The next chapter of Euphoria is taking shape, and a fresh look at one of its core characters has arrived. HBO has released a new image of Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard for the show’s upcoming third season, accompanied by a telling line from the script. The release is part of a broader first look at the new season, which will premiere in April 2026 and features a significant five-year time jump, catching up with the characters in their early adult lives.
A Glimpse at Lexi’s New Chapter
The new image of Lexi shows her in a professional setting, wearing a crew pass around her neck on what appears to be a film or television set. This visual clue aligns with details shared by series creator Sam Levinson. He revealed that in the new season, Lexi is working as an assistant to a showrunner, a character played by Sharon Stone.
Alongside the photo, HBO highlighted a line of dialogue from the Season 3 script belonging to Lexi: “I can’t abuse my power”. This single line suggests a more confident and ambitious Lexi, who now holds a position of some influence in her workplace. In a recent interview, when asked to describe her character in one word, Maude Apatow simply said, “Ambitious,” laughing as she added, “Yeah, she is going for it”.
This marks a major evolution for Lexi, who spent earlier seasons observing the drama around her from the sidelines before stepping into the spotlight with her revealing high school play.
Where the Story Left Off and the Big Time Jump
The second season of Euphoria ended with major cliffhangers for nearly every character. Lexi’s play, Our Life, culminated in a chaotic fight between her sister Cassie and Cassie’s former best friend Maddy on stage. Meanwhile, Rue was navigating her sobriety while owing a massive debt to the dangerous drug dealer Laurie. Nate turned his father, Cal, over to the police, and Fezco was left devastated after a SWAT team raid.
Season 3 will not immediately resolve these tensions. Instead, it will jump forward five years, placing the characters around age 23. Levinson explained the choice, stating, “Five years felt like a natural place because if they’d gone to college, they’d be out of college at that time”. The characters are now fully out in the world, facing adult consequences without the safety net of school.
Confirmed Storylines for the New Season
Details from Levinson and the newly released photos outline where several main characters will be when the story resumes:
- Rue (Zendaya): The season finds Rue “south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie, trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off”. A new photo shows her sitting alone in a church.
- Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) & Nate (Jacob Elordi): Despite their turbulent past, the couple is still together. “Cassie is living in the suburbs with Nate, they’re engaged,” said Levinson. He also confirmed they will get married in what he promises will be “an unforgettable night”. Leaked set photos from April 2025 appeared to show Cassie in a wedding dress.
- Jules (Hunter Schafer): She is in art school but is “very nervous about having a career as a painter and trying to avoid responsibility at all costs”.
- Maddy (Alexa Demie): She is working at a talent agency in Hollywood and has “her own side hustles going”. In a new photo, she appears glamorous and on the same set as Lexi.
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Returning Cast, New Additions, and Absences
Filming for the third season began in January 2025 and is reportedly nearing completion. The returning main cast includes Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, and Colman Domingo.
The season will also introduce a large number of new actors in guest and recurring roles. Notable additions include Sharon Stone as the showrunner Lexi assists, alongside Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Kadeem Hardison, and Trisha Paytas.
The season will have to address several absences. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat, left the show in 2022. Storm Reid, who played Rue’s sister Gia, also confirmed she will not return. The production will also honor the memory of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco and died in July 2023. Maude Apatow mentioned in a recent update that while his loss is deeply felt, “there will be a beautiful tribute dedicated to him” in the new season.
“We have been shooting since the end of January and we’re getting close to finishing. It’s been really nice to see everyone together. We missed Angus completely but there will be a beautiful tribute dedicated to him. From what I’ve seen and read so far I think people will really love it,” said Maude Apatow in a recent social media update.
The music for the new season will also feature a high-profile collaboration. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has joined the series to work on the score alongside the show’s original composer, Labrinth.
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