Despite the fact that the series «"Euphoria"» After only three seasons, it remains one of HBO's most-watched and talked about series. Case in point: the finale, which was watched by nearly 9 million viewers in three days, also sparked an online outcry over the fate of one of the main characters, Rue, played by Zendaya. She died of a fatal fentanyl overdose after battling drug addiction throughout the series.
But for the series' creator, writer, and director, Sam Levinson, it was the inevitable ending to the tragic story of addiction he wanted to tell. "It wasn't what I wanted for Rue, but it was an honest ending," Levinson told Gold Derby. "I think if this makes someone think twice about taking a pill, then I've done my job.".
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Levinson says he didn't always intend this fate for Rue, but the death of series star Angus Cloud in 2023 from a fentanyl overdose left him devastated and forever changed the fates of not only Rue but also the rest of the characters we've followed since the show's premiere in 2019. Euphoria received nine nominations in its first season and 16 in its second, including wins for lead actress Zendaya and guest star Colman Domingo.
In this interview with Gold Derby, Levinson opens up about why he chose to tell this particular story, even though it was painful for him and Zendaya, why Ali (Colman Domingo) became his avenging angel, and whether he's open to more.
HBO» src=»https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J0L88VGBdwV1rWDjFE4oyw—/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDt oPTU1NztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/gold_derby_993/516ac4927c4e0b50dc236b3b3370c718″> Angus Cloud in Season 2 of Euphoria (HBO).
Do you understand why fans are upset about her death?
On 100%. But I also don't create a show for fans in the sense that you know I'll give them what they want and expect. I create a show for viewers, and for viewers who are willing to come to terms with uncomfortable truths, even painful ones.
It is also disappointing that she was not even given a funeral or memorial service.
Look, I think Rue's desire to have closure and have an emotional catharsis with each character before she dies doesn't really capture the reality of addiction or overdose. Things are left unfinished, a lot is left unsaid. There's a lot of regret, and even the idea of a funeral seems cheap and sentimental to me in the sense that, okay, they go to the funeral, we see everyone crying or not crying, someone gives a eulogy, and then what? I'm not really interested in that. I think the real point is Ali's reaction, the realization of how much emotion he invested in her, how much he loved her and cared for her. It's about how pain transforms inside another person, especially when you live in a time when 75,000 people a year die from fentanyl overdoses, when you hit a roadblock and say to yourself, "You know what, maybe the path of therapy and talking about everything isn't so helpful after all." Maybe I really should go and kill these people who are poisoning children. I think it's an interesting aspect of human nature worth exploring, and it fits well with the Western mythology we've been working with all season.
What is it about Westerns that appeals to you so much that inspired you to build this season around that theme?
I think these are stories about America, stories about who we are as a people, and they distill these larger themes of redemption, moral degradation, lawlessness into very simple stories. I loved how it fit into our universe, in the sense that we're entering a new frontier in terms of business, the economy, employment opportunities, the scale of social breakdown, fentanyl deaths. It feels a bit like a time of lawlessness, and all sorts of new, unregulated businesses are emerging, from OnlyFans to TikTok influencers. It just feels like this is our frontier, and this is where we're heading, and we have yet to figure out how to organize it in terms of society and its consequences. So I was excited to look at the modern world through the lens of an older perspective.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Alamo BrownEddie Chen/HBO
Was Ali originally intended to be an avenging angel for Rue?
When I found out that Ru was going to die soon, yes.
What was it about Coleman that gave you confidence that he could do it?
I've been working with Colman for 10 years now. I'm constantly amazed by his depth, his seriousness, his ease, and his sheer devotion to the character. I wasn't afraid he could pull it off because he has such a deep humanity, both as a person and as an actor, that I knew the pain of losing Roo would be conveyed, and the pain would be conveyed. And as long as the scene in NA, where he comes to that logical conclusion that he needs to serve better, as long as those moments are touching and we can relate to that, we'll be with him. It was interesting: we showed the finale in Brooklyn with about 600 people, and when Roo dies, you could hear people crying, you could hear a pin drop, and then when Ali shows up in that club with a shotgun and kills Alamo Brown, the whole room just exploded with applause. It was a really exciting experience, and I think that since he's also playing a character with very ambiguous morals, it's a testament to his acting skills and to people's love for Rue.
Colman Domingo in the series finale of "Euphoria" (Photo: Patrick Wymore/HBO)
And then at the end you bring him to this religious revelation. Why did you choose that particular note to end on?
In the sense that he returns to this house that Rue spoke of after committing the sin of murdering several people, he prays for peace, for his country, and he has a vision of Rue. I thought it was a neat touch that he was privileged to see her happy and at peace, which is what he wishes for her as he holds her head on the couch. He turned a nihilistic story into one of redemption and renewal. I think it's easy to dismiss the show as nihilistic or pessimistic, but I'm more interested in the journey ahead and the future, and I've always been moved by that idea of him and how he finally found peace.
Why did you decide to keep this particular character in the finale?
Because he was the kind of adult who actually listened, cared, and saw the good in Roo.
Which character's ending was the hardest for you to write?
That's an interesting question. Maybe with Maddie it was more challenging in the sense that there were multiple storylines that needed to be reconciled in order for her to be free. With Alamo it was more challenging because I had several different versions of his confrontation with Ali, and at the same time, I wanted him to realize that he, too, is a victim of his own desires, but because he's such a menacing character, I had to find an organic way to show that. I think his love for Maddie, and I use that word loosely, was a jumping-off point, this dream of a future and a legacy. He's such an inspiring actor, so thoughtful and meticulous, that we were able to freely explore ideas about who this guy is and what he wants and what he's striving for, and still give him something that felt cinematic and compelling at the same time.
Sydney Sweeney as Cassie and Alexa Demie as Maddie. Eddie Chen/HBO
You lived with these characters for so long, especially considering the length of filming. How much did you change them after getting to know the actors and their performances?
I think I do this every time I cast an actor. When I cast an actor, I always have a character description on paper, I sit down, I talk to them, we discuss the character, we talk about ideas, we exchange opinions, and then I always make a choice based on who that person is and what they can bring to the role, because I think the more they feel invested in the character, the stronger their performance is and the more they feel like their role is worthwhile. And then, during filming, I'm inspired by what I see.
Did you see Zendaya as a future star when you first started working with her?
I'd like to think so. When you're casting a leading man, you have to believe he has potential and can pull it off, so I always thought she'd be fantastic and a huge, huge force in the acting department.
What were your conversations like with her about Ru's future? Did she fully share your opinion?
I think it was hard because I had invested so much love into this character, and it's not what either of us wanted for this character, but it's what truly fits his nature. So it was an emotionally challenging experience, but it was the right decision.
How much did this series touch you?
I always try to draw inspiration from myself, if possible, and infuse it into these characters, who may be very different from me. It helps me decompress and vent, and I also think it gives the character an authenticity and truthfulness, which I think comes through in the acting and on screen. So I would say I'm present in each of these characters in some way. I also studied acting in the Stanislavsky system for many years before I started writing and directing, and I create very complex backstories for each of these characters. So I come to set with a deep understanding of who they are, where they've been, what they want, what they desire, what they're hiding, and I try to find emotional parallels in my own life so I can connect with these characters and truly care about them.
Is there any character you identify with the most?
I'd say Rue, because she has a history of struggling with addiction. I think I put a lot of work into this character to make sure she truly reflects what it's like to be an addict.
Do you plan to return to this world in a few years? Is there a character you'd like to revisit in the future?
I love all of these characters and can imagine so many different storylines for them, but I think I'm really proud of what we achieved as a team, from the costume designer to the cinematographer, production designer, hair and makeup. I think we all did a fantastic job, and I'm very proud of the result.
Sharon Stone recently stated that she believes, TV series "Euphoria"« should be taught in high school. Do you agree with this?
I try to stay away from public policy issues. It's not my specialty, but I appreciate Sharon's perspective. She was absolutely wonderful to work with. She's so talented, passionate, and charismatic. I really enjoyed working with her, and it was great to see her comedic side and collaborate with her on these scenes.
Sharon Stone in Euphoria (Eddie Chen/HBO)
Opinions change over time. Do you think people will come to terms with the ending over time?
I think people will embrace it. I think it will all play out the way it's supposed to. I don't think too much about legacy or what the future holds. I think this is a disturbing and shocking ending for a character we all love, and so the reaction seems perfectly logical to me. But then again, I go back to the idea that I'm not making this show for fans, and I have to give viewers something honest. I know some people are upset, but I would be betraying my own artistic ambitions if I told this story any other way.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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