Euphoria 

is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO. It is

based on the Israeli television miniseries of the same name created by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin.
The series follows a group of high school students through their experiences of identity, trauma, drugs,
friendships, love, and sex. It stars Zendaya, alongside an ensemble cast consisting of Maude
Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm
Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith, Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo, Javon Walton, Austin Abrams,
and Dominic Fike.

The series premiered on June 16, 2019. In July 2019, it was renewed for a second season, preceded by
two one-hour specials broadcast in December 2020 and January 2021. The second season premiered on
January 9, 2022.

Since its debut, Euphoria has received positive reviews, with praise for its cinematography, story, score,
performances of the cast (particularly Zendaya and Schafer), and approach to its mature subject matter,
though it was controversial for its nudity and sexual content, which some critics found excessive. The
series received nominations for the British Academy Television Award for Best International Programme,
and the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama. For her performance, Zendaya won
a Primetime Emmy Award and a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

Contents

 1Cast and characters

 2Episodes

o 2.1Season 1 (2019)

o 2.2Specials (2020–21)

o 2.3Season 2 (2022)

 3Production

o 3.1Development

o 3.2Writing

o 3.3Casting

o 3.4Filming

o 3.5Music

 4Reception
 o 4.1Critical response

o 4.2Criticism and controversy

o 4.3Ratings

o 4.4Awards and nominations

 5Notes

 6References

 7External links

Cast and characters[edit]

Main article: List of Euphoria characters

 Zendaya as Rue Bennett, a teenage drug addict who is fresh out of rehab and struggling to find
her place in the world. She serves as the series' narrator.[4]

 Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard, Rue's childhood best friend and Cassie's younger sister.

 Angus Cloud as Fezco, a local drug dealer with a close relationship to Rue.

 Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs, Nate's strict, demanding father with a double life.

 Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez, Nate's on-and-off girlfriend.

 Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs, a high school athlete whose anger issues mask his sexual
insecurities.

 Barbie Ferreira as Kat Hernandez, a girl fighting for body positivity while exploring her sexuality.

 Nika King as Leslie Bennett, Rue and Gia's mother.

 Storm Reid as Gia Bennett, Rue's younger sister.

 Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn, a transgender girl who enters a turbulent relationship with Rue
after moving into town.

 Algee Smith as Chris McKay (seasons 1–2), a young football player and Cassie's boyfriend who
has difficulties adjusting to college.

 Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard, Lexi's older sister and McKay's ex-girlfriend with an
infamous sexual past that continues to haunt her.
  Colman Domingo as Ali ("Trouble Don't Last Always"; recurring season 1–present),[5] a man in
recovery from substance use disorder who often speaks at Rue's Narcotics Anonymous meetings
and eventually becomes her sponsor.

 Javon "Wanna" Walton as Ashtray (season 2; recurring season 1), Fez's "little brother" and a
drug dealer.

 Austin Abrams as Ethan Lewis (season 2; recurring season 1), Kat's love interest.

 Dominic Fike as Elliot (season 2), a new friend of Rue's, who comes between her and Jules.

Episodes[edit]

Originally aired
Season Episodes
First aired Last aired

1 8 June 16, 2019 August 4, 2019

Specials 2 December 6, 2020 January 24, 2021

2 8[6] January 9, 2022 February 27, 2022[6]

Season 1 (2019)[edit]

U.S.
No. No. in Original air
Title Directed by Written by viewers
overall season date
(millions)

Teleplay
Augustine
1 1 "Pilot" by : Sam June 16, 2019 0.577[7]
Frizzell
Levinson

In her childhood, Rue Bennett struggled with a number of issues (among them mental
disorders and her father's death from cancer), which lead to drug addiction in her teens. Now 17,
Rue returns home from rehab and immediately buys drugs from her friend and drug dealer Fezco
("Fez"). Jules, a transgender girl who is new in town, is invited by Kat, a classmate, to a party
hosted by popular college freshman Christopher McKay. Jules decides to first meet up at a motel
with an older man from a hookup app. She lies about her age and they have sex. At the party, Kat
loses her virginity. McKay and his girlfriend Cassie have an uncomfortable sexual encounter, but
discuss it tenderly. Maddy, who recently broke up with star quarterback Nate Jacobs, has public
revenge sex with a partygoer named Tyler. Angered by this, Nate drunkenly harasses Jules, who
threatens Nate with a knife before cutting herself. Jules leaves the party, accompanied by Rue,
who introduces herself and goes home with her. As Nate returns home, he encounters his father,
Cal, who was Jules's hookup.

Featured character: Rue Bennett

"Stuntin' Like My Sam Sam

2 2 June 23, 2019 0.574[9]
Daddy" Levinson Levinson

At 11, Nate discovers his father's collection of homemade videos featuring him having sex with
young gay men and trans women. Upon entering high school, Nate becomes a successful
quarterback who struggles with anger issues and sexual insecurities. In the present, Nate breaks
into Tyler's house and severely beats him, accusing him of raping Maddy at McKay's party after
Maddy falsely tells him she blacked out. On the first day of school, Rue breaks down after being
asked to talk about her summer. Lexi attempts to comfort her, but Rue lashes out at her. Rue
reminisces about trying oxycodone for the first time at 13, stealing from her father's prescription.
Kat discovers that a video of her having sex at McKay's party is circulating online and realizes she
can make money as a camgirl. Jules starts messaging with an anonymous male high school
student. McKay spends time with Cassie and accuses her of being too sexually forward. Mouse,
Fezco's intimidating supplier, coerces Rue into trying fentanyl. It is revealed that the man Jules is
texting is Nate, using the name "Tyler".

Featured character: Nate Jacobs. The title of this episode is a reference to the

2006 Birdman and Lil Wayne song "Stuntin' Like My Daddy", the first single from their
collaborative studio album Like Father, Like Son.[8]

Sam Sam
3 3 "Made You Look" June 30, 2019 0.493[10]
Levinson Levinson

A young Kat abruptly gains weight on a family vacation. Her middle-school boyfriend, Daniel,
breaks up with her. She retreats into the world of romance and becomes a popular online fan
fiction writer. In the present, Kat starts to work as a cam girl, catering to a series of submissive
men with financial domination fetishes. Jules tells Rue she will not remain friends with her if she
keeps using drugs. At her Narcotics Anonymous meeting, Rue says she is 60 days sober; another
attendee, Ali, tells her he knows she is lying. Rue helps Jules take nude photos of herself after Nate
sends her a dick pic. Rue steals pills from Jules's kitchen. Maddy is shocked to find dick pics on
Nate's phone. Rue and Jules argue after Jules reveals her plans to meet "Tyler" alone at night.
Shortly thereafter, Rue goes to Jules's house to apologize and ends up kissing her. Panicked at the
thought of alienating Jules, Rue visits Fez to get drugs, but, afraid for her well-being, he refuses to
sell her any and locks her out of his house. Upset, Rue blames Fez for her addiction. She calls Ali
for help.

Featured character: Kat Hernandez. The title of this episode is a reference to the 2002 Nas song
"Made You Look" from his sixth studio album, God's Son.

Sam Sam
4 4 "Shook Ones Pt. II" July 7, 2019 0.609[11]
Levinson Levinson

Aged 11, Jules is admitted to a psychiatric hospital because of her gender dysphoria and issues
with self-harm. Later, she begins transitioning. In the present day, at a carnival, Nate and Maddy
have an argument, and Nate grabs her by the throat after she insults his family. McKay upsets
Cassie by refusing to acknowledge her as his girlfriend. Cassie and Maddy take MDMA. Cassie flirts
with a classmate, Kat's childhood sweetheart Daniel. Jules recognizes Cal as her hookup. Kat hangs
out with a classmate, Ethan (who has a crush on her), but becomes jealous when she incorrectly
assumes he is flirting with another girl and ends up having sex with an older boy. Rue looks for her
sister, Gia, and finds her high on marijuana. Cal confronts Jules, begging her not to reveal their
secret; she assures him that she will not tell anyone. After the carnival, Jules meets up with "Tyler"
and discovers he is Nate. Nate wants to date Jules, but she refuses; Nate then threatens to report
the nudes Jules has sent him as child pornography unless she keeps quiet about her relationship
with his father. Jules goes to Rue's house and they kiss.

Featured character: Jules Vaughn. The title of this episode is a reference to the 1995 Mobb
Deep song "Shook Ones (Part II)" from the duo's second album, The Infamous.[8]

"'03 Bonnie and Jennifer Sam

5 5 July 14, 2019 0.579[12]
Clyde" Morrison Levinson

As a child, Maddy lost interest in the idea of working after her mother stopped her from
participating in beauty pageants. She eventually found herself caught in a toxic relationship with
Nate, culminating in his attack on her at the carnival. In the present day, Rue tells her mother that
she is dating Jules. Maddy tries to hide the injuries on her neck, but they are discovered after she
passes out at school and a police investigation begins; Maddy's mother presses charges against
Nate. Jules gets frustrated when Rue dismisses her situation with Cal. Ali does not believe that
Rue's and Jules's relationship will last, scaring Rue. Cassie reconciles with McKay, who apologizes
for his behavior at the carnival. Kat is cold toward Ethan, who does not understand why. Kat has a
sexual encounter with a clothing store clerk about whom she had previously fantasized. Rue
apologizes to Lexi for having been a bad friend and invites her to go rollerskating with her and
Jules. Cal questions the effects his closeted nature has had on his children. Maddy meets Nate at a
motel. After rollerskating, Jules takes Rue home with her, but cannot sleep.

Featured character: Maddy Perez. The title of this episode is a reference to the 2002 Jay-
Z and Beyoncé song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" from his seventh studio album, The Blueprint 2: The Gift
& The Curse.[8]

Pippa Sam
6 6 "The Next Episode" July 21, 2019 0.569[14]
Bianco Levinson

Growing up, McKay is coached by his father to become a successful football player. When he
reaches college, he realizes he has little chance of being recruited by a professional team. In the
present day, Nate is suspended from school and socially ostracized. Nate breaks into Tyler's
apartment and coerces him into confessing to choking Maddy. He also blackmails Jules into telling
the police that she saw Tyler attack Maddy. Cassie attends a Halloween party with McKay, where
he is violently hazed[13] by his fraternity brothers. He then has aggressive sex with Cassie, which
leaves her in tears. The next night, Daniel hosts a party. Rue worries about Jules, who is drinking
heavily and expresses uncertainty towards her relationship. Rue apologizes to Fez for lashing out
at him. Kat hooks up with Ethan but ditches him when he visits the bathroom. When Cassie
refuses to have sex with Daniel, he insults her. At home, Cassie realizes her period is late. Nate and
Maddy arrive at Daniel's party and are applauded by the partygoers. Rue becomes suspicious
when she sees Jules's reaction.

Featured character: Chris McKay. The title of this episode is a reference to the third single, "The
Next Episode", from American rapper Dr. Dre's 1999 studio album 2001, featuring Snoop Dogg.

"The Trials and

Tribulations of Sam Sam
7 7 July 28, 2019 0.549[15]
Trying to Pee While Levinson Levinson
Depressed"

Cassie's parents get divorced when she is in her early teens. After a car accident, her father
descends into drug addiction and poverty and abandons their family. She frequently enters
exploitative sexual relationships with her peers until she meets McKay. In the present, Rue falls
into a manic depression after Jules grows distant. After she and Lexi figure out what Nate did to
Jules, Rue asks Fez to intimidate him. He does so, but Nate retaliates by anonymously reporting
Fez to the police, forcing Fez and Ashtray to dispose of their stash when the police come to their
home. Maddy confronts Kat over her new, assertive persona. Kat ends a cam session with a high-
paying client when it makes her uncomfortable. Cassie tells McKay she is pregnant. He is
overwhelmed and suggests she get an abortion. Jules visits TC, a friend from her old town, and
meets TC's roommate, Anna. Jules and Anna go clubbing, take psychedelics, and share a sexual
experience, during which Jules hallucinates about both Nate and Rue. She texts Rue the next
morning to tell her that she misses her.

Featured character: Cassie Howard

"And Salt the Earth Sam Sam

8 8 August 4, 2019 0.530[16]
Behind You" Levinson Levinson

Rue and Jules reconcile as Rue recovers in the hospital after a kidney infection. Nate is unable to
sexually perform with Maddy, who confronts him about his sexuality, driving Nate to attack her.
Maddy steals the video of Cal and Jules that Nate has in his possession, later watching it in shock.
Nate wins his final high-school football game, but Cal criticizes his performance. Nate attempts to
fight him, but after being subdued, begins to hit himself, leaving Cal shaken. Cassie terminates her
pregnancy with her family's support. Fez breaks into Mouse's supplier's house and robs him in
order to pay Mouse. At their school's winter formal, Kat seeks out Ethan and apologizes for her
behavior. Rue confronts Nate, threatening to expose Cal. Nate taunts her about Jules's loyalty.
After spending the night trying to make each other jealous, Nate and Maddy decide to peacefully
end their relationship. Jules tells Rue that she is in love with both her and Anna. Rue and Jules
decide to run away from their town together, but Rue backs out at the last minute and Jules leaves
on a train alone. Returning home, heartbroken, Rue snorts oxycodone and experiences a vivid,
musical hallucination.

Specials (2020–21)[edit]

U.S.
No. No. in Directed
Title Written by Original air date viewers
overall specials by
(millions)

"Trouble
Don't Last Sam Sam
9 1 December 6, 2020[c] 0.236[18]
Always" Levinson Levinson
"Part 1: Rue"

On Christmas Eve, after her relapse, an intoxicated Rue sits at a diner with Ali to reflect on her
addiction. Rue admits that she willingly relapsed; Ali reminds her that addiction is a disease, and
emphasizes the importance of committing to a cause greater than herself. Rue attempts to blame
Jules for her relapse, but Ali points out that Rue had been saving the pills she took, suggesting that
she was never serious about staying clean. He also notes that Rue never officially acknowledged
her relationship with Jules. Rue eventually admits that she feels guilty about her treatment of her
family (particularly her mother) and that she is suicidal. Ali argues that drugs fundamentally
change a person; he reveals that he grew up with an abusive father for whom he harbored deep
hatred, only to become violent with his wife after developing a drug addiction, estranging his
daughters. Ali tells Rue that a refusal to forgive oneself for one's mistakes is what prevents
personal growth, and that he has faith in her ability to improve.

Featured character: Rue Bennett

"Fuck
Anyone Sam
Who's Not a Sam Levinson
10 2 January 24, 2021[d] 0.109[20]
Sea Blob" Levinson & Hunter
"Part 2: Schafer
Jules"

On Christmas Eve, after leaving Rue behind at the train station, Jules attends her first therapy
session. She says Rue is the only person she believes loved her for who she truly is, but admits
resenting the burden of having to preserve Rue's sobriety by being constantly available to her.
Flashbacks reveal that Jules's mother was recovering from addiction during the events of season 1,
but was hospitalized as the result of a relapse after overhearing Jules admit she cannot forgive her
for abandoning her as a child. Jules's therapist observes that Jules's complicated feelings about
Rue closely resemble those she has about her own mother. Jules further confides that she is still in
love with "Tyler", the fake online persona Nate used to communicate with her, despite knowing
that their relationship is a fantasy. Jules tells her therapist that she is contemplating going off
her hormone replacement therapy due to her evolving notion of her own femininity, which she
believes she has expressed only to please men. Upon returning home, Jules receives a surprise
visit from Rue, who says she is on her way to meet Ali. Jules tries to apologize to Rue for leaving
her, but an emotional Rue simply wishes Jules a merry Christmas before abruptly leaving. Jules
breaks down crying in her bedroom.

Featured character: Jules Vaughn

Season 2 (2022)[edit]

No. No. in Directed Written

Title Original air date [6] U.S.
overall season by by
viewers
 (millions)

"Trying to Get to
Sam Sam
11 1 Heaven Before They January 9, 2022 0.254[22]
Levinson Levinson
Close the Door"

As a child, Fezco was taken in by his grandmother, who introduced him to the drug trade. In a
continuation of a scene from the season one finale, Ashtray kills Mouse with a hammer. On New
Year's Eve, an intoxicated Rue accompanies Fez and Ashtray to a particularly intense drug deal
(which ultimately succeeds) before attending a large house party. At a convenience store, a
drunken Cassie runs into Nate, who offers her a ride to the party; upon arriving, the two have sex
in the bathroom and are nearly interrupted by Maddy, forcing Cassie to hide in the bathtub. Rue
takes a concoction of drugs with a boy named Elliot and nearly enters cardiac arrest before taking
Adderall to stabilize her heartrate. Outside, she and Jules reunite, where Rue tells Jules that she
relapsed the night Jules left her at the train station. Later, the two confess their feelings and kiss.
Fez has a conversation with Lexi and they exchange phone numbers. He then confronts Nate and
viciously beats him until the other partygoers stop him.

Featured characters: Fezco and Ashtray. The title of the episode is a reference to "Tryin' to Get to
Heaven" by Bob Dylan.[21]

Sam Sam
12 2 "Out of Touch" January 16, 2022 0.279[24]
Levinson Levinson

Nate recovers from his beating by Fezco in the hospital and refuses to tell his father who attacked
him. He finds himself strongly attracted to Cassie, who has been undergoing a depressive episode
since her abortion and feels uneasy without a boyfriend. Cassie continues to see Nate despite the
guilt she feels at betraying Maddy, who is still in love with Nate. Jules becomes insecure about
Rue's friendship with Elliot, unaware that the two have been frequently taking drugs together. Kat
begins losing interest in Ethan. Cal begins investigating Nate's assault and pressures Cassie into
naming Fez as the perpetrator; he and Fez have a tense standoff at Fez's convenience store, which
Lexi witnesses. Cal then confronts Nate, who reveals that he is aware of Cal's secret sexual
exploits, including the video of him and Jules. Cal asks if Nate has the recording, but Nate smiles
without answering.

Featured character: Nate Jacobs. The title of the episode is a reference to the 1984 Hall &
Oates single "Out of Touch", from their 12th studio album, Big Bam Boom.[23]
 "Ruminations: Big Sam Sam
13 3 January 23, 2022 0.264[25]
and Little Bullys" Levinson Levinson

As a teenager, Cal experience