The third installment of creator Sam Levinson’s buzzy drama will premiere in April 2026.

Euphoria unveils first look at main characters after 5-year time jump for season 3

The third installment of creator Sam Levinson's buzzy drama will premiere in April 2026.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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December 12, 2025 10:44 a.m. ET

Hunter Schafer and Jacob Elordi on 'Euphoria' season 3. Credit:

Patrick Wymore/HBO

The teens of *Euphoria* are all grown up.

On Friday, HBO's Emmy-winning drama unveiled the first look at its main cast of characters for the long-awaited third season, which takes place after a five-year time jump from where season 2 ended. The series rolled out images of Rue (Zendaya), the recovering addict who endeared viewers as she navigated her high school's web of sex, scandal, and betrayal; as well as former high school pals Maddy (Alexa Demie), Lexi (Maude Apatow), Jules (Hunter Schafer), Nate (Jacob Elordi), and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney).

The images all hint at what fans have heard of the upcoming season from the actors and show creator Sam Levinson before.

Zendaya on 'Euphoria' season 3.

Patrick Wymore/HBO

Rue is shown seated in the pew of a church, which was previously featured in HBO's action-packed trailer for the network's 2026 original programming. "We basically pick up Rue south of the border in Mexico, in debt to [drug dealer] Laurie [Martha Kelly], trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off." Levinson revealed during an HBO Max presentation in London earlier this month, according to *Variety*.

Sydney Sweeney on 'Euphoria' season 3.

Courtesy of HBO

Nate and Cassie have shockingly domestic images, with the latter seen resembling her mother and holding a melting ice cream cone as Nate shapes hamburger patties in a brightly colored kitchen. Levinson shared that the new season will feature a wedding for the duo, who have stayed together since high school ended.

Jacob Elordi on 'Euphoria' season 3.

Patrick Wymore/HBO

"Cassie is living in the suburbs with Nate, they’re engaged, and she’s very addicted to social media and envious of what appears to be the big lives that all of her high school classmates are living at this point in time," Levinson said. "I will say that Cassie and Nate do in fact get married. I’m confirming it. And I promise that it will be an unforgettable night."

Hunter Schafer on 'Euphoria' season 3.

Patrick Wymore/HBO

Jules is pictured before a large painting, which fits the reveal that the character is now in art school. "[She's] very nervous about having a career as a painter, and trying to avoid responsibility at all costs," Levinson said of her life post-time-skip.

Alexa Demie on 'Euphoria' season 3.

Patrick Wymore/HBO

As for Maddy, Levinson said that she "is working in Hollywood at a talent agency for a manager, she's obviously got her own side hustles going. And Lexi is an assistant to a showrunner played by Sharon Stone, who is just absolutely delightful and a true icon." Both are pictured on the same Hollywood lot, which hints that the pair might be working together.**

Maude Apatow on 'Euphoria' season 3.

Patrick Wymore/HBO

Although not pictured, also returning for season 3 are original stars Eric Dane, Colman Domingo, Chloe Cherry, Dominic Fike, and Nika King. Newcomers include Rosalía, Trisha Paytas, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, Marshawn Lynch, and Sam Trammell.

They'll be joined by numerous other guest stars, including Bella Podaras (*Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love*), Bill Bodner (*Killer Psyche*), Cailyn Rice (*1923*), Colleen Camp (*Clue*), Gideon Adlon (*Sick*), Hemky Madera (*Spider-Man: Homecoming*), Homer Gere (*August*), Jack Topalian (*True Detective*), Jessica Blair Herman (*9-1-1*), Kwame Patterson (*The Wire*), Madison Thompson (*Ozark*), Matthew Willig (*Young Rock*), and Rebecca Pidgeon (*Bird Box*).

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*Euphoria* stars who won't return for season 3 include Barbie Ferreira, who shared a "teary-eyed goodbye" to her character Kat Hernandez following the season 2 finale, as well as the late Angus Cloud, who played the sensitive drug dealer Fezco and died of an accidental overdose in July 2023.**

HBO has not shared an exact release date for *Euphoria* season 3, but the show will be back on small screens in April 2026.

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