Jacob Elordi has described the gruesome demise of his Euphoria character Nate Jacobs — being buried alive and fatally bitten by a rattlesnake — as 'a cool way to go.' The 28-year-old Brisbane native's character met his end in a harrowing sequence aired on Sunday's episode of the popular HBO drama.
Debt Collection Gone Wrong
Jacobs, who had accumulated significant debt to gangster Naz (Jack Topalian), was placed in a coffin fitted with a breathing apparatus. The plan was for him to remain there for three days while his wife Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) attempted to raise the required funds. However, a rattlesnake slithered down the breathing pipe and delivered a fatal bite.
Speaking in a post-show recap, Elordi reflected on his character's journey: 'Nate was someone who has made so many mistakes and made so many dark choices. It's cool to see it all come to what it's come to.'
Filming the Coffin Scene
Contrary to expectations, Elordi did not find the coffin sequence claustrophobic. 'It was really nice, actually — it was quite peaceful in there,' he said. Describing the physical sensation, he added: 'My shoulders were touching the side and they couldn't move my arms, then they would drill the lid on it and it would get dark.'
The actor revealed that show creator Sam Levinson 'wanted to shoot it with a real snake,' which added complexity to the already confined space. 'Snakes were rattling, which was really alarming when you are locked in a box,' Elordi noted.
Safety Measures On Set
Stunt staff prioritised safety during production, ensuring a constant flow of oxygen and limiting Elordi's time inside the coffin. The snake used was a boa constrictor, which Elordi described as more sluggish than menacing. 'He was super cute; he was really cuddly. So he kind of just sidled up next to me and it was nice. But he was really sleepy. I had to kind of nudge him to get him to come up. And that was it.'
A Bittersweet Farewell
The Kissing Booth star called his exit from the series bittersweet after appearing in 23 episodes across three seasons. 'This show is a massive part of — not just my career — but my life. It's been amazing and I'm so proud of being a part of this.'
Nate Jacobs evolved significantly throughout the series, from a troubled youth who discovered his father Cal's sex tapes to an abusive figure in early seasons, eventually marrying Cassie. The third season depicted him five years later, subdued and resigned to a grim fate due to mounting debts.
In a previous interview with Entertainment Weekly, Elordi discussed the nuances of playing the villain: 'I act to understand a different experience, to express an experience that's different to my own. Playing him taught me a lot about empathy and patience, which is strange with a character like that. It's a real treat to be a part of that show, and to play the quote-unquote bad guy. It's always more fun. You don't wanna play some morally superior, world-saving loser.'
