‘Euphoria’ Season 3 delayed as Sam Levinson plans major changes

"Sam is working on it," says HBO CEO Casey Bloys, confirming the show's evolution beyond high school.

Fans of HBO's hit drama "Euphoria" will have to wait a little longer for the third season, as production continues to face significant delays. 

In a recent update to Variety, HBO CEO Casey Bloys shared insights into the ongoing development challenges that have prevented the start of filming.

“Sam is working on it,” Bloys explained, referring to series creator Sam Levinson. 

The Emmy Award-winning show, known for its raw portrayal of high school drama, is contemplating a significant shift in setting. 

"There’s been a lot of back and forth," Bloys noted, adding that Levinson is exploring how to transition the show beyond its original high school backdrop. 

“One of the issues I think that Sam is thinking about is that he doesn’t want to have it in high school anymore.”

The decision to evolve the setting reflects the series' commitment to authentic storytelling as the characters age. 

Bloys expressed optimism about Levinson's vision for the new season, mentioning, "But I think he’s got a take that he’s excited about, and he’s busy writing."

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the production timeline, Bloys reassured fans that the "same core cast" will return, including stars like Zendaya and Hunter Schafer. 

The show's ensemble cast has been pivotal to its success, captivating audiences with their compelling performances since its premiere in 2019.

The delay in production was compounded by the dual strikes of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, as well as the tragic death of co-star Angus Cloud in July 2023. 

Cloud's untimely passing and the strikes have posed additional challenges to resuming production.

Zendaya, who also serves as an executive producer, shared her hopes for the show's future, stating, “If it’s right for the characters and everything turns out the way it should, of course.” However, she acknowledged that the decision is not hers to make.

As the cast pursues other projects during the hiatus, Schafer remains hopeful about the show's return. 

“I just really miss everybody. Everyone is doing very well in their careers right now,” she said, highlighting the busy schedules of her fellow cast members.