Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and principally written by Sam Levinson for HBO. It is based on the Israeli miniseries of the same name created by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin. The series stars an ensemble cast of Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith, Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo, Javon "Wanna" Walton, Austin Abrams and Dominic Fike in main roles.
The series follows Rue Bennett (Zendaya), a troubled teenage drug addict who struggles to get sober, find her place in the world, and adjust to her relationships after rehab. Though Rue is the central focus of the show, the beginning of most episodes provides backstories for the rest of the main characters.
Euphoria's executive producers include Levinson, Canadian rapper and singer Drake, Zendaya, Ron Leshem, and Gary Lennon. The series is both set and filmed in California; filming locations include at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Los Angeles and Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. The series has received generally positive reviews, with praise for its cinematography, score, performances of the cast, and approach to its mature subject matter.
It has also been a subject of controversy for its nudity and sexual content, which critics found excessive due to the high school setting and its teenage characters. It is the fourth most-watched series in HBO history, behind Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and House of the Dragon. The show additionally shares the same universe as Levinson's 2023 television series The Idol.
The first season of Euphoria premiered on June 16, 2019. Two one-hour specials were broadcast in December 2020 and January 2021. The second season premiered on January 9, 2022. In February 2022, the series was renewed for a third season. Filming was primarily halted due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes and the unexpected deaths of Cloud and executive producer Kevin Turen. The third season was initially expected to enter production in December 2023, but was postponed indefinitely. On June 13, 2024, it was confirmed that the season will begin production in January 2025, presumably being set away from the high school setting of the first two seasons.
The series has received numerous accolades, including a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. For her performance, Zendaya has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Critics' Choice Television Award, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance as Rue. Sweeney, Colman Domingo, and Martha Kelly have also received Emmy nominations for their acting, with Domingo winning Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Ali.
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