Jacob Elordi, star of the HBO drama Euphoria, has seemingly poked fun at his character's sudden and gruesome death in the show's third season. The actor's portrayal of Nate Jacobs came to a shocking end when the character was buried alive and subsequently bitten by a rattlesnake, sparking a wave of reactions from fans on social media.
Behind-the-Scenes Snaps Show Elordi in Good Spirits
Despite the brutal exit of his character, the 28-year-old Australian actor appeared in high spirits in behind-the-scenes photographs shared on Euphoria's official Instagram account. In one image, Elordi can be seen throwing a rock finger sign while lying inside the wooden coffin where his character met his demise. Another snapshot captures him laughing on the ground, looking up at the camera.
Fans React to Nate Jacobs' Death
Following the broadcast of the episode, viewers took to social media to express their opinions, with many suggesting that Elordi might have been secretly pleased to leave the series behind. One fan remarked, 'I watched Euphoria last night. I guess Jacob Elordi is finally free of that awful show. Guy has real talent. That show was a waste.' Others echoed similar sentiments, with comments such as 'Jacob Elordi really wanted f***ing out of Euphoria' and 'I know Jacob Elordi was happy asf when he saw his character was dying.'
Some viewers criticized the direction of the character, noting that Nate's death seemed to ensure Elordi wouldn't have to return for future seasons. 'The fact remains is that Nate only dies so Jacob Elordi ensures he doesn't have to return or come back for a future season. His character does nothing and has no plot, so his death has no impact or meaning,' one user wrote.
Elordi Reflects on His Character's Fate
In a post-show recap for HBO, Elordi reflected on Nate's demise, joking that it was a great experience to see his choices catch up with him. 'Nate was someone who has made so many mistakes and so many dark choices,' he said. 'It's cool to see it all come to what it's come to.'
Discussing the filming of the coffin sequence, Elordi admitted he didn't feel claustrophobic. 'It was really nice, actually - it was quite peaceful in there,' he described. 'My shoulders were touching the side, they couldn't move my arms, then they would drill the lid on it and it would get dark.'
The Gruesome Execution Scene
Nate Jacobs was killed off in a gruesome sequence during a botched debt collection attempt. The character had been in heavy debt to gangster Naz (Jack Topalian), who placed him in a coffin with a breathing apparatus as a pipe. The plan was to keep Nate inside for three days while his spouse Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) raised the funds, but a rattlesnake entered through the pipe and fatally bit him.
Elordi revealed that show creator Sam Levinson 'wanted to shoot it with a real snake,' which complicated the already cramped conditions. 'Snakes were rattling, which was really alarming when you are locked in a box,' he said. Stunt staff prioritized safety, ensuring a constant flow of oxygen and minimal time in the coffin.
The actor described the boa constrictor used in the scene as 'super cute' and 'really cuddly,' noting that it was 'sluggish' and 'sleepy' during filming. 'He kind of just sidled up next to me and it was nice,' Elordi added.
Bittersweet Exit from Euphoria
Elordi called his departure from the series bittersweet after appearing in 23 episodes across three seasons. 'This show is a massive part of - not just my career - but my life,' he said. 'It's been amazing and I'm so proud of being a part of this.'
Fans, however, seemed more focused on his potential future projects, with many expressing relief that he is no longer tied to the show. As one viewer succinctly put it, 'Jacob Elordi is really happy he's out of that #Euphoria contract, so we should be too!'
