Meanwhile, the HBO series' star Storm Reid, who plays Zendaya's on-screen sister Gia, also shares that she's not really surprised by the delay and shows optimism about the new season.
- Mar 29, 2024
AceShowbiz - "Euphoria" season 3 is apparently in a limbo amid delay. Even though HBO recently assured fans that the show is not canceled, a new report suggested that the network isn't entirely sure when the new season will ever come.
A source told Variety in a report published on Thursday, March 28, that there's still no clear plan when the production will star. "What the network isn't saying is that no one at HBO is at all sure a third season of 'Euphoria' will ever come to fruition," it stated.
The report also revealed some of the pitched ideas that were turned down amid the many rewrites for season. It was revealed that Zendaya Coleman once pitched the idea of her character Rue Bennett becoming a pregnancy surrogate, but it was rejected. Series creator Sam Levinson also pitched Zendaya's character becoming a private detective, but HBO didn't think it was good enough to give it a go.
Meanwhile, star Storm Reid doesn't think fans should be worried about the HBO series despite its season 3 delay. The actress, who plays Zendaya's on-screen sister Gia, showed optimism that the show will start season 3 production anytime soon.
Speaking to Variety at the opening of USC's School of Dramatic Arts' Drama Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, she said, "I would hope the viewers, the audience will be able to finish the show." Storm added, "I think we should handle the show with care. We've put our hearts and soul into it."
She was later asked if she was surprised by the delay. To that, she responded, "Yes and no. We would all hope to be able to go back tomorrow, but there are logistics that have to be figured out. So even though I'm a little disappointed, I'm not surprised." She continued, "I do know if we do go back that I am sure we will continue to be authentic and represent the real world."
Earlier this week, HBO and the series' creator vowed that they will make the long-awaited season "exceptional" despite the delay. "HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season," an HBO spokesperson said in a statement. "In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities."
The network previously revealed during the special presentation of the HBO and Max 2024 content slate that the Hollywood strikes caused delay on the production of the third season of the popular series. It also announced that the filming for the third season will only start this year as it eyes a 2025 release date.
Storm, meanwhile, wasn't the only "Euphoria" star commenting on the delay. Prior to this, Nika King joked that she was struggling to pay rent for six months due to the show's season 3 delay.
Talking about people who keep asking her about the third season of "Euphoria", the 44-year-old actress said at her comedy show, "Season 3 is coming out… I don't know. Don't ask me. I don't know. It's one of those things. People are like, 'We need season 3.' I'm like, 'I need season 3, too!' I haven't paid my rent in six months."
The Leslie Bennett depicter later name-dropped Zendaya, who plays her on-screen daughter Rue Bennett. "And Zendaya's over in Paris at Fashion Week. I'm like, 'Come home! I need you. Mama need you,' " she continued. When the audience laughed, Nika insisted she was "serious" about what she said, adding that she hadn't booked any jobs since landing her role in "Euphoria".
"This is some bull. I thought my career was on the rise after 'Euphoria'. I thought I was good. It don't work that way," she further noted. "I called [Taraji P. Henson], and she was like, 'B***h, get used to it,' " she added, referring to the "Empire" star's statements about pay disparity for black actresses in the industry.
Nika, however, clarified that she wasn't fully serious during her comedy set. "My reference about 'Euphoria' during my stand-up tour was a lighthearted joke. Most people have seen me portray serious characters on-screen but my roots are in comedy," she explained. "I actually have a few film projects releasing this year that I'm excited about. It's a blessing to craft a career in both drama and comedy."
