As the highly anticipated third season of the hit HBO drama “Euphoria” approaches, its two leading stars, Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, don’t seem entirely thrilled about the prospect of returning to the show.
In recent interviews with Vanity Fair, both actresses expressed a mix of emotions regarding the show’s future and the challenges they’ve faced in recent years.
Zendaya, who won an Emmy for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in the series, acknowledged the delays in production, stating, “I will say, I have been off for a couple of years, so not delayed because of my [schedule]. … I’ve been open, just waiting.” The 28-year-old actress, who has been busy with the release of “Dune: Part Two” and “Challengers,” admitted that she is “rusty” and sometimes wonders if she can “even do this anymore.”
Zendaya expressed optimism about the show’s future despite the production setbacks, revealing that “Euphoria” will resume filming in January 2024. “I haven’t read anything yet, but I’m excited to see what everyone has been working on and what the future looks like for ‘Euphoria,'” she said. The actress underscored her dedication to bringing “justice” to those who love and care about Rue, and making sure her character receives proper care.
Sweeney, who has garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of the troubled Cassie Howard, echoed Zendaya’s sentiments. When asked how she’ll be able to “tune out the world” on set following the recent death of co-star Angus Cloud and her own recent success, Sweeney replied, “I mean, that’s my job. I have to go to work and become my character.”
The 25-year-old actress acknowledged the deep emotional connection she has with Cassie, describing her as “such a deep, meaningful character” for her. “I believe that, through her, I’ll also be able to grieve in a way.” Cassie is the longest character I’ve ever had in my life. I feel like she’ll always have such a special place in my heart, so I know that I’ll be able to just jump right in,” she added.
Sweeney also revealed the impact the delayed production had on her career, admitting that she had to pass on “a few projects” because she was “supposed to be going back to ‘Euphoria.'” However, the actress, who is now producing her own projects, was able to advantage over the situation, stating, “That’s how ‘Anyone but You’ happened. ‘Euphoria’ was supposed to start filming, and I had another film that I was supposed to do, but we couldn’t get cleared, and after a few weeks, I realized, ‘This is not happening.’ Therefore, I accelerated the production of ‘Anyone but You.’
The delays in “Euphoria’s” third season have been well-documented, with reports of a “toxic” on-set environment, writer and actor strikes, and the tragic deaths of Angus Cloud and executive producer Kevin Turen. Furthermore, Variety reported that HBO was dissatisfied with showrunner Sam Levinson’s scripts, and The Hollywood Reporter alleged that a dispute between Levinson and Zendaya contributed to the delay.
While the future of “Euphoria” remains uncertain, it’s clear that Zendaya and Sweeney are approaching the return to the show with a mix of hesitation and determination. As fans eagerly await the next chapter in the lives of Rue and Cassie, the actresses’ sentiments reflect the challenges and complexities that come with reprising their iconic roles.