The 7 Most Shocking Career Pivots Of The Euphoria Cast (And When Season 3 Finally Drops)

The global phenomenon of Euphoria has launched its main cast into a new stratosphere of Hollywood stardom, transforming them from teenage drama stars to A-list movie icons. As of late 2025, the anticipation for the show's third season is at an all-time high, especially following the news that production has finally kicked off. This article dives deep into the current status of the main cast, their shocking and diverse career projects throughout 2024 and 2025, and the definitive, most up-to-date information on the long-awaited return of the HBO Max series.

The careers of Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi have exploded, with each actor taking on critically acclaimed and blockbuster roles that showcase their versatility far beyond the halls of East Highland High. From Oscar-bait dramas to major superhero franchises, the Euphoria cast has cemented its status as the most in-demand ensemble in modern television, making the wait for the next chapter of Rue, Cassie, and Nate's story almost unbearable.

The Main East Highland Ensemble: Full Biography and Latest Projects (2024-2025)

The core cast of Euphoria, led by show creator Sam Levinson, has used their platform to secure some of the most coveted roles in the industry. Here is a complete profile and an exhaustive list of their most recent and upcoming film and television projects, highlighting their incredible topical authority outside of the HBO Max drama.

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Zendaya as Ruby "Rue" Bennett

• Full Name: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
• Date of Birth: September 1, 1996 (Age 29 in 2025)
• Role in Euphoria: Rue Bennett, the show's narrator and protagonist struggling with drug addiction and sobriety.
• Career Highlights: Two-time Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria; known for her work in the Spider-Man trilogy and the Dune franchise.
• 2024-2025 Projects & Entities:
  • Dune: Part Two (2024): Reprised her role as Chani in Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic.
  • Challengers (2024): Starred as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, in Luca Guadagnino's romantic sports drama.
  • Upcoming: Rumored to be involved in The Drama, The Odyssey, and the next installment of the Spider-Man series, Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard

• Full Name: Sydney Bernice Sweeney
• Date of Birth: September 12, 1997 (Age 28 in 2025)
• Role in Euphoria: Cassie Howard, Maddy's best friend whose tumultuous personal life often leads to emotional outbursts.
• Career Highlights: Breakout role in The White Lotus (Season 1); established her own production company, Fifty-Fifty Films.
• 2024-2025 Projects & Entities:
  • Anyone But You (2024): Starred in and executive produced the highly successful romantic comedy.
  • Madame Web (2024): Appeared as Julia Cornwall in the Sony/Marvel superhero film.
  • Immaculate (2024): Starred in and produced the horror film.
  • Upcoming: Set to star in Echo Valley, Christy, and The Housemaid in 2025.

Jacob Elordi as Nathaniel "Nate" Jacobs

• Full Name: Jacob Elordi
• Date of Birth: June 26, 1997 (Age 28 in 2025)
• Role in Euphoria: Nate Jacobs, the privileged, volatile athlete with deep-seated anger issues.
• Career Highlights: Rose to fame with The Kissing Booth films; received critical acclaim for his roles in Saltburn and Priscilla.
• 2024-2025 Projects & Entities:
  • Saltburn (2023/2024): Gained significant awards buzz for his role as Felix Catton.
  • Priscilla (2023/2024): Portrayed Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola's biopic.
  • Oh, Canada (2024): Starred alongside Richard Gere and Uma Thurman in the Paul Schrader drama.
  • Upcoming: Cast as the Frankenstein Monster in Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein (2025).

Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn

• Full Name: Hunter Schafer
• Date of Birth: December 31, 1998 (Age 26 in 2025)
• Role in Euphoria: Jules Vaughn, a transgender girl who moves to East Highland and forms a complex relationship with Rue.
• Career Highlights: A prominent model and LGBTQ+ activist before her acting debut in Euphoria.
• 2024-2025 Projects & Entities:
  • The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023): Starred as Tigris Snow.
  • Kinds of Kindness (2024): Appeared in Yorgos Lanthimos's anthology film.
  • Cuckoo (2024): Took a leading role in the horror film, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
  • Upcoming: Set to star in the drama film Mother Mary.

Alexa Demie as Madeleine "Maddy" Perez

• Full Name: Alexa Demie
• Date of Birth: December 11, 1990 (Age 34 in 2025)
• Role in Euphoria: Maddy Perez, a fierce, confident, and dramatic high school student with an on-again, off-again relationship with Nate.
• Career Highlights: Known for her roles in films like Mid90s and Waves.
• 2024-2025 Projects & Entities:
  • Fantasmas (2024): Starred in the new HBO Max surrealist comedy series created by Julio Torres.
  • Upcoming: While she is confirmed to return for Euphoria Season 3, her focus has been on selective projects and creative endeavors outside of the show.

The Long-Awaited Return: Euphoria Season 3 Updates and New Cast

The hiatus between Season 2 and the upcoming Season 3 has been one of the longest in recent television history, fueled by production delays, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the demanding schedules of its now mega-famous cast. However, the wait is nearing its end, with concrete updates finally emerging from A24 and HBO.

When Will Euphoria Season 3 Be Released?

The most current and official information confirms that Euphoria Season 3 is targeting an April 2026 release date. This extended timeline is due to the fact that filming, which was originally slated for 2024, officially began in early 2025. The production is known for its intense and cinematic shooting style, which requires a lengthy process, ensuring that the new episodes maintain the show's signature visual and narrative quality.

The show’s creator, Sam Levinson, has reportedly been working to ensure the scripts reflect the characters' maturation, which will place them outside of high school. This narrative jump is expected to see the characters dealing with post-graduate life, offering a fresh, more mature take on their struggles with identity, love, and addiction.

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Major New Characters Joining the Cast

To keep the narrative fresh and introduce new dynamics, Season 3 is set to introduce a roster of new, high-profile talent. The additions promise to shake up the existing character relationships and expand the world of the show beyond East Highland. Confirmed new cast members include major industry names:

• Natasha Lyonne (known for Russian Doll and Orange Is the New Black)
• Danielle Deadwyler (known for Till and The Harder They Fall)
• Eli Roth (known for directing horror films like Hostel)

These established actors will be joined by emerging talents such as Bella Podaras and Bill Bodner, signaling a significant expansion of the show's ensemble and narrative scope. The inclusion of such diverse talent underscores the show’s commitment to maintaining its cultural relevance and high production value.

The Cast's Global Influence: Beyond East Highland and Controversies

The Euphoria cast has become a dominant force in fashion, film, and pop culture, often leveraging their on-screen personas to amplify their off-screen careers. Their global influence is undeniable, but it has not been without its challenges and controversies, a topic often discussed by fans and media.

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The 'Curse' of the Breakout Role

One of the biggest entities related to the cast is the discussion of breaking away from their iconic roles. Zendaya has successfully navigated this by choosing diverse projects like Dune and the critically acclaimed Malcolm & Marie, demonstrating her range far beyond Rue Bennett. Similarly, Jacob Elordi's dark, complex roles in Saltburn and as Elvis in Priscilla have completely overshadowed his earlier work in The Kissing Booth, proving his dramatic depth.

Sydney Sweeney has also made a massive impact, not just with her acting in *The White Lotus* but by strategically producing her own films, such as *Immaculate*, giving her creative control over her career trajectory. This strategic approach highlights the cast’s understanding of the modern media landscape, turning their Euphoria fame into long-term artistic and commercial success.

The Topical Authority of the Euphoria Universe

The show itself has created a vast topical universe, frequently sparking debates on sensitive issues like drug abuse, toxic masculinity (embodied by Nate Jacobs), mental health, and the complexities of modern teenage relationships. The series' distinct visual style, often credited to director and cinematographer Marcell Rév, and its raw storytelling have made it a benchmark for teen dramas, influencing everything from fashion trends to high school conversations.

The continued success of the cast in major franchises and prestige projects like Dune, Challengers, and the upcoming Frankenstein further solidifies the Euphoria brand as a powerhouse of talent. The anticipation for Season 3, despite the long wait, is a testament to the enduring curiosity and dedication of the fanbase, who are eager to see how Rue, Jules, Nate, Cassie, and Maddy's stories will evolve in a post-high school world. The 2026 release will undoubtedly be one of the most significant television events of the year.