See How the “Euphoria” Cast Grew Up from Season 1 to Now

The long-awaited third season of 'Euphoria' will debut on April 12

NEED TO KNOW

• Euphoria returns for its third season on April 12 after debuting in 2019
• Since the show premiered, much of its cast has gone on to become stars
• While Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi and other stars will return to reprise their roles, a few cast members, including Barbie Ferreira, will not be back for season 3

It's been seven years since fans were introduced to the troubled characters in Euphoria. And on April 12, they are (finally) returning to the small screen.

The HBO drama debuted in 2019, following a teenage drug addict as she navigated the complex dynamics of high school relationships. Euphoria quickly turned its young cast into household names, with Zendaya earning two Emmys for her portrayal of Rue and costars Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi rising to major Hollywood fame in the years since.

Sadly, not all of the show's stars will reprise their roles for its third, and potentially final, season. Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, died in July 2023 at age 25 from an accidental drug overdose, and Eric Dane, who portrayed Nate's menacing dad Cal, died of acute respiratory failure in February 2026 at age 53 after being diagnosed with ALS a year earlier.

Barbie Ferreira exited the series after portraying Kat in the first two seasons, later explaining that it was a “mutual decision” due to a lack of direction for her character.

"I think instead of me kind of lingering around for nine months, I think it was best for both of us that we just ended it there,” she said during a March 2025 interview on The Viall Files.

She continued, "I love Euphoria. I love Kat. Kat means the world to me. I mean, I spent so many years pouring everything into her, but it's like, you don't want to ruin a good thing.”

Before Euphoria returns to HBO for its third season on April 12, take a look at the characters who are back — and how they’ve changed since season 1.

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Zendaya as Rue Bennett

In 2019, Zendaya starred in the pilot season as Rue, a queer teen who is struggling to stay sober after a stint at rehab. At the start of season 3, she appears to be working as a drug mule to pay off her debts.

When discussing the five-year time jump between seasons, the actress shared on Entertainment Weekly's The Awardist that, like fans, she was "interested to see what happens."

"There's only so much high school drama you can deal with," Zendaya explained in the October 2024 interview.

She continued, "It will be fascinating to see and understand these characters outside of the context of high school and how all the stuff that we saw when they were kids and they were in high school affects the adulthood they have, and who they become in a much bigger world."

02 of 06

Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard

Sweeney stars as Cassie, who was exploring her sexuality in season 1 (while also lusting after the boyfriend of her best friend, Maddy). But that was just the start for Cassie.

Sweeney warned viewers who thought Cassie couldn't get any wilder that she is more unhinged in season 3 as she plans her wedding to Nate (Elordi) while working as an adult content creator.

"Cassie is crazy," the actress shared in a June 2025 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, teasing that her character is "even worse" than in previous seasons.

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Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs

Elordi's character, Nate, started off as a high school football player with some severe anger issues stemming from a complicated relationship with his dad. In the first two seasons, he's also an abusive partner to Maddy and Cassie.

However, Elordi told Gwyneth Paltrow in a December 2025 interview for Variety's Actors on Actors that he thinks Nate is nicer in season 3 than fans had seen before.

He admitted that he was a bit unsure about his own performance, as he explained the show went in a completely different direction this time around.

"Whether it works or not, I don’t know," he said. "There’s a chance that what we've done — what I’ve done — is not good. I'm not sure."

Season 3 finds Nate taking over his dad's construction business and clearly unhappy with his wife-to-be's career choice. In the season 3 trailer, Nate can be heard saying, "I work all day, and my bride-to-be is spread-eagled on the internet."

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Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez

In season 1, Alexa Demie brought Maddy, the quintessential (albeit wilder) popular cheerleader dating Nate, the star on the football team, to life.

From the looks of the season 3 trailer, she has arguably become the most successful of the group post-high school, working as a talent agent in Hollywood.

“I love Maddy’s arc this season," Demie told Vogue in April 2026. "I thought it made a lot of sense."

She added, "She’s surviving and one of her main motives is money. I hope Maddy’s storyline resonates and starts conversations, sparks curiosity, and maybe digs into some hearts.”

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Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard

Euphoria fans met Lexi, Rue's childhood bestie and Cassie's younger sister, as an insecure teen.

Maude Apatow was proud to tell Vogue in April 2026 that her character "has really found her voice" in the show's final chapter.

"[She's] confident," the actress mused of Lexi, who is working as an assistant to a TV showrunner played by Sharon Stone in season 3. "But, she has a lot less patience."

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Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn

Hunter Schafer's Jules was the new kid in town (and Rue's on-and-off again girlfriend) in the pilot season.

Euphoria's final chapter will see her navigate life as a sugar baby while working her way through art school. The actress and model told Vogue in April 2026 that reprising the role was "a nice way to reflect" on her life at that age.

"Like her, I was starting a new career, as an actor, and it was a raw moment in my life,” Schafer told the outlet. "Euphoria was my first role—which is nuts—but it really helped me grow as an actor."

She added, "I was really scared in season one because I didn’t know what I was doing. I have a better sense of what I’m doing now."

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