The third season of “Euphoria” is finally set to debut on HBO, however the prolonged delay leading as much as its release reportedly became a growing frustration for its lead, Zendaya. Insiders claim much of that tension was directed at creator Sam Levinson, who was said to be at the middle of the holdups.
While production setbacks have been publicly linked to the 2023 actors’ strike and the tragic passing of Angus Cloud, sources claim there’s more brewing beneath the surface. Reports suggest tensions inside the solid, including rumored disagreements between the “Dune” actress and Sydney Sweeney.
Zendaya Frustrated With Sam Levinson Over ‘Euphoria’ Delay
Zendaya is claimed to have reached a breaking point with Levinson over the long-delayed third season of “Euphoria.”
With the installment finally set to premiere on HBO, fans were quick to note that the “Spider-Man” star was not credited as an executive producer, a job she held in the primary two seasons. The change reportedly stemmed from the actress’s reduced involvement within the script development process, though she still played a key role in approving the general storyline.
In line with a source who spoke to Vanity Fair, her packed 2025 schedule made it difficult for her to commit behind the scenes fully.
Still, reports suggest the Emmy winner grew increasingly frustrated with Levinson as delays dragged on, especially after she intentionally kept space in her calendar for “Euphoria,” just for production setbacks to derail those plans.
Zendaya Is Not The Only Dissatisfied ‘Euphoria’ Star
The frustration surrounding delays on Season 3 of “Euphoria” doesn’t look like limited to Zendaya.
On the show’s recent premiere on the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, several solid members raised eyebrows after they noticeably didn’t join Levinson on stage, an unusual move for a serious series launch.
While the celebrities were present and seated for the screening, many reportedly skipped red carpet interviews, avoided group photos, and kept interactions to a minimum.
Meanwhile, longtime collaborator Labrinth appeared to fan the flames with a cryptic Instagram post suggesting he was breaking the collaboration.
“Double f—k ‘Euphoria.’ I’m out. Thanks and good night,” he wrote.
How Levinson ‘Responded To Zendaya’
Amid all of the chatter, Levinson addressed the delays that plagued Season 3 of “Euphoria” throughout the show’s premiere.
In line with Levinson, a mixture of industry-wide disruptions and private losses played a serious role in slowing down production.
“The undeniable fact that we’re actually here and we’re in a position to pull this season off, that’s nothing wanting a miracle,” he said, per Vanity Fair.
He went on to clarify that while the 2023 actors’ strike and the challenge of coordinating a high-demand solid contributed to the gap between seasons, the deeper delay stemmed from the emotional weight of losing members of the “Euphoria” family.
The Death Of Angus Cloud Affected The Script
The long gap between seasons of “Euphoria” was further complicated by heartbreaking losses inside the solid, most notably the death of Cloud.
The actor, who played fan-favorite drug dealer Fezco, died from an accidental overdose in July 2023 at just 25 years old. His passing had a profound impact on Levinson, who admitted that the loss reshaped the show’s direction.
“When Angus died, it was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to maintain him clean,” the filmmaker said.
A Fourth Season Is Highly Unlikely
After the breakout success of “Euphoria,” lots of its solid members quickly became a few of Hollywood’s most in-demand names. This, unironically, made a possible fourth season increasingly difficult to drag off.
Behind the scenes, Levinson also faced his own time constraints. The creator became heavily involved in “The Idol,” a project starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, despite initially not being expected to tackle such a hands-on role.
Zendaya has previously hinted that she kept her schedule flexible in hopes of returning to “Euphoria.”
“I’ll say, I actually have been off for a few years… I’ve been open, just waiting,” Zendaya told Vanity Fair in December 2024.
Sweeney echoed similar frustrations on the time, revealing she needed to pass on major opportunities to stay available for the series.