After nearly 4 years off the air, Euphoria is returning with its most ambitious season yet. Euphoria Season 3 of the HBO drama is shaping up to be the costliest in the series, driven largely by steep salary hikes for its now A-list cast.
What began as a gritty teen drama has evolved into a global pop culture phenomenon, turning its lead actors into bankable stars. As production ramps up, attention is shifting from the storyline to the numbers behind the scenes.
Euphoria Season 3 Cast
Euphoria Season 3: Main Returning Cast
Zendaya as Rue Bennett
Rue is the central character, a recovering drug addict narrating the story as she tries to find stability in her life and relationships. Zendaya’s performance has been widely acclaimed, earning her multiple awards, including Emmys.
Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn
Jules is a transgender teen whose friendship and romantic connection with Rue is a core emotional thread of the series. Schafer’s portrayal has been praised for its depth and nuance.
Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs
Nate is an intense, physically imposing athlete with complex psychological struggles. His volatile behaviour drives much of the drama around masculinity and control in the series.
Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard
Cassie, known for her tumultuous relationships and vulnerability around intimacy and self-worth, has remained one of the most talked-about characters. In Season 3, Cassie’s arc takes a dramatic turn as she navigates life post-high school.
Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez
Maddy is Cassie’s best friend — confident, stylish, and often explosive. Her complex on-again/off-again relationship with Nate remains a focal point throughout the series.
Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard
Lexi is Cassie’s younger sister and Rue’s longtime friend, often serving as the emotional grounding for other characters.
Colman Domingo as Ali Muhammed
Ali is Rue’s sponsor in Narcotics Anonymous, who becomes a mentor figure. His grounded wisdom provides a stark contrast to the chaotic youth around him.
Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs
Cal is Nate’s father with a dangerously hidden past, revealing the show’s darker themes about secrecy and identity.
Barbie Ferreira as Kat Hernandez
Kat is a body-conscious teen exploring her emerging sexuality and independence. She was a series regular in early seasons but didn’t return for Season 3.
Angus Cloud as Fezco “Fez” O’Neill
Fez is Rue’s loyal friend and a local dealer whose protective instincts stand out — his actor tragically passed away in 2023, and the show mourns both character and creator legacy.
Supporting/Recurring (Season 2 & ongoing)
- Austin Abrams as Ethan Daley
- Dominic Fike as Elliot
- Chloe Cherry as Faye
- Javon Walton as Ashtray
- Martha Kelly as Laurie
Euphoria Season 3: New & Expanded Cast
Season 3, set to premiere in April 2026, introduces both major cast additions and a wider ensemble of new characters reflecting the show’s jump five years into the future.
High-Profile New Additions
Natasha Lyonne – acclaimed actor known for Russian Doll
Trisha Paytas – internet personality, joining the ensemble
Eli Roth – actor/director taking on an undisclosed role
Danielle Deadwyler – award-winning actor added to the cast
Euphoria Season 3: Why is it So Expensive?
Euphoria Season 3 reportedly carries a production budget close to USD 200 million, translating to roughly USD 25 million per episode. A major reason for this jump is the cast’s renegotiated contracts. Since the show’s debut in 2019, many actors have become global stars, giving them strong leverage in salary talks.
Euphoria Season 3: Who is the Highest-Paid Actor?
Zendaya, who plays Rue Bennett, leads the pay scale. According to Puck News journalist Matthew Belloni, she secured a deal worth USD 1 million per episode after renegotiating her contract.
She also serves as an executive producer, which strengthens her position. If accurate, this would place Zendaya among the highest-paid actors currently working in television. HBO has not officially commented on the figure.
What’s New in Euphoria Season 3 Story?
Season 3 introduces a major time jump. The characters have moved on from high school and entered adulthood. Rue is shown living in Mexico and dealing with the fallout of her past choices. Nate and Cassie are now married, but their relationship appears unstable.
Maddy has moved to Hollywood and works at a talent agency, while Jules is attending art school. The season will also include a tribute to the late Angus Cloud, who played Fez.
Euphoria Season 3: When and Where to Watch
Euphoria Season 3 premieres on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The first episode will air on HBO at 9:00 PM ET and stream simultaneously on HBO Max. The season will feature eight episodes, releasing weekly on Sundays.
