HBO just dropped the first big look at Euphoria Season 3, and it’s a whole new world. The show is making a huge change, skipping ahead five years in its story. The characters you knew from high school are now young adults dealing with life after school, and the new photos and videos show their surprising new paths. The new season is set to start in April 2026.
A Five-Year Jump Changes Everything
Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, shared details about where everyone ended up. He explained that after high school, characters split into different paths. Some went to college, while others jumped straight into the chaos of adult life.
“Five years felt like a natural place because if they’d gone to college they’d be out of college at that time,” said Levinson about the story’s new starting point.
The main themes for this season will focus on leaving the safety of school, dealing with big mistakes from the past, and trying to build a future. This jump forward means audiences will not see the characters back in a high school setting.
First Look at the New, Grown-Up Cast
The new photos released by HBO give a direct look at the characters’ current lives.
- Zendaya as Rue Bennett: In one image, Rue looks serious while sitting in a church pew. Her story picks up in Mexico, where she is still dealing with a large debt to the dangerous drug dealer, Laurie, played by Martha Kelly. In a new video clip, Rue is in a car and says, “A few years after high school, I don’t know if life was exactly what I wished”.
- Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard and Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs: The photos show a major shift for this couple. Cassie is seen holding a melting ice cream cone, and Nate is in a kitchen preparing raw meat. Levinson confirmed they are now engaged and living in the suburbs, with a wedding set to happen during the season.
- The Rest of the Group: Other photos show Hunter Schafer as Jules, who is now in art school and anxious about her painting career. Alexa Demie’s Maddy works at a Hollywood talent agency, and Maude Apatow’s Lexi is an assistant to a showrunner, played by new cast member Sharon Stone.
Where Are They Now? Character Updates
The time jump creates big story changes for every main character. Here is a breakdown of where the story finds them.
Rue Bennett: Her fight is not over. She is in Mexico, trying to find a way to pay back the drug debt from her past. A new teaser shows her in a tense situation with a mysterious, armed man, hinting that her past choices are still chasing her.
Cassie Howard and Nate Jacobs: Their relationship has moved forward, but not necessarily in a healthy way. They are engaged and living a suburban life, but Levinson says Cassie is “very addicted to social media and envious” of her old friends. The show promises their wedding night will be “unforgettable”.
Jules Vaughn: She is pursuing art in school but is filled with worry about becoming a professional painter and is described as trying to avoid responsibility.
Maddy Perez: She has entered the world of Hollywood, working at a talent agency while managing her own undisclosed side projects.
Lexi Howard: She is working as an assistant in the entertainment industry for a showrunner, played by Sharon Stone.
New Faces Joining the Cast
Season 3 is adding many new actors to the world of Euphoria. Notable additions include singer Rosalía, former NFL player Marshawn Lynch, and actors Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Deadwyler. Sharon Stone will also appear in a recurring role.
Some familiar faces from earlier seasons will not return. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez, left the show. Angus Cloud, who played fan-favorite Fezco, died in 2023. Actors Storm Reid (Gia), Austin Abrams, and Javon Walton are also not in the new season.
A Long Wait for the Return
The gap between Season 2 and Season 3 will be over four years. This long break was due to several reasons, including coordinating the busy schedules of the now very famous cast, Levinson working on another series, and reported creative discussions behind the scenes.
How to Watch Euphoria Season 3
- Release Date: April 2026 on HBO and the streaming service Max.
- Previous Seasons: Both Season 1 and Season 2 are currently available to stream on Max.
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