What's happened
The third season of HBO's 'Euphoria' premieres five years after the second, delayed by strikes and cast commitments. It features the cast now in adult roles, but faces criticism for inconsistent storytelling and character development, with some stars hampered by writing choices.
What's behind the headline?
The return of 'Euphoria' highlights the challenges of balancing star power and narrative coherence. The show’s shift to adult characters has been met with criticism, as it struggles to maintain the depth of its original portrayal. The casting changes and tragic deaths have impacted its storytelling, leading to a narrative that relies more on external threats than character-driven conflicts. Zendaya, Elordi, and Sweeney, who launched their careers on the show, now face material that underuses their talents, risking their star trajectories. The series' attempt to depict a darker, more chaotic adult life appears to have compromised its core strengths, risking alienation of its dedicated audience. The future of the series depends on whether it can regain narrative focus and character consistency, or if it will continue to falter under the weight of its own ambitions.
What the papers say
The Independent notes the show's premiere in 2019 and its cast's subsequent rise, including Zendaya's film commitments and Jacob Elordi’s Oscar nomination. The New York Times discusses the delays caused by the 2023 strikes and the cast's Hollywood success, as well as the deaths of Angus Cloud and Eric Dane, which have affected production. The NY Post criticizes Season 3 for its chaotic storytelling and character inconsistencies, highlighting how the show has shifted from its original focus on inner struggles to external chaos, with some characters acting out of character. These contrasting perspectives underscore the tension between the show's artistic ambitions and its execution, with some viewing it as a necessary evolution and others as a decline in quality.
How we got here
The series, launched in 2019, follows high school students navigating complex issues. Its delay was caused by the 2023 writers and actors strikes, alongside the cast's rising Hollywood careers. The show has also experienced the loss of key cast members Angus Cloud and Eric Dane during its hiatus.
Go deeper
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Jacob Elordi (born 26 June 1997) is an Australian actor. His accolades include a Critics' Choice Movie Award and two AACTA Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, three British Academy Film Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Elordi rose.
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Sydney Bernice Sweeney is an American actress. She appeared in the Netflix series Everything Sucks! and has taken on recurring roles in the Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale and the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects.
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Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman ( zen-DAY-ə; born September 1, 1996) is an American actress and singer. Her accolades include two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, and Time included her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world
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Eric Dane is an American actor. After multiple television roles throughout the 2000s and his recurring role as Jason Dean in Charmed, he became famous for playing Dr.
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Angus Cloud is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Fezco in the HBO television series Euphoria.
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