Warning: Spoilers ahead! Do not proceed unless you’ve watched “Euphoria” Season 3 episode 8.
“Euphoria” star Angus Cloud was honored in the Season 3 finale with never-before-seen footage of the late actor from seven years ago.
The show’s creator, Sam Levinson, included a reel of test footage featuring Cloud and Zendaya shot during the HBO series’ first season in 2019.
“It’s footage that never made it into the show. I thought, ‘Oh, it’d be great to use that footage and just see him again — and see the two of them,’” he told Esquire, referencing their characters Fezco “Fez” O’Neill and Rue Bennett’s close friendship.
For Cloud’s character to live on in Season 3, Levinson chose to put Fezco in prison and still be a topic of discussion amongst the other characters.
“His arc this season is really kind of amazing, despite the fact that he’s in prison and we don’t see him,” Levinson said.
In the finale, Zendaya’s character takes fentanyl-laced pills given to her by Alamo Brown, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, midway through the episode, titled “In God We Trust.”
Cloud’s character, Fezco, was featured in the episode during Rue’s death sequence. The footage itself shows Zendaya and Cloud standing together in a grassy field, each holding a cracked beer, smiling and looking off at the horizon.
The tribute is even more powerful because Cloud died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on July 31, 2023, at the age of 25.
“I really wanted to dive into that this season and deal with fentanyl, and deal with the consequences and how it’s taking away young people’s opportunity for a second chance,” Levinson said. “When I was growing up and doing drugs, sure, you could O.D. on something, but it wasn’t like it is today where you make one wrong move and you’re dead.”
Levinson also revealed that the decision to honor Cloud in that way was made just five days before the finale premiered on Sunday.
“I feel relieved that I was able to put it all together and that we were able to turn it into something that I’m really proud of,” he said. “But then there’s always the adrenaline crash that comes with it. So I get a little sad towards the end.”
The producer also gave further insight into Rue’s hallucination and what that ending meant for her beloved character.
“Rue is kind of going back through her life. So this is actually a moment where she pulls up at the old convenience store that Fezco used to work at. She’s looking up at the sign and has this flashback memory of her and Angus together.”
Rue’s death comes on the heels of Zendaya’s co-star Jacob Elordi’s character Nate Jacobs’ gruesome death in last week’s episode.
When asked about Season 4 rumors, Levinson wasn’t quite able to close the door fully.
“I mean, I don’t know. I’ve approached every season like it’s the last season. If they say, ‘That’s it, Sam, pack your bags. We don’t need another.’”
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
