“Euphoria” is facing an untimely farewell.
Despite being HBO’s second-most watched show in two decades (behind only the juggernaut “Game of Thrones”), the teen drama is likely to end with its third season, multiple sources tell Page Six exclusively.
We hear the network is “keen on going out with a bang” and hopes to be able to pull off “one final run to wrap it up” — despite repeated production delays.
The Emmy-winning series premiered in June 2019 but has not aired a new episode since February 2022.
Following a slew of postponements, HBO announced last month that it was once again pushing back its plan to begin filming later this spring to let the show’s “in-demand cast,” which includes Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney, “pursue other opportunities.”
However, a spokesperson assured fans at the time, “HBO and [creator] Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season.”
Variety reported last week that Levinson, 39, had pitched a five-year time jump for Season 3 of “Euphoria” — given its stars, most of whom are now in their mid- to late 20s, can no longer realistically portray high school students.
However, after the controversial showrunner turned in drafts of his scripts, HBO reportedly vetoed proposed storylines that would see Zendaya’s drug-addicted character, Rue Bennett, grow up to become either a private detective or a surrogate mother.
The magazine noted that the network promised to let the cast know by Oct. 1 when they are expected to recommence in 2025 for what is expected to be a 25-week, six-episode shoot.
Since Season 2 concluded, the “Euphoria” family has lost three of its key figures: actress Barbie Ferreira exited the series in August 2022 amid reports of tension with Levinson; actor Angus Cloud died at the age of 25 in July 2023 from an accidental drug overdose; and producer Kevin Turen suffered a fatal heart failure at the age of 44 in November 2023.
The main cast members, meanwhile, have been busy at work on blockbuster movies, with Zendaya, 27, starring in “Dune: Part Two” and “Challengers,” Elordi, 26, leading “Priscilla” and “Saltburn” and Sweeney, also 26, fronting “Anyone But You” and “Immaculate.”
Reps for HBO and Levinson did not respond to Page Six’s multiple requests for comment.
