Despite the rumors swirling around over the last few months, HBO wants to reassure fans that Euphoria, its controversial teen drama series, has not been canceled. However, it has been revealed that it has delayed production for the next season.
Speaking to Variety, an HBO spokesperson told the outlet that the show was not canceled but delayed production on a third season. The spokesperson explained that the network wants to allow the cast to pursue other career opportunities beyond the show.
"HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season," a spokesperson for HBO told Variety. "In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities."
This is not entirely surprising for those familiar with this show's cast. Although Zendaya was the breakout star when the series premiered, the other cast members have delved into other projects.
Sydney Sweeney, who plays Cassie Howard on the show, recently had roles in Anyone But You, Madame Web, The White Lotus, and religious horror film Immaculate. Jacob Elordi, who plays Nate Jacobs in Euphoria, has appeared as a lead in Saltburn and Priscilla and is set to star in Guillermo del Toro's sci-fi horror film Frankenstein. Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules, appeared in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes last year and is collaborating with legendary game developer Hideo Kojima on his next project, OD.
#EUPHORIA has been renewed for season 3. pic.twitter.com/vGnmps7OQC
— euphoria (@euphoriaHBO) February 4, 2022
This is not the first time Euphoria has experienced issues with production on another season. The second season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its place, HBO released two "special episodes" that came out in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively. The second season eventually premiered in January 2022, and roughly a month later, HBO announced it was renewing the show for a third season.
In the two years since the series got renewed for a third season, the show would also be delayed due to the Hollywood strikes last year, and in July 2023, it was revealed that actor Angus Cloud passed away. With all the delays and the death of Cloud, plus actress Barbie Ferreira announcing she would not return next season, combined with no firm updates on the third season, many fans began to think the show had been canceled.
Nevertheless, HBO is still targeting a 2025 premiere date for the next season of Euphoria. While no details have been released on the premise, some speculate that the next season will occur after a time jump. Though no concrete evidence has appeared, Elordi joked during an interview with Jimmy Fallon last January that the next season would likely take place in the future: "Otherwise, it's going to seem like a weird bit."
Euphoria premiered in 2019 and quickly became one of HBO's popular TV shows. The series has also been the subject of controversy since its premiere, most notably due to the excessive use of nutidy and sexual content.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
