Eddy Chen/HBO The third season of Euphoria is officially come back after a major delay - but not every fan favorite is returning for more episodes of the show. Euphoria, which premiered in 2019, follows troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggles to remain sober after rehab. The ensemble cast initially included Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow, Colman Domingo and more. The hit HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took nearly three years for the episodes to air, with the network ordering two individual specials about the aftermath of Rue and Jules' (Schafer) breakup in the meantime. Season 3 was originally set to air on HBO in 2025 before facing several obstacles, including creator Sam Levinson's commitment to his short-lived series The Idol. The dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which took place in late 2023, prolonged the delay. When Is 'Euphoria' Coming Back? What the Cast Has Said About Season 3 Amid Delays "We've been through strikes before, you know, they increase the cost," HBO CEO Casey Bloys said in November 2023 about production costs potentially increasing as a result. "I don't see a scenario where I go, 'Well, I was going to make another tentpole show, but now I'm not going to because we have to pay X amount more.' I don't think it works like that." Production was ultimately delayed again without an official start date. "HBO and [creator] Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season," a spokesperson for the network told Us Weekly in March. "In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities." It has since been confirmed that Euphoria started production in early 2025. "We've talked about it, I don't think anything is over until it's over, but it's been discussed that this is the end," HBO's head of drama Francesca Orsi shared in February 2025. "I think you will be very satisfied with this season, and how we bring each of the characters' whole narrative." Several crucial cast members have confirmed their exits though. Keep scrolling to see which Euphoria characters are returning for season 3 - and which aren't: Rue Bennett Eddy Chen/HBO Before production began, Zendaya clarified that her busy schedule had nothing to do with the wait. "I will say, I have been off for a couple years," she told Vanity Fair in November 2024 when asked about the show's future. "[Euphoria is] not delayed because of [me] ... I've been open, just waiting." The actress said she was "waiting" for updates on the hit HBO series, adding, "I'm actually going to start filming a project soon before Euphoria, and I'm like, 'Man, I'm rusty. I haven't been on a set in, like, two years almost.' I'm a little bit terrified. I'm like, 'Can I even do this anymore?' I don't know." She concluded: "[Euphoria] is slated for January [2025], I believe. I haven't read anything yet, but I'm excited to see what everyone has been working on, and what the future looks like for Euphoria." Jules Vaughn Eddy Chen/HBO Schafer mentioned on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast in August 2024 that she has "no f-ing idea what's going on" with season 3. "You can ask literally all of the cast. The real tea is that a lot has happened," Schafer continued while addressing former costar Angus Cloud's death. "I think everyone feels a certain sense of anticipation for if we are supposed to do season 3." She continued: "Obviously, I'm still coming to terms about what's happened and losing people that we really loved and were a part of this family and everything. If we do go back, that's going to be tough." 'Euphoria' Cast: See the Hulu Show's Stars Then and Now Cassie Howard Eddy Chen/HBO Sweeney has made it clear that her schedule has been cleared to return to the show, telling Josh Horowitz in a March 2024 interview, "I go into Euphoria. Maybe [I have seen some scripts already]. I don't know." Her former onscreen love interest Algee Smith, however, isn't coming back. Maddy Perez Eddy Chen/HBO Demie is expected to return as Maddy after playing the character in the first two seasons of Euphoria. Kat Hernandez Eddy Chen/HBO "After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I'm having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye," Barbie Ferreira wrote via her Instagram Story in August 2022. "I hope many of you could see yourself in her like I did and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today. I put all my care and love into her and I hope you guys could feel it." Fez O'Neill Eddy Chen/HBO In July 2023, Cloud died at age 25 following an accidental overdose. Season 3 of Euphoria is expected to address the fate of his character, Fezco. Lexi Howard Eddy Chen/HBO Apatow hasn't discussed the extensive wait for more episodes of Euphoria, but she is expected to reprise the role of Lexi in season 3. Nate Jacobs Eddy Chen/HBO "I hope [we begin filming] soon, or they're going to have to