‘Euphoria’ Cast: Here's What the A-List Stars Are Up to While Season 3 Is on Pause (2024)

Few television shows have generated pop culture buzz quite like HBO's Euphoria.

The series, which premiered in 2019, centers on Rue Bennett, a teenager struggling with a drug addiction and the realities of complicated high school relationships. In addition to breakout performances from stars like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie and Barbie Ferreira, Euphoria is also known for its memorable beauty and fashion moments.

Although the cast features established actors like Eric Dane and Minka Kelly, the ensemble is unique in that it's led mainly by newcomers. Model Hunter Schafer made her debut as the mysterious Jules, Angus Cloud became a fan favorite as Fezco and Maude Apatow's performance as Lexi Howard landed her firmly as an actress to watch.

The series was renewed for season 3 in 2022, though there hasn't been any announcement of a premiere date and the series was put on hold temporarily in March 2024.

“HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season. In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities," the network told Deadline in a statement.

During season 3's production pause, the now all-star cast is taking on a variety of highly-anticipated films and series. Elordi will star in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, Sweeney is acting in the thriller Americana and Zendaya is taking the lead in Luca Guadagnino's tennis film Challengers.

While fans wait for updates on season 3, here's everything to know about the cast of Euphoria, from their previous roles to their personal lives.

Zendaya as Rue Bennett

Zendaya was already in the midst of a transition from child star to prestigious actor, but landing the lead role in Euphoria marked a pivotal moment in her career. Long before playing the troubled teenager Rue Bennett, Zendaya appeared in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up. She went on to star in another Disney series, K.C. Undercover, as well as two Disney Channel original movies, Frenemies and Zapped.

In 2017, Zendaya made her big-screen debut as MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming. She reprised her role in the sequels Spider-Man: Far From Home and No Way Home. The Emmy winner is also a recording artist and showed off her vocal chops in the 2017 movie musical The Greatest Showman, in which she starred opposite Zac Efron. Some of her other film credits include Smallfoot, Dune, Space Jam: A New Legacy and Malcolm & Marie.

In 2020, at age 24, Zendaya won an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her work on Euphoria, making her the youngest recipient of the award. She won the same award two years later.

In her personal life, Zendaya is dating her Spider-Man costar Tom Holland. The pair confirmed their romance in 2021 and have since shared Instagram tributes to each other. They generally keep their relationship out of the spotlight.

Next, the award-winning actress is starring in Challengers, a highly-anticipated tennis movie created by Call Me By Your Name director Guadagnino. Outside of acting, Zendaya is co-chairing the 2024 Met Gala with Chris Hemsworth, Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez.

Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard

Sydney Sweeney plays the insecure and self-sabotaging Cassie Howard. After guest-starring on shows such as 90210 and Pretty Little Liars, Sweeney took on bigger roles in Sharp Objects and The Handmaid's Tale. She also appeared in the Netflix original series Everything Sucks! and the Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood.

The actress quickly gained widespread recognition for her role in Euphoria after the series premiered in 2019. Her portrayal of Cassie, who often entangles herself in toxic relationship drama, earned her a nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series at the 2022 Emmys.

In 2021, Sweeney appeared in season 1 of HBO's dark comedy The White Lotus, which earned her a second Emmy nomination in 2022 and a spot on the TIME100 Next list. She has also starred in Madame Web and Reality since acting in Euphoria.

Sweeney is also a producer with her own company called Fifty-Fifty Films. Her most successful project so far was Anyone But You, a rom-com starring herself and Glen Powell which made a record-breaking over $200 million at the box office. Sweeney also starred in and produced the horror movie Immaculate — next, she will take on The Caretaker.

Outside of her producing roles, Sweeney will star in Americana alongside Paul Walter Hauser and her Euphoria costar Dane. She is also joining an all-star cast, including Ana de Armas and Jude Law, for the thriller Eden, per Deadline.

Off-screen, Sweeney is passionate about vintage cars and documented the process of restoring her 1969 Ford Bronco on social media. In 2022, she got engaged to her restaurateur boyfriend Jonathan Davino.

Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn

Hunter Schafer plays the new girl in town, Jules Vaughn. Prior to starring in Euphoria, Schafer worked as a model for fashion houses such as Prada, Dior and Marc Jacobs. She has also made waves advocating for transgender rights.

Schafer has spoken about working with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson to create her character, who is also transgender.

She told Variety in 2019, "All the complications that come with being trans and queer simultaneously, as far as that being something the public is going to see: That's really exciting to me, because that story will be accessible. But what's also exciting is that it's not about that at all."

After making a name for herself on Euphoria, Schafer starred in and Cuckoo.

Next, she will act alongside Emma Stone in the Yorgos Lanthimos movie Kinds of Kindness. Schafer is also working on the horror movie Palette and starring alongside Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel in A24's Mother Mary, per Deadline.

As for her personal life, the actress dated her Euphoria costar, Dominic Fike from 2022 to 2023.

Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez

Alexa Demie plays Maddy Perez, a straight-talking high school student in an on-again, off-again relationship with football player Nate Jacobs.

Before her breakout role in Euphoria, Demie guest-starred on shows such as The OA and Netflix's Love. She also appeared in Waves and the 2018 film Mid90s, which was written and directed by Jonah Hill.

Like her character Maddy, Demie also has a passion for fashion. In a 2020 episode of The A24 Podcast, the actress revealed that in high school, she created her own line of embellished sunglasses called Mainframe. Her designs drew the attention of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Nicki Minaj, but Demie eventually gave up the business.

In March 2024, the actress appeared onstage with Madonna at one of the performer's Celebration tour concerts.

Barbie Ferreira as Kat Hernandez

Barbie Ferreira played Kat Hernandez on Euphoria. In her teens, Ferreira began modeling for brands including Aerie and H&M. She then moved into on-camera hosting, starting with Vice's 10-episode series How to Behave and Teen Vogue's web series Body Party.

Her first acting role was on HBO's Divorce in 2018, and she later appeared on Euphoria as a high school student who, after a classmate posts a video of her having sex online, begins making money as a camgirl.

In a 2021 interview with Teen Vogue, Ferreira reflected on her character. "A lot of fat girls are sidekicks," she said. "Euphoria took that trope and turned it upside down. Kat's a fat girl who takes command of her own life and takes command of how people look at her. You don't really see that on TV."

In August 2022, Ferreira announced her exit from the HBO series after her character was given a noticeably smaller role in season 2. After her time on Euphoria, Ferreira starred in the drama Bob Trevino Likes It and Jordan Peele's Nope.

Next, the actress will star alongside Ariana Debose in House of Spoils, per Variety, and The Young King with Michael Shannon, per Deadline.

Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard

Maude Apatow plays Lexi Howard, Cassie's more studious sister.

The daughter of director-screenwriter Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann, Maude is no stranger to Hollywood. Her first roles were in her father's films Knocked Up and This Is 40. Maude later appeared in the films Other People and The King of Staten Island.

One of Euphoria's casting directors, Jessica Kelly, told IndieWire that Levinson wrote the character of Lexi specifically for Maude after working with her on Assassination Nation.

In 2022, Maude's father Judd told Entertainment Tonight that he was "really emotional" after watching his daughter in Euphoria. "I'm just in a puddle," he said. "I'm just bawling and crying ... You're always happy when your kids are doing well and have a job."

On Feb. 7, 2023, Maude made her New York City stage debut as Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs

Jacob Elordi appears on Euphoria as star quarterback Nate Jacobs. In a 2022 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he described his character as a "sweet, lovable, relatable, giant, 18-year-old psychopath."

Before Euphoria, the Australian actor was best known for his role as Noah Flynn in Netflix's romantic comedy The Kissing Booth. He also starred in the film's two sequels.

After gaining fame on the HBO series, Elordi played Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola's Priscilla and starred in Emerald Fennell's Saltburn. Next, the actor will take on a bevy of projects, including the Australian miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North, del Toro's Frankenstein, the war film Oh, Canada and On Swift Horses with Daisy Edgar Jones.

As for his personal life, Elordi dated his The Kissing Booth costar Joey King for over a year before they broke up in 2018. The following year, he sparked romance rumors with his Euphoria costar Zendaya, and he dated model Kaia Gerber from 2020 to 2021.

The BAFTA nominee has been dating Olivia Jade Giannulli, daughter of Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, since December 2021.

Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs

Eric Dane plays Nate's father, Cal Jacobs, on Euphoria.

The Calfornia-born actor started his career playing minor parts on shows like Saved by the Bell and Roseanne. In 2003, he gained wider recognition for his two-season arc as Jason Dean in Charmed. Three years later, he made his Grey's Anatomy debut as Dr. Mark Sloan — he became a series regular until 2012 and reprised the role for one episode in 2021.

On Euphoria, he plays a father grappling with his sexuality and a difficult relationship with his son. After his intense performance in the HBO series, Dane acted in Dangerous Waters. Next, the SAG Award winner is starring in Bad Boys: Ride or Die with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence and joining KJ Apa in the motorcycle racing movie One Fast Move, per Deadline.

Off-screen, Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004 and the pair welcomed two daughters before separating in 2018.

Angus Cloud as Fezco

Angus Cloud played the scene-stealing drug dealer Fezco before his death in July 2023 at age 25.

Born Conor Angus Cloud Hickey in Oakland, California, the artist had no acting experience prior to Euphoria. He was scouted while walking down the street in N.Y.C.

"I hope I did a good job," he told Variety in 2022. "I don't know how to act. I just do it. I'm in rooms with people that have been acting their whole life, and I'm like, 'Why am I here?' I got imposter-type s---."

After making his debut on Euphoria, Cloud took on other acting projects including The Line and Your Lucky Day. In 2022, he was named the new face of Polo by Ralph Lauren Fragrances.

Cloud's castmates reacted to the news of his death with Instagram tributes and statements about their grief and connection to the late actor.

"Angus was the funniest person ever," Maude wrote onInstagram. "I would get so excited to see on the schedule that we would be working together because I knew we’d have the best day, laughing so hard. He was the sweetest and made everyone around him so happy. He was just the best. Words can’t really capture how magical of a person he was. My heart is broken."

Storm Reid as Gia Bennett

Storm Reid plays Rue's younger sister, Gia. In 2023, she told the PEOPLE Every Day podcast that she had bonded with her on-screen sister Zendaya in real life.

"I always go to her for advice," Reid said. "She's always just super honest, super blunt, in the most loving, gentle way. But she's still gonna tell you how she feels. And I love that because I am a very blunt, straightforward person."

As a child, Reid appeared in films like 12 Years a Slave and Sleight. In 2018, she received critical acclaim for her role in Ava DuVernay's A Wrinkle in Time. Reid also got praise for her guest appearance on The Last of Us in 2023.

Next, the Emmy winner is acting in Killing Winston Jones and starring in Teyana Taylor's directorial debut, Get Lite, per Deadline.

Outside of her career, Reid attends the University of Southern California. She also previously dated football quarterback Shedeur Sanders — the former couple made their red carpet debut in January 2023.

Nika King as Leslie Bennett

Nika King plays Leslie Bennett, Rue and Gia's mother. She is an actress and stand-up comedian who previously appeared on Hannah Montana, 2 Broke Girls and NCIS: Los Angeles.

In March 2022, King told the Today show that she drew on personal experience to tackle her role as the mother of a teen living with addiction.

"I do not take this lightly, I do not go into this thinking, 'Oh it's just a role, it's just acting' — no, I understand the gravity of addiction," she said. King also told Forbes that her uncle had died from addiction-related causes just a few months before she started filming Euphoria.

“The emotions were still raw. I thought about him and the moments we had together before shooting,” she told the outlet.

In March 2024, King empathized with Euphoria fans over the distress of a delayed season 3 during one of her stand-up sets.

“Season 3 is coming out ... I don’t f------ know. Don’t ask me. I don’t know," the comedian said, starting her joke. Referencing the demands made by fans, King continued, “‘We need season 3!’ Bitch, I need season 3 — I haven’t paid my rent in six months.”

The actress also referenced her TV daughter saying, “Zendaya’s over inParis at Fashion Week. Bitch, come home. I need you. Mama needs you.”

Colman Domingo as Ali Muhammad

Colman Domingo plays Ali Muhammad, a man in recovery from drug addiction and Rue's sponsor.

Domingo began his career in the late '90s as a theater actor, starring in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions like Passing Strange and Chicago. In 2011, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in The Scottsboro Boys.

His film credits include Lincoln, Selma and If Beale Street Could Talk. Next, Domingo is starring as Joe Jackson in the Michael Jackson biopic and taking on a role in the Netflix thriller series The Madness, per Variety.

In 2022, Domingo won his first Emmy for his performance on Euphoria. Following his win, the actor told PEOPLE that "nothing has been easy and given" to him in his career. The challenges "helped me figure out how to create for myself and create space for myself," he added.

"I know that my win is a huge boon for not only African American men that look like me, but also people who live in queer spaces as well," he said. "And showing that there's no limits to what we can play, what we can do."

Off-screen, Domingo has been married to his husband, Raúl Domingo, since 2014.

Algee Smith as Chris McKay

Algee Smith plays football player Chris McKay. As Cassie's love interest, McKay was a central character in season 1 of Euphoria, but he appeared in only two episodes of season 2.

The actor took on small roles in film and television before gaining critical attention in the 2017 period crime drama Detroit, which earned him a nomination for outstanding actor in a motion picture at the 2018 NAACP Image Awards. Smith went on to star in The Hate U Give and Judas and the Black Messiah.

He is also a recording artist and has released several EPs.

Austin Abrams as Ethan Daley

Austin Abrams plays Ethan, Kat's love interest in season 1 of Euphoria, and the unexpected star of Lexi's play in season 2.

Abrams' supporting character got his moment in the spotlight — literally — in the second season of the series. In Lexi's autobiographical play, Our Life, Ethan took on multiple roles, including the Nate Jacobs character who had an elaborate musical number.

"That's not something previously that I had done in a long time, with dancing and stuff," the actor told Entertainment Tonight in 2022. Abrams also said that the scene took three days to film with choreographer Ryan Heffington.

Before his time on the HBO series, Abrams appeared on This Is Us and The Walking Dead and also played the titular Dash in Netflix's YA series . Next, the actor will appear in Wolfs alongside Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Dominic Fike as Elliot

Dominic Fike plays Elliot, who is introduced in season 2 when Rue meets him at a New Year's Eve party.

An established musician, Fike's role in Euphoria marked his acting debut. He had a string of successful singles, like "3 Nights" and "Phone Numbers," and released his first studio album, What Could Possibly Go Wrong, in 2020.

In the season 2 finale of Euphoria, Fike performed "Elliot's Song," which was written by Zendaya and the show's composer, Labrinth. He has also contributed to the soundtracks of three huge movies, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Barbie and his Euphoria costar Sweeney's film Anyone But You.

After playing Elliot, Fike acted in Earth Mama and Little Death. As for his personal life, Fike previously dated his on-screen love interest, Schafer.

While Euphoria remains on hold, the singer is set to play multiple music festivals in the summer of 2024, including Governors Ball, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Chloe Cherry as Faye

Chloe Cherry joined Euphoria in season 2 as Faye, a quirky character who first crosses paths with Rue during a drug deal gone wrong.

Before making her TV debut on the hit HBO show, Cherry worked in the adult film industry and was scouted by show creator Levinson on social media. The star told The New York Times in 2022 that the director followed her on Instagram, and when he reached out through a casting agent, she turned down the offer thinking it was a scam.

Cherry eventually auditioned and ended up becoming one of the season's most memorable characters. After finding success on Euphoria, Cherry decided to leave the adult film industry and focus on acting.

She has since acted in Femdom Empire and appeared on an episode of Ziwe. Next, Cherry will appear in the indie film Two Neighbors, per Deadline.

Minka Kelly as Samantha

Minka Kelly appeared in season 2 of Euphoria as Samantha, a wealthy young mother who hires Maddy as a babysitter.

Kelly is best known for her role as Lyla Garrity on the football drama series Friday Night Lights, which aired from 2006 to 2009. Her other television credits include Parenthood, Charlie's Angels, Jane the Virgin and the DC Universe series Titans. She's also starred in movies including The Roommate and Searching for Sonny.

Next, Kelly will star alongside Josh Duhamel in the Netflix romantic drama series Ransom Canyon, per Deadline.

In her personal life, the actress dated comedian Trevor Noah from 2020 to 2022. She's also been romantically linked to other A-listers, including Jesse Williams and Chris Evans.