The return of ‘Euphoria’ for its third season has been one of the most talked-about events of 2026. But behind the scenes of the April 12 premiere on HBO lies a very emotional story. Show creator Sam Levinson recently opened up about how the tragic death of star Angus Cloud forced him to completely change the show’s direction.
Before Angus Cloud passed away in July 2023 at the age of 25, the plan for Season 3 looked very different. Sam Levinson wanted to put Fezco front and center.
The Original Plan for Fezco
Sam Levinson admitted that the third season was originally built around Angus Cloud’s character. In interviews with The New York Times and Variety, Levinson explained that the version of the script written before the writers’ strike had Fez as the core of the story.
“Angus was the backbone of that season. I used to even talk to him about it because I wanted him to stay clean. So I would invite him over and I’d tell him what the plans were for the character. I’d say, look, he’s been in prison for a few years, so you’ve got to get that yoked prison body.”
Levinson didn’t just see this as a story choice. He saw it as a way to help Angus Cloud stay sober in real life. The creator wanted to give the actor a goal. He wanted Angus to hit the gym and take care of himself so he could play the version of Fez who had survived prison.
Why Levinson Never Killed Fez
Even before Season 3, Sam Levinson struggled to write Fez out of the show. He revealed that he planned to kill off Fezco at the end of Season 1. But he stopped himself because he felt Angus Cloud “needed something to look forward to or else he might get lost in the world.”
The same thing happened when writing the Season 2 finale. Levinson thought, “OK, I’m gonna have to do it this time: Fezco’s gonna die.” But when it came time to write the scene, he just could not do it. He wanted Angus to have a reason to keep going.
“I wanted him to have something to hold onto, a tangible goal for the future.”
How Season 3 Honors Angus Cloud
After Angus Cloud died from an accidental fentanyl overdose, Levinson had to scrap the original plan. But instead of killing Fez off-screen, he made a different choice.
“I couldn’t keep him alive in real life but I could keep his character alive in the show,” Levinson told The Hollywood Reporter.
In ‘Euphoria’ Season 3, the show jumps five years into the future. Fezco is still alive, serving a 30-year prison sentence. Viewers do not see Angus Cloud on screen. Instead, characters like Rue (Zendaya) and Lexi (Maude Apatow) talk to him over the phone.
Levinson explained that this was the only way to honor his friend. “I think the whole thing was to honor him,” he said at the Los Angeles premiere. He added that Angus would have loved the storyline. “I think he would be cracking up at his story line. I think he would love it.”
A Close Friendship Beyond the Set
The relationship between Sam Levinson and Angus Cloud went beyond being a boss and an employee. Levinson fought hard to help Angus with his addiction struggles. He even got HBO to pay for rehab and brought a sober coach to the set.
Levinson spoke about his own past with addiction in his late teens. He credits someone giving him a second chance for saving his life.
“The reason I’m here today is because someone in my life gave me a second chance. I wanted to do that same thing for him and for anyone who was struggling with addiction stuff.”
Levinson admitted he was very angry when Angus died, specifically because of the danger of fentanyl. Angus was one of 73,000 people in America who died from a fentanyl overdose that year.
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What to Expect When ‘Euphoria’ Returns
‘Euphoria’ Season 3 finally debuts on Sunday, April 12, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. For global audiences, the release times vary:
- USA: 9:00 PM ET on HBO and Max
- UK: Early morning of April 13 at 2:00 AM BST on Sky Atlantic and NOW
- Canada: 9:00 PM ET on HBO Canada and Crave
- Australia: April 13 at 11:00 AM AEST on Binge and Foxtel
- India: April 13 at 6:30 AM IST on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar
This season includes a major time jump. Rue is trying to survive in Mexico while dealing with criminal gangs. Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) are getting married. Lexi and Maddy (Alexa Demie) are working in Hollywood.
Eric Dane, who played Cal Jacobs, also passed away in February after a battle with ALS. Levinson adjusted the script to accommodate Dane’s health during filming, putting beer bottles in front of his character to explain changes in his speech.
Levinson is treating this season as a possible ending. “I go into every season like it’s the last season,” he said. For now, fans can watch ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 starting this weekend to see how the story of Fezco continues without Angus Cloud.
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