AceShowbiz - Euphoria opened its third season confronting the absence of Angus Cloud, who played Fez, following his offscreen death from an accidental overdose. The show’s premiere, which aired on Sunday, April 12, made a narrative decision to explain Fez’s disappearance by revealing that his character was serving a 30-year prison sentence.

In a key scene, Rue, portrayed by Zendaya, discusses with Lexi, played by Maude Apatow, attempts to reach Fez but mentions his incarceration. This storyline ties back to the Season 2 finale, where Fez's arrest was left ambiguous, now clarified as a long prison term to justify his absence given the real-life loss of Cloud.

Creator Sam Levinson has publicly addressed how the show chose to honor Angus Cloud within the series despite his passing. Speaking to Variety at the Season 3 premiere on April 7, Levinson explained that many scenes feature other characters communicating with Fez via phone, ensuring the character remains present in the story even if offscreen.

Levinson expressed a desire to keep Fez “alive” through the narrative, saying that while they could not keep Cloud alive in reality, the show could maintain his character’s presence symbolically. This approach was intended not only as a tribute but also as a way to preserve the impact Cloud had on the series and its fans.

He added with emotion, “I think he would be cracking up at his storyline,” and expressed excitement for viewers to see how Fez’s arc unfolds in the remaining episodes of the season.

Euphoria has faced the heartbreaking loss of cast members before, with the recent passing of Eric Dane, who played Cal, in February due to ALS at age 53. Levinson acknowledged that the hiatus between seasons 2 and 3 was influenced by many factors, including industry strikes and scheduling challenges with a busy cast, but also the need to respectfully process and honor those they had lost.

Reflecting on Cloud’s death in 2023, Levinson shared that it was a difficult time. He revealed that Cloud was one of 73,000 people in the United States who died from a fentanyl overdose that year, highlighting the epidemic’s devastating toll. Levinson spoke candidly about the lessons he learned, emphasizing that death gives life meaning and that existence should never be taken for granted.

Before his passing, Cloud had been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health. Levinson described efforts to support the actor during his attempts to stay sober, including encouraging him to enter a 30-day inpatient rehabilitation program. Levinson recalled looking him in the eye and expressing both his love for working together and the importance of sobriety for their shared projects.

Despite these efforts, Levinson acknowledged the complex nature of addiction, explaining that while the world may want someone to recover, the individual must truly want it themselves. He noted that Cloud’s self-destructive tendencies often outweighed the desire to stay clean, but Levinson remained committed to not giving up on him or anyone facing similar battles.

Since its debut in 2019, Euphoria has chronicled the lives of troubled teenagers, focusing on themes like mental illness, toxic relationships, and substance abuse. The series centers on Rue, played by Zendaya, who struggles to maintain sobriety after rehab. The show’s willingness to explore raw and difficult topics has earned critical acclaim as well as a dedicated fanbase.

The cast and crew have endured the pain of losing colleagues during the show’s run, and the handling of Fez’s absence in season 3 serves as both a narrative necessity and a heartfelt tribute. Levinson’s comments reveal the deep personal loss felt behind the scenes and the care taken to preserve Cloud’s legacy within the story.

Euphoria continues to air on HBO Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. For those affected by substance use or mental health issues, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers support through its National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).