‘Euphoria’ Season 2: Releasing when? and all we know so far
Season 2 of Euphoria is on its way, so get your glittery eyeshadow and Zendaya fan art ready. The second season of Euphoria is finally coming together after Zendaya’s historic win at the 72nd Annual Emmys—the 24-year-old actress nabbed the Lead Actress in a Drama Series trophy for her portrayal of teen addict Rue Bennett—HBO confirmed.
It was a major setback for production when COVID-19 scuppered their plans to release the second season in August 2019, but things are getting back on the right track. What do we know about season 2 of Euphoria?
What happened at the end of Euphoria season 1?
“And Salt the Earth Behind You” was the eighth and final episode of season 1, which featured Rue’s relapse (in a surreal musical sequence), Jules’ departure for the city, Kat and Ethan’s winter formal, Cassie’s abortion, and Maddy stealing an incriminating CD from Nate’s room that could expose Nate’s father.
Euphoria Season 2 premiere date is yet to be announced.
Because of COVID-19, season 2 production was pushed back to 2021, despite the show’s original goal of airing season 2 in 2019. The second season of Euphoria will begin filming in “early 2021,” HBO president Casey Bloys confirmed to Deadline in late 2020. The second season of Euphoria will begin filming in Los Angeles on April 5, according to a Backstage listing.
Zendaya returned to the workforce on May 5, 2021. On Instagram, the actress shared a few pictures from the set. Actor Angus Cloud (Euphoria’s Fez) sits on a counter with the caption “Missed this kid” in the first picture. She also posted a picture of the sound stage where the show is filmed, with the caption “Just being back here in general…missed it” atop it.
The rest of the cast is clearly looking forward to returning to work. Eric Dane was asked by Deadline for an update on Euphoria’s filming schedule, to which he replied, “In mid-April. We’re actually started now on Season 2. I think I don’t start shooting for a couple weeks, but we are. I’m sure we’re going to get this out as soon as we can. We’ve set a pretty high bar. I’m very proud of that show, everybody involved is very proud of that show.”
Variety reported in August 2021 that HBO was “eyeing a premiere in late 2021 or early 2022” for season 2 in the most conclusive comment yet.
Before the first season had even aired, HBO announced that the second season had been approved. An HBO exec said in a statement that “Sam Levinson has built an incredible world with an incredible cast led by the supremely talented Zendaya,” according to EW. “We are so grateful that he chose HBO as the home for this groundbreaking series. We look forward to following these complex characters as their journeys continue through the challenging world they inhabit.”
A “beautiful” second season has been written, Zendaya confirmed in an interview with InStyle. However, there have been no concrete plot details released so far. While Levinson is known for rewriting his screenplay during production, he didn’t rule out doing the same with Season 2.
In an interview with Stylecaster, Sydney Sweeney (as Cassie) hinted at a season 2 storey arc that is apparently so outlandish that even she was taken aback:
“I can tease that, when you ask about season 2, my heart drops. In a you-guys-have-no-idea-what-you’re-going-to-watch way. Cassie really needs to get her shit together. I can’t say anything else. Cassie has a crazy storyline in season 2 that I did not expect. Every time I read a new episode that Sam writes, my jaw is on the ground and I can’t believe this is something coming out of someone’s mind.”
Zendaya told Teen Vogue in July that filming was “challenging, it’s a challenging season,” and that she was currently in the middle of filming. As difficult as it is, I believe Rue deserves all of the attention she receives because I believe she represents a great deal for so many people. And it’s my hope that our portrayals of Rue and the destinations of all the characters will bring joy to those people. However, I don’t expect this season to be an easy one. I don’t think it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch. Sometimes.”
The actress’s co-star Jacob Elordi confirmed during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he was also in the middle of shooting, echoing Zendaya’s words. Fans can expect a “insane” sophomore season and “a completely different show” when the show returns, according to the actor. The stunt penises will, however, remain. The good news is wonderful! Watch Julie Bowen’s interview with him below.
In an interview with British Vogue published in September, Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson confirmed that the new season will be…dark, to put it mildly. This season has been brutal, and one of the things I admire most about Z is her ability to go to those dark places before immediately returning to her desk, eating Cheesecake Factory, and cracking jokes when the show is cut.
It was in the same interview that Zendaya said, “I can only understand [addiction] to an extent, and then I have to lean on Sam. When he was a teen, he was addicted to drugs and alcohol. And he hasn’t had a drink since he was 19. As a result, I’m more optimistic about the future. A glimmer of hope exists because I know that she is a version of him, even in the darkest moments of this season.
How many cast members will be returning for season 2 of Euphoria?
Due to their cliffhanger endings, Fezco and Rue are safe to assume that they will return to the show. Previously, showrunner Sam Levinson stated that Rue would not be killed off in the season finale.
“I think Rue has a big journey ahead of her, and a tough one,” he said in 2019, adding, “It’s not something I want to cut short because of who Rue means to me as someone who has battled with addiction and come out on the other side, and because I think that there’s a lot more to delve into and unpack in terms of the effects of addiction on Rue and on her family and those around her. In many ways, the options are limitless.”
Hunter Schafer, who played Jules in the first season, spoke to EW about her hopes for her character’s season 2 arc, seemingly confirming that she’ll also be reprising her role.
According to Schafer, “I think I want to see Jules continue to work on herself in that she still has some major issues and to continue to dissect that and feel it out. “It’s not something I want to cut short because of who Rue means to me as someone who has battled with addiction and come out the other side, and because I think that there’s a lot more to delve into and unpack in terms of the effects of addiction on Rue and on her family and those around her. The possibilities are endless in many ways.”
Among the returning cast members are Barbie Ferreira as Kat Hernandez, Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs, Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard, Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez, Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard, and Storm Reid, who plays Gia Bennett, in season 2. At Comic-Con, Reid teased the possibility of more screen time for the character of Gia; he told Variety, “I think she will be evolving as a character and as a human and hopefully get her own episode and we start to see a little bit more of her storyline.” hinting at a more prominent role for the character in season 2.