The long, four-year wait for the return of East Highland’s most dysfunctional alumni is finally coming to an end. After a production cycle plagued by industry strikes, tragic losses, and constant scheduling conflicts, HBO has officially released the first-look trailer for “Euphoria” Season 3.
Mark your calendars: the Emmy-winning cultural juggernaut premieres on April 12, 2026.
This isn’t the high school drama you remember. As creator Sam Levinson previously teased, the new season takes a massive leap forward with a five-year time jump, following the characters as they navigate the harsh realities of early adulthood. The safety net of the classroom is gone, and as the trailer suggests, the consequences of their past choices have finally caught up with them.
A Star-Studded New Ensemble
While the core cast remains the heartbeat of the show, Season 3 is introducing a staggering 18 new cast members. HBO and A24 have clearly pulled out all the stops, bringing in industry heavyweights and unexpected pop-culture icons.
Key New Additions include:
- Danielle Deadwyler: Coming off acclaim for Till and The Piano Lesson.
- Natasha Lyonne: The Poker Face and Russian Doll star brings her signature grit to the fold.
- Rosalía: The Spanish global superstar makes her highly anticipated acting debut.
- Sharon Stone: The legend joins as a showrunner whom Lexi Howard is now assisting.
- Marshawn Lynch: The NFL icon continues his transition into acting after a scene-stealing role in Bottoms.
- Trisha Paytas: In one of the most talked-about casting moves, the internet personality joins the ensemble in a mystery role.
Where Are They Now? The 5-Year Time Jump
The trailer gives us glimpses into the lives of our favorite characters, five years after the explosive Season 2 finale:
- Rue (Zendaya): Currently in Mexico and still deeply in debt to the terrifying drug dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly). The trailer ominously reminds us that “The devil always collects.”
- Cassie & Nate (Sydney Sweeney & Jacob Elordi): In a shocking twist, the two are now engaged and living in the suburbs. While Cassie is addicted to the “perfect” life on social media, the cracks in their domestic bliss are wide open.
- Jules (Hunter Schafer): Now in art school, Jules is struggling with the pressure of her burgeoning career as a painter while trying to avoid the responsibilities of adulthood.
- Maddy (Alexa Demie): Working at a high-end Hollywood talent agency, Maddy is finally in her element, juggling industry side-hustles with her trademark fire.
- Lexi (Maude Apatow): The playwright has transitioned into the professional world, working as an assistant to a powerhouse showrunner (Sharon Stone).
Honoring the Absence
The return is bittersweet. Season 3 will be the first without Angus Cloud, who tragically passed away in 2023. His character, Fezco, was left on a devastating cliffhanger at the end of Season 2. While the show will have to address his absence, fans are eager to see how the story honors one of its most beloved figures. Additionally, Barbie Ferreira (Kat) and Storm Reid (Gia) will not be returning for this installment.
Season 3 Production Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Premiere Date | April 12, 2026 |
| Network/Streamer | HBO & Max |
| Episode Count | 8 Episodes |
| Core Theme | Faith, Redemption, and the Problem of Evil |
| Format | Weekly Sunday Night Releases |
The trailer confirms that “Euphoria” hasn’t lost its visual splendor or its penchant for raw, unflinching storytelling. As these “childhood friends wrestle with the virtue of faith,” one thing is certain: Sunday nights are about to get a lot more intense.