Sam Levinson, the creator of the hit series Euphoria, has shared insights into his working relationship with actress Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Cassie Howard in the show. In a recent interview as part of The Hollywood Reporter's Directors in Focus event, Levinson revealed that Sweeney's performance reaches new heights when she is gently challenged on set.
Pushing for Brilliance
Levinson explained, 'What's interesting is if you push it a little bit, she becomes brilliant. You just do a few more takes, and she can reach these levels that are very honest emotionally, but also deeply funny. She's able to anchor the scene with this kind of madness and chaos going on around her.' This comment comes after a key scene was changed on the day of the shoot, requiring Sweeney to adapt quickly.
Zendaya's Physical Comedy
Levinson also praised Sweeney's co-star Zendaya, highlighting her physical comedy skills. He noted, 'What's so spectacular about Zendaya as an actor is the physicality that she has, and I think it goes back to her Disney training, that she's able to move with such humour and tell a story.' He described a scene where Zendaya's character, Rue, attempts to escape a Jeep on a border wall, comparing it to a Buster Keaton routine set in a modern drug world.
Addressing Rumours of Tension
Despite speculation about a rift between Sweeney and Zendaya, stemming from their absence together at the season three premiere and a cast photo, their co-star Jessica Blair Herman has dismissed any drama. In an appearance on Fox 5's Good Day New York, Herman stated, 'They really did. And I'm not just saying that. No drama. Really, they've created this beautiful working relationship and everyone wants to do the work, to come in and do the job.' She clarified that the two actresses rarely film together due to separate storylines, adding, 'To be fair, when I was there, they're not sharing scenes. Their storylines are very separate, you're shooting on different days and stuff.'
