Euphoria has officially ended after seven years, following a controversial season three finale that killed off three major characters. The HBO series, which launched the careers of Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney, aired its final episode last night. In the bloodbath conclusion, protagonist Rue (Zendaya) dies after taking Percocet laced with Fentanyl by drug boss Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). Creator Sam Levinson confirmed the end to The New York Times' Popcast, stating, 'In terms of the story that we set out to tell, which is a story about addiction and its consequences, this feels like the end to me.'
Creator Reflects on Finale and Tribute to Angus Cloud
Levinson expressed pride in the show's journey, saying, 'It was such a fulfilling journey in terms of this cast, the crew, what we were able to accomplish.' He noted that Rue's death was a tribute to Angus Cloud, who played Fez and died in 2023 from a drug overdose. 'It's a tragic one in the end, but it's also the truth. If you are experimenting or taking drugs today, it's very possible it will kill you, and I think it was a way of honouring Angus and saying a prayer for the future,' Levinson added.
Other Character Deaths and Fan Reactions
Rue was not the only casualty. Drug boss Laurie (Martha Kelly) dies by suicide to avoid arrest, while her rival Alamo is shot dead by Rue's sponsor Ali (Colman Domingo) in revenge. Fans had long suspected the show's end, given the four-year gap between seasons. During this hiatus, the cast's careers soared: Sydney Sweeney starred in Anyone But You, Jacob Elordi received an Oscar nomination for Frankenstein and entered Bond speculation, and Zendaya featured in Dune, Spider-Man, and the upcoming Shrek 5.
Behind-the-Scenes Drama and Cast Changes
The show faced challenges, including composer Labrinth quitting before season three, rumours of a rift between Zendaya and Levinson, and the tragic death of Angus Cloud. Storm Reid and other actors were cut from the cast. Ahead of the finale, Alexa Demie, who played Maddy Perez, dismissed retirement rumours, telling The Hollywood Reporter, 'People really take the authority out of your hands. What happened to my ability to choose? I like my life like this, and I wouldn't change it.'
The season three finale of Euphoria is available to stream on Sky, NOW, and HBO in the UK.
