After a four year hiatus, Euphoria has finally returned. On Tuesday night, the show’s all-star cast—Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow, and Alexa Demie— gathered for the world premiere to celebrate the long-awaited third (and possibly final) season.
Hollywood’s famed TCL Chinese Theatre played backdrop, transformed into the Wild West for the occasion to evoke the lawless spirit of adulthood and a frontier where anything is possible; some themes addressed in the new season. The red—or rather, brown—carpet stretched across two city blocks, decorated with pampas grass, dried wheat, tumbleweed, gravel, and massive lava rocks.
Elordi, in Bottega Veneta, was among the first to emerge, followed by Apatow in head-to-toe Celine. Schafer showed up in embellished Roberto Cavalli. And soon, there was howling from both Apatow and Schafer as Demie strutted down the carpet in vintage Bob Mackie. Sweeney was the next to roll in, in a vintage Pierre Cardin dress from her own closet, followed by Zendaya in a slinky halter gown by Ashi Studio. “I can’t stop smiling. It’s so surreal to be here at the premiere. We’ve been waiting to come back for so long,” Apatow told Vogue.
Season 3 starts streaming April 12 on HBO Max and begins with a five-year time jump from where the last series left off. “I wanted to tackle faith and the belief in something greater than ourselves,” creator Sam Levinson said. “What is it that we are worshipping in our lives? What are we putting our faith into? And what is true freedom? Those were ideas that felt very potent and exciting to enter into.”
Back in the forefront is Rue—played by Zendaya—who is working off her debts by becoming a drug mule. Rue’s former love, Jules, is in art school, but feeling nervous about her future career. “Playing Jules again was a nice way to reflect on myself when I was her age. Like her, I was starting a new career, as an actor, and it was a raw moment in my life,” Schafer told Vogue. “Euphoria was my first role—which is nuts—but it really helped me grow as an actor. 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. I have a tool box of things that I’ve learned over the years. I definitely feel less scared walking onto a set than I did the first time.”
Meanwhile, Cassie and Nate are living together in the ’burbs. “It’s wild!” Sweeney said about stepping back into the role of Cassie, a fan-favorite character known for her intense emotional vulnerability, desperate search for love, and ‘ugly crying.’ “She is such a crazy character and it really challenges and pushes me in so many ways that I never dreamed of. It’s been really fulfilling.” And yes, this season will bring more meme-ready crying moments. “It’s emotionally exhausting and sometimes physically demanding, when I have to cry, but it’s also very rewarding,” Sweeney said. “I get to do what I love and it energizes me in such a complete way.”
As for Lexi, she has found herself employed as an assistant to a television showrunner played by Sharon Stone. “Lexie has really found her voice and is confident. But, she has a lot less patience in season 3,” teased Apatow. Maddy is also working in Hollywood as an assistant talent manager—and ends up helping Cassie create adult content in order to earn some extra cash. “I love Maddy’s arc this season. I thought it made a lot of sense. She’s surviving and one of her main motives is money,” Demie said. “I hope Maddy’s storyline resonates and starts conversations, sparks curiosity, and maybe digs into some hearts.”
One major change in season 3 is the absence of Fezco, played by the late Angus Cloud, who passed away in July 2023 at 25-years-old. At the screening, an emotional Levinson took to the stage to dedicate the night to “those who we lost,” which included Cloud, actor Eric Dane, and producer Kevin Turen. “When Angus died, it was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean. The year he died, in 2023, he was one of 73,000 people in America who died of a fentanyl overdose,” he said. “I learned a whole lot that year, but what I realized, more than anything, is that death is what gives life meaning. You can’t be arrogant about existence. You’re forced to reckon with the fact that life itself is a wonder, a gift, a profound blessing.”
After the screening, guests made their way across town to Chateau Marmont for the after-party. There, they gathered in the hotel’s enchanting garden courtyard, enjoying braised beef and mashed potatoes while sipping specialty Euphoria-themed cocktails; the Road to Redemption was a notable crowd-pleaser. Elordi was spotted giving new cast member Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje a warm embrace while Sweeney chatted with Scooter Braun. Chloe Cherry, who plays Faye, parked herself at a corner banquette with some friends. Near the bar, Lily-Rose Depp and Rachel Sennott, the stars of Levinson’s series The Idol, reunited.
Demie, who changed into a romantic Chanel dress fresh off the runway, was in a huddle with Schafer and Apatow, who had also swapped out her premiere look for a camisole top and skirt by Bode. “I’m always giggly when I get together with Hunter, Maude, and Z. When any of us get together, it’s so special and fun,” Demie said. “We know each other for so long now. We’re family and it’s pure fun to be with them. It’s a relief when we see each other at events. They are like an anchor and make nights like tonight even more fun.”
Photo by: Myles Hendrik1/9Jacob Elordi
Photo by: Myles Hendrik2/9Hunter Schafer
Photo by: Myles Hendrik3/9Sydney Sweeney
Photo by: Myles Hendrik4/9Maude Apatow, Lily-Rose Depp
Photo by: Myles Hendrik5/9Rachel Sennott, Jordan Firstman
Photo by: Myles Hendrik6/9Anna Van Patten
Photo by: Myles Hendrik7/9Alexa Demie
Photo by: Myles Hendrik8/9Winnie Harlow
Photo by: Myles Hendrik9/9Sam Levinson
