Euphoria Season 3: HBO’s Most Controversial Show Returns in 2026

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Fans have been waiting three years, but season 3 of Euphoria is finally coming out later this year and is expected to be a major hit in 2026. Since its debut on HBO in 2019, Euphoria has launched the careers of its young stars – Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi – who are now some of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.

HBO is known for groundbreaking and bold television, having created iconic shows like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Game of Thrones. This willingness to take risks and give creators creative freedom has sometimes led to controversy, especially with shows that contain graphic violence or sexual content. Euphoria continues this tradition, and its third season is expected to be just as provocative.

Euphoria Season 3 Will Return To HBO After Three Years Off The Air

Despite doubts about its renewal, Euphoria season 3 is confirmed to premiere on HBO in April 2026. Picking up five years after the dramatic conclusion of season 2, the new season will show what the characters are up to after graduating high school and starting their lives beyond.

We’re starting to learn what’s in store for season 3 of Euphoria. Rue will be in Mexico trying to earn money to pay back Laurie. Maddy and Lexi are both pursuing careers in the entertainment world – Maddy at a Hollywood agency, and Lexi as a showrunner’s assistant. Meanwhile, Cassie and Nate are engaged and living a suburban life, but Cassie is struggling with an addiction to social media.

Considering how famous the stars of Euphoria are, fans were glad to hear they were back for season 3. And they won’t be the only new faces – several well-known actors are joining the cast, including Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, and Marshawn Lynch.

Why Euphoria Season 3 Was So Delayed

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Because Euphoria features teenage actors, filming had to happen quickly—any significant delays risked the actors becoming too old for their roles. This raised doubts about whether a third season would ever be made, especially after the poor reception of Sam Levinson’s other HBO series, The Idol, which came out in 2023.

Several issues caused delays for Euphoria season 3. The biggest was the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, which impacted many shows and movies. Sadly, the deaths of actor Angus Cloud, who played Fez, and executive producer Kevin Turen also contributed to the delays.

Adding to the challenges, many of the actors on Euphoria became very famous during the show’s run. Before Euphoria, most were newcomers, but they quickly became well-known and started appearing in other big projects during breaks in filming. There were also reports of tension between Zendaya and the creator, Sam Levinson, because he was allegedly prioritizing his new show, The Idol, over Euphoria.

The good news is the original actors, including Zendaya, are returning for season 3. The big question now is whether the show will continue to be as shocking and talked-about as before.

Euphoria Is The Most Controversial HBO Show Of All Time

Beyond its popular actors, Euphoria constantly generates buzz in pop culture, largely because it’s become HBO’s most talked-about and controversial series. While many HBO shows feature mature content, Euphoria has faced especially strong criticism due to its graphic depictions involving teenagers.

It’s not unusual for teen dramas to face criticism for how they portray teenage sexuality – shows like Gossip Girl, Riverdale, and Dawson’s Creek all received complaints when they originally aired. However, Euphoria differs from those shows because it’s on HBO, which allows for more mature content than traditional network television.

As Euphoria begins its third season, the characters will be older, moving into their early twenties. This could address some of the past criticism, as they’re now portraying young adults. However, the show has also faced criticism for potentially glorifying difficult topics like trauma, mental health issues, and destructive behaviors.

Considering the storyline with Cassie and Rue in season 3, this disagreement probably won’t be resolved anytime soon. Regardless of how much debate the next season of Euphoria causes, let’s hope it’s an improvement over The Idol.

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2026-01-10 21:52