Euphoria Creator Dedicates Season 3 to Late Cast and Crew

Sam Levinson pays tribute to Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, and producer Kevin Turen during the season premiere.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:56am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering shards, reflecting the fragility of life and the darkness that comes before the light.The new season of Euphoria grapples with the profound loss of cast and crew, using a visual language of broken glamour to capture the show's emotional journey.Oakland Today

During the season 3 premiere of the HBO series Euphoria, creator Sam Levinson dedicated the new episodes to 'those who we lost,' including actors Angus Cloud and Eric Dane, as well as producer Kevin Turen. Levinson spoke about the challenges of making the new season and honoring the memory of his late collaborators.

Why it matters

Euphoria has become a cultural phenomenon, and the loss of key cast and crew members has deeply impacted the show's production and creative direction. Levinson's heartfelt dedication highlights the human toll of the entertainment industry and the importance of supporting mental health and addiction recovery efforts.

The details

In his introduction, Levinson acknowledged the delays in producing season 3, citing 'obvious factors' like strikes and scheduling conflicts with the in-demand cast. However, he said the real challenge was 'trying to figure out how to find a way to pay respect to those who we lost.' Levinson spoke movingly about the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, describing his struggle to keep the young actor 'clean' before his fatal fentanyl overdose in 2023 at age 25. The creator also paid tribute to Eric Dane, who was able to reprise his role before dying of respiratory failure related to ALS, as well as producer Kevin Turen.

  • Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, died in 2023 at age 25 from 'acute intoxication'.
  • Eric Dane, who appeared in Euphoria, died in February 2026 of respiratory failure with ALS as a contributing cause.
  • Season 3 of Euphoria premiered in April 2026.

The players

Sam Levinson

The creator and showrunner of the HBO series Euphoria.

Angus Cloud

The actor who played Fezco in the first two seasons of Euphoria, who died in 2023 at the age of 25 from a fentanyl overdose.

Eric Dane

The actor who appeared in Euphoria and died in February 2026 of respiratory failure with ALS as a contributing cause.

Kevin Turen

A producer on Euphoria who passed away.

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What they’re saying

“When Angus died, it was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean. The year he died, in 2023, he was one of 73,000 people in America who died of a fentanyl overdose. I learned a whole lot that year, but what I realized more than anything is that death is what gives life meaning. You can't be arrogant about existence. You're forced to reckon with the fact that life itself is a wonder, a gift, a profound blessing.”

— Sam Levinson, Euphoria Creator

“The Rebbe says, 'The only way to see great light is to pass through great darkness.' Well, it feels good to be on the other side.”

— Sam Levinson, Euphoria Creator

What’s next

Euphoria season 3 will continue to air new episodes on HBO throughout the spring and summer of 2026.

The takeaway

The loss of key Euphoria cast and crew members has deeply impacted the show's production, but creator Sam Levinson is using the new season to honor their memory and reflect on the fragility of life. This tragedy highlights the importance of supporting mental health and addiction recovery efforts in the entertainment industry.