HBO speaks out on Euphoria's future after claims series has been cancelled

HBO has responded to a new report claiming the third season of Euphoria has been axed and the cast have been told they can free up their schedules for other work.

The rumor started earlier today (March 25), following a story by World of Reel stating that the third season of the HBO show was set to be scrapped.

The rumor was certainly believable, because any TV show with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo and Hunter Schafer all part of the cast is a mammoth task to organise.

Within that group you have some of the current breakout stars of this generation of actors, particularly Zendaya, who has been widely praised for her role in Dune: Part Two.

Jacob Elordi has commented on filming season three in the past:

World of Reel's report stated: "Sam Levinson’s Euphoria has been totally scrapped. It’s not happening.

"They had plans to shoot it this summer, but that fell through and on Friday they told the cast that they could free up their schedules for other projects."

The cast are undeniably in demand, with Colman Domingo coming off an Oscar nomination, Elordi having a breakout role in Saltburn, and Sydney Sweeney’s star turns in Anyone But You and Immaculate.

Meanwhile, Sam Levinson’s follow up show The Idol was critically panned and did not make a significant dent in terms of viewers, despite the involvement of music star Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd.

Now, HBO has offered some clarification about the reports Euphoria has been cancelled, and admitted that the cast have been told they can free up their schedules.

Getty Images / Kevin Mazur

A spokesperson for HBO told Variety: “HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season.

“In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”

A new shooting date has not been set at the time of publication.

Levinson has commented in the past on his plans for season three, telling Elle last year it will be a ‘film noir’ focused on Zendaya’s Rue.

He went on to say it will ‘explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world’.

Any potential season three of the show will be operating under a dark cloud of sorts following the tragic death of Angus Cloud, who had a breakout role in season one and two of the show as Fez.

HBO

Speaking following his death, Levinson said in an interview with People magazine: “Angus was supposed to die at the end of the first season, but I loved him so f**king much.

“The first thing I noticed about him was he had those Paul Newman eyes … and his audition tape where he said that his name was Angus Cloud and he’s ‘five foot 12.’ It killed me. He was perfect.”

Zendaya said of Cloud to People: “He was one of the most unique and pure hearted people.

“I’m lucky because I got to experience the most beautiful parts of him. I got to watch him create and I got to watch him discover the fact that he was an actor.

“A damn good one at that, and as many times as I would tell him or compliment his performance, I don’t think he ever truly believed it.”