative shift but a visual one as well. The production is using a new, custom Kodak film stock and will be the first narrative TV series to shoot a significant amount of footage in large-format 65mm film. This technical choice promises a more cinematic and expansive look, matching the characters’ journeys into a wider world.
Emmy-winning composer Hans Zimmer has joined Labrinth to create the score for Season 3, which is expected to elevate the show’s iconic music to new heights. While the season is widely expected to be the series’ last, HBO executives have expressed confidence in the story’s conclusion.
“We’re gonna have a devastatingly gorgeous, epic season that I think is breaking the mold of television,” said actor Colman Domingo. “I think it’s gonna become more cinema than television.”
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