Hunter Schafer opens up about ‘Euphoria’ season 3 and personal challenges

A season shrouded in mystery

The highly anticipated third season of Euphoria is set to begin filming in January 2025, but even the cast remains in the dark about what to expect. During a candid interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Hunter Schafer, who portrays Jules on the hit HBO series, confessed, “I have no fucking idea what’s going on with the upcoming season.”

“You can ask literally all of the cast,” Schafer told host Alex Cooper. “The real tea is that a lot has happened.”

Remembering lost friends

Schafer became emotional as she reminisced about her co-star Angus Cloud, who tragically passed away at the age of 25 in July 2023, and producer Kevin Turen, who died in November of the same year. “I think everyone feels a certain sense of anticipation for if we are supposed to do Season 3,” she said. “Obviously, I’m still coming to terms with what’s happened and losing people that we really loved and were a part of this family and everything. If we do go back, that’s going to be tough.”

She continued, “I think there’s a world in which we can channel that into making it a beautiful Season 3—if it is supposed to happen, but I think that shit really threw everyone for a loop.”

A secret audition and unexpected fame

Schafer also revealed that she initially kept her Euphoria audition a secret, doubting her suitability for an acting career. “I really wasn’t sure that I was going to do it, because once again, I didn’t think acting was my calling or anything,” she admitted. “It’s not my plan. It wasn’t my plan.”

Another reason for her secrecy was her Christian upbringing. Although her church was “on the chiller side of Christianity,” she was still apprehensive about informing her parents about the explicit content in Euphoria‘s opening episode. “There’s this whole pastor’s daughter trope. And it gets kind of tough,” she shared. “When I had to tell my parents, ‘In the first episode, I’m having anal sex with a 45-year-old and cutting myself in the arm,’ my first thought is like, okay, they have to tell their congregation that their kid’s going to be on TV, and then their congregation, who are just little old nice white Christian people from the south, are going to watch this TV show and see me getting fucked. I still do feel bad because that’s something they still have to deal with.”

Rising to stardom

Entering Euphoria as an unknown actor, Schafer has since skyrocketed to global recognition. Following her role as Jules, the 25-year-old has starred in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Kinds of Kindness, and Neon’s horror thriller Cuckoo, which premiered on August 9.

Schafer mentioned that Zendaya played a crucial role in helping her navigate the transition to fame, adding that her Euphoria co-star is “one of my best friends in the world to this day.”

“Thankfully, she had had some experience with fame already. We were really close by the time we really fell in love with each other as friends in the first season,” Schafer said. “She was able to help me through all that.”

Listen to the full interview

For those interested in hearing more about Schafer’s journey and insights, you can listen to her full interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast here.

Personal reflections

As a fan of cinema and TV series, it’s fascinating to see how actors like Hunter Schafer navigate the complexities of fame and personal challenges. Euphoria has not only been a groundbreaking series in terms of its storytelling and visual style but also in how it has impacted the lives of its cast members. The anticipation for Season 3 is palpable, and it will be interesting to see how the series evolves, especially in light of the personal losses and challenges faced by the cast and crew.

For those who have followed Schafer’s journey, her candidness and resilience are truly inspiring. Her story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and the power of perseverance. As we await the next chapter of Euphoria, it’s worth reflecting on the impact that such a series can have, not just on its audience, but on those who bring it to life.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the world of cinema and TV series.