Euphoria Creator Sam Levinson Reflects on Angus Cloud's Legacy and Season 3 Challenges
Sam Levinson, the creator of the hit HBO drama Euphoria, has opened up about the emotional toll of filming the upcoming third season following the tragic death of star Angus Cloud. Cloud, who portrayed the beloved character Fezco, passed away at the age of 25 in 2023 from an accidental drug overdose, leaving a void in the production before filming had even commenced.
Honouring Cloud Through Narrative and Faith
In a heartfelt interview with Variety, Levinson expressed his deep affection for Cloud, stating, "Losing Angus was really hard for us as a production. I loved him very deeply." He revealed that the show has chosen to memorialise Cloud by "keeping him alive" through its storytelling. Levinson elaborated on this approach, noting his desire to explore themes of faith and surrender to a higher power within the series. "I wanted to deal with that. I wanted to deal with questions about faith, about a power greater than ourselves," he said, emphasising the personal and spiritual dimensions woven into the new season.
Levinson's Personal Battle with Addiction and Cloud's Struggle
Drawing from his own experiences with addiction, which inspired Euphoria, Levinson previously discussed Cloud's ongoing battle with substance abuse during the filming of the show's second season. In a September 2023 interview with People, he disclosed that HBO had funded Cloud's stay at a rehabilitation centre, but the actor relapsed midway through production. "I could always feel that he didn't want [sobriety] as much as we all wanted it for him," Levinson recounted, highlighting the complexities of addiction. "That's where it gets tricky because the whole world can want it for you. But he didn't want it. It's just the self-destructive side of addiction and it outweighs everything. But you can't give up on people. I wasn't going to let anyone give up on him."
Season 3 Plot Developments and Cast Returns
The upcoming season of Euphoria promises significant narrative shifts, featuring a five-year time jump and the return of core cast members, including:
- Zendaya as Rue
- Maude Apatow as Lexi
- Jacob Elordi as Nate
- Alexa Demie as Maddy
- Sydney Sweeney as Cassie
- Hunter Schafer as Jules
A trailer released in March teases key plot points, such as Rue facing police interrogation about a trip to Mexico, Nate and Cassie's wedding, Lexi's career as a Hollywood screenwriter, and Jules pursuing modelling. Additionally, the season marks the final performance of Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs, following the actor's death in February at age 53 after a courageous battle with ALS.
Levinson's reflections underscore the profound impact of Cloud's passing on the Euphoria team, blending grief with creative tribute as the series moves forward without one of its brightest stars.
