Nearly two months after “Euphoria” brought its turbulent run to an end, fans are just hours away from returning to the world of East Highland one last time.
HBO Max’s retrospective special, “Euphoria: A Look Back,” premieres July 24, offering an emotional farewell to the Emmy-winning drama that launched some of Hollywood’s biggest young stars. Over its run, the acclaimed series transformed many of its young cast members from rising talents and acting newcomers into some of the industry’s most sought-after stars.
“Euphoria” may have aired its final episode in May, but HBO Max is giving fans one last trip back to East Highland.
Premiering July 24, “Euphoria: A Look Back,” revisits the Emmy-winning drama through never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and emotional moments from across its seven-year run.
The trailer features Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer and late star Angus Cloud, with Schafer reflecting that the cast “were literal babies” when filming began.
Rather than extending the story, the special celebrates the series that launched some of Hollywood’s biggest young stars and became one of HBO’s defining dramas. Fans can expect early audition-era footage, wrap celebrations and candid reflections on the show’s cultural impact, according to HBO’s official trailer.
‘Euphoria’ Helped Zendaya Make History
One of the show’s biggest success stories is lead star Zendaya. In 2020, the actress was just 24 when she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, making her the category’s youngest-ever winner. She repeated the feat in 2022, earning her second Emmy for the troubled teenager.
But Zendaya has made clear that Rue became about far more than awards. Speaking at a 2022 “Euphoria” event, she became emotional while discussing viewers who had shared their experiences with addiction and sobriety.
“She represents a lot of people that need a lot of love,” Zendaya said, per Variety, adding that she wanted people “to be able to heal through her.”
Those performances ultimately transformed the performer from a former Disney star into one of television’s most decorated young actresses.
Sydney Sweeney And Jacob Elordi Became A-List Stars
When “Euphoria” premiered in 2019, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi were still trying to establish themselves beyond their early breakout roles.
Sweeney had credits including “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Sharp Objects,” and “Everything Sucks!,” but Cassie Howard launched her career into another stratosphere. W Magazine credits “Euphoria” as her 2019 breakout, after which she landed “The White Lotus,” the box-office hit “Anyone But You,” “Christy,” and the 2026 thriller “The Housemaid.”
Elordi’s transformation was even more dramatic. The actor revealed he had just “$400 or $800” left and considered “Euphoria” his final audition before returning home to Australia.
Seven years later, he’s fresh off “Frankenstein,” starred opposite Margot Robbie in 2026’s “Wuthering Heights,” and has Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars” next on his slate.
How ‘Euphoria’ Launched Hunter Schafer’s Career
For one star, “Euphoria” didn’t just provide a breakout role; it launched an acting career she never planned on having.
Hunter Schafer was a model preparing to study fashion at Central Saint Martins when an Instagram casting call ultimately led to her becoming Jules Vaughn in her first-ever acting role.
“I have not acted before and was not planning on it really either,” she said in a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Seven years later, her résumé looks considerably different. Schafer has appeared in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” led the horror film “Cuckoo,” and joined the upcoming “Blade Runner 2099” alongside Michelle Yeoh.
She isn’t slowing down either. According to Vogue, her post-Euphoria slate also includes Tom Ford’s “Cry to Heaven,” “Fish,” “Palette,” and Hideo Kojima’s “OD.”
‘Euphoria’ Was Controversial From The Start
As the “Euphoria” fraternity gets one last chance to reflect on the show that changed many of their lives, one thing they might all agree on is that the production was rarely far from controversy.
Its graphic depictions of sex, drug use and nudity drew criticism from the beginning, with the Parents Television Council accusing HBO in 2019 of marketing “graphic adult content” to teenagers.
Scrutiny intensified during Season 2, with reported allegations from background actors about long working days and difficult conditions. The network defended the production, however, saying “the well-being of cast and crew” was a top priority and that no formal inquiries had been raised.
Barbie Ferreira’s 2022 exit also fueled speculation of behind-the-scenes tension with creator Sam Levinson. However, the actress later pushed back on reports of a feud, telling Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast that the decision to leave was “mutual.”
Levinson himself has remained a lightning rod for controversy, ensuring the conversation around “Euphoria” often extended far beyond what viewers saw onscreen.
