Reading About Sam Levinson Reminds Me Why I'm Not Watching 'Euphoria'
In our four years of Euphoria-less time, HBO’s provocative primetime hit still lingered like a bad high as chatter consistently surfaced about writer-director Sam Levinson’s toxic work environment and his feuds with various actors. In addition, the press for the third season was as “barely there” as the costumes on Levinson’s actresses, leading fans to speculate that the major players were creating distance from his name. Most recently, Labrinth, a featured artist on the Season 2 soundtrack, posted a declaration on Instagram saying, “DOUBLE F*CK EUPHORIA.” So, clearly shit went down. And somebody has some explaining to do.
In an interview with the New York Times published on Wednesday, Levinson avoided addressing the years of rumors surrounding his sets. “For this season, just because everything that happened and the time between the seasons, we wanted to make sure that everyone had fresh deals, no one was contractually obligated to return,” he said, suggesting that everyone returned of their own volition, despite however much they may regret it now.
The interviewer, Joe Cascarelli, also noted during their chat that Levinson was “juggling four tins of Zyn.” Gross. The more I read about Euphoria and Levinson’s pattern of behavior on set, the more I am reminded why I won’t be watching it, and, moreover, why I despise this ~type~ of film guy. The same ~type~ of guy who believes he’s some genius director for writing graphic teen sex scenes.
Even though I will not be watching Sunday night, I was eager to follow the gossip at Tuesday night’s premiere in Los Angeles, where Levison and the cast, including Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, and more, were all in the same room together for the first time in years. Shockingly, after all these drama-filled years, I thought there’d be a little more drama at the premiere.
On the carpet, Zendaya and Levinson paused for a (very) brief hello before she was (perhaps, strategically) pulled away. Back in 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported a rift between the two. At the time, Levinson reportedly blamed her schedule for the production’s delays, even though he had no script and had paused writing to focus on his failed show, The Idol—which allegedly spiraled off the rails under his direction and was called “torture porn,” a label people have also applied to Euphoria.
“I think it’s hysterical.” Levinson told Cascarelli of The Idol, “and I’m really proud of it.” Red flag number ??? We lost count.
Back to the premiere, Zendaya did not speak to any press or pose for any pictures with the cast. (Maybe she really does have a no-photos-with-Sweeney policy…) And a rumor started on Twitter (likely place for a rumor to start) that Zendaya left promptly after posing for photos.
An event with her ex, a racist who said that white genes are superior, for a show that should have ended 2 years ago, also written by a sex addict…
And the other part of the cast that are her friends, half of them left / died…I would have been done with that show too tbh https://t.co/AgYXlFrhFb
— ♱ CARIBBEAN BEYHIVE SPN♱ ???????? (@Hivelyss_) April 8, 2026
Sydney Sweeney kisses boyfriend Scooter Braun at the ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 premiere. pic.twitter.com/UBnMaOaxgY
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 8, 2026
In the new season, it seems we’ll meet the characters in storylines so drastically different, it’s as if they exist in different shows. Based on the trailer, Rue will star in an action movie about a cartel; Cassie, Maddie, and Nate are in a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spin-off; and Jules is just Anora.
“I’ve written every season like it’s the last season,” Levinson told Cascarelli, “because I was never sure if they were going to pick it up again.” Trust me, we can tell. An initial script by Levinson had Zendaya’s character become a private detective, but it was rejected by both Zendaya and HBO. The plot for season three was scrapped and rewritten numerous times, and this was evidently the best they could come up with.
Not to mention that the entire concept of Euphoria was originally a scrapped Petra Collins project that she didn’t realize had been overtaken by Levinson until she saw it on a billboard.
But even after knowing everything we do about this man, the “juggling the four tins of Zyn” was the true final straw. Grow up.