Euphoria
star Zendaya explains how she deals with difficult moments on set as the Season 3 filming start date approaches. Created by Sam Levinson, the hit HBO drama debuted in 2019, chronicling the lives of a group of high school students as they deal with issues surrounding drugs, sex and friendship. The show, starring Zendaya as drug addict Rue, has faced a difficult and uncertain path following the release of Season 2 in 2022, but Euphoria Season 3 is expected to begin filming in January 2025.
During a recent edition of VarietyOn “Actors on Actors,” Zendaya talks to Nicole Kidman about her journey as an actress in Hollywood, bringing up her challenging experiences as Rue in Euphoria. While Zendaya doesn't specifically address what's coming in season three, she does briefly talk about the future of the series and how exhausting it is filming new episodes:
We should do another season. I only did two, but it looks like five. One season of “Euphoria” is like “Phew!”
Talking about the toll booth footage Euphoria takes over her body, Zendaya tells Kidman: “I still have my scars from Rue.” Filming the show can also be mentally and emotionally draining, and the Rue actress reveals that she tries not to be in her character's head when she's not filming:
I'm still learning, but I know I like to have fun at my job. I don't want to be unhappy just because the character is unhappy. On “Euphoria,” we would have very, very difficult days. I'm like, “OK, I have to cry and break down a door real quick,” and then I'm back like, “Hey, Cheesecake Factory? What are we going to have for lunch? I try my best to leave them at work and go home and live my life and be a person.
The HBO show has been at the center of several controversies
The HBO drama may be too physically and mentally demanding for Euphoria cast members, but it's clear that the show's content is impressing viewers. Reviews for the show have not only been positive for both seasons, but the series has also been a huge ratings hit for HBO and Max. The show is so popular, in fact, that the second season helped it become the second most-watched HBO show of all time Game of Thrones.
It is important to note, however, that Euphoria also found itself in hot water. The program was criticized, for example, for its abundance of nudity and Levinson himself has been accused in reports of creating a toxic environment. The hours of filming are reportedly quite extreme, and several stars, including Sydney Sweeney, have revealed that they asked for select nude scenes to be changed if they didn't contribute to the story. Many stars involved in the show also praised Levinson and largely dismissed allegations about the toxic work environment.
Season 3 could be the most emotional yet
It is a challenge to paint an accurate picture of what exactly happens behind the scenes of Euphoriabut it is clear that such an important topic can harm those involved. Rue's storyline on the show continues to be one of the most emotional, traumatic and explosiveand Zendaya is evidently reticent about not taking those she feels home with her at the end of the day. It remains to be seen what will come Euphoria third season, but audiences will likely be in for more emotional turmoil when the controversial HBO show returns.
Source: Variety