Plot change revealed for third season of ‘Euphoria’
Following news of a delay in production for the third season of HBO’s Euphoria, it has been revealed that creator Sam Levinson has decided to rewrite the plot. In a last-minute decision, he has moved the narrative from the high school setting to one of young adulthood.
Given the unmitigated success of the first two seasons, HBO are more than happy to allow Levinson the time required to make the changes to the script, providing him with as much time as he needs to get the third instalment perfect. Production was already delayed due to the major SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last year.
It is thought that Levinson’s decision is partly motivated by the cancellation of his last show, The Idol. Considered exploitative and provocative, the show was axed after just one season. The Euphoria development will move the dicey themes of sex and drugs to a less controversial age group.
On March 25th, HBO officially announced the delay, detailing that the proposed May filming commencement had been postponed until further notice. The production giant has given permission for the cast to pursue other roles in the meantime. “HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” HBO announced last week. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”
Now, a source involved in production recently told The Wrap that HBO “wanted to give [Levinson] more time to break the story because there’s a lot more back and forth now that the show is changing in this way.”
Despite the conjecture surrounding The Idol cancellation, HBO has affirmed that it was not Levinson’s motivation to change the Euphoria script. “No one has lost faith in Sam as a creator,” an anonymous source told the publication mentioned above. “He is the driving force creatively on this show.”
Without giving too much away, the source added that Levinson’s team hasn’t changed. “He is still working with the same creative executives that he always has been,” they continued, “but since the show is changing, that process is taking longer.”
Addressing the delay in a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Euphoria cast member Sydney Sweeney revealed hope that the third instalment would resume production as soon as possible. “Cassie truly is a dream to play, and as an actor, I’m so fortunate that I’ve had a character like her at such a young age,” she said. “And, of course, I wanna keep living her crazy. I love it.”
HBO has been unable to confirm when shooting for Euphoria season two will resume, but they are still hopeful for a 2025 launch date.
Watch the trailer for Euphoria season two below.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.