'Euphoria' Season 3 Addresses Fez's Fate As Premiere Pays Tribute To Angus Cloud, Eric Dane & Kevin Turen Following Deaths

The new season of the HBO drama opens with a dedication to the late Eric Dane and closes with tributes to Angus Cloud and producer Kevin Turen.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:12am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A striking abstract composition of jagged black silhouettes and bold splashes of red and white, conceptually representing the themes of loss and the bittersweet continuation of the Euphoria story.The Euphoria team pays solemn tribute to the departed as the show navigates a new chapter without its beloved cast and crew.Oakland Today

The third season of the HBO series Euphoria opened with a dedication to the late actor Eric Dane, who played the character of Cal. The premiere episode also featured tributes to Angus Cloud, who portrayed the character of Fezco, and producer Kevin Turen, both of whom passed away in 2023. While Dane was able to reprise his role before his death, the show has addressed Fez's fate, with the character now serving a 30-year prison sentence. Creator Sam Levinson discussed adjusting the writing to accommodate Dane's declining health during filming.

Why it matters

The deaths of Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, and Kevin Turen have had a significant impact on the Euphoria production and the show's narrative. The tributes and adjustments made to address their passing reflect the real-world challenges the cast and crew faced and the care taken to honor their memory within the show's storylines.

The details

In the season 3 premiere, an in memoriam card was shown dedicated to Eric Dane, who played the character of Cal. At the end of the episode, there were also tributes to Dane, Cloud, and producer Kevin Turen. Cloud, who portrayed Fezco, died in 2023 at the age of 25 from acute intoxication. Turen unexpectedly passed away a month later at the age of 44. Dane was able to reprise his role before his death in February 2026 from respiratory failure with ALS as a contributing cause. Creator Sam Levinson adjusted the writing to accommodate Dane's declining health during filming, including having Cal appear drunk in scenes.

  • The third season of Euphoria premiered on April 13, 2026.
  • Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, died in 2023 at the age of 25.
  • Kevin Turen, a producer on the show, died unexpectedly in 2023 at the age of 44.
  • Eric Dane, who portrayed Cal, died in February 2026 from respiratory failure with ALS as a contributing cause.

The players

Sam Levinson

The creator of Euphoria who discussed adjusting the writing to accommodate Eric Dane's declining health during filming.

Angus Cloud

The actor who portrayed the character of Fezco in the first two seasons of Euphoria and passed away in 2023 at the age of 25.

Eric Dane

The actor who played the character of Cal and was able to reprise his role in the third season of Euphoria before his death in February 2026.

Kevin Turen

The producer on Euphoria who unexpectedly passed away in 2023 at the age of 44.

Zendaya

The actress who portrays the character of Rue in Euphoria.

Maude Apatow

The actress who plays the character of Lexi in Euphoria.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who portrays the character of Nate in Euphoria.

Sharon Stone

The actress who plays a famed TV executive that Rue visits in Los Angeles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Some people ask why it took so long between seasons two and three. There were obvious factors — the strikes, trying to make a schedule work with our very in-demand cast, but the real time was in trying to figure out how to find a way to pay respect to those who we lost.'”

— Sam Levinson, Creator of Euphoria

“'He showed up and I could tell he had a slight slur in his voice and he told me that. I said, 'Don't worry. We'll just put, like, five beer bottles in front of you and you've been drinking all night.' He was like, 'Perfect, perfect.' And his character, it was such a gift.'”

— Sam Levinson, Creator of Euphoria

“'I fought very hard to keep him clean when he was alive, and losing him was really tough. I felt like if I couldn't keep him alive in life, then, I could in the show.'”

— Sam Levinson, Creator of Euphoria

What’s next

The third season of Euphoria will continue to explore the aftermath of the deaths of Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, and Kevin Turen, as the show pays tribute to their legacies and addresses the impact on the characters they portrayed.

The takeaway

The opening and closing tributes in the Euphoria season 3 premiere highlight the real-world challenges the production faced in dealing with the tragic losses of key cast and crew members. The show's creator has worked to honor their memories while adjusting the narrative to reflect these profound changes.