It’s been a long time between breakdowns, but Euphoria is finally on its way back — and Sydney Sweeney is promising the chaos is far from over.
The actress opened up about stepping back into the role of Cassie Howard after three years, describing the experience as both wild and deeply personal.
“I have such a spot in my heart for Cassie, and I hold her really close and dear,” Sweeney said in a new interview with Empire magazine, “She is crazy. She makes so many mistakes. She’s flawed on so many levels, but she does it all from a place of love. It could be a sad version of love, as well.”
More on Screen Realm:
Fans already know Cassie’s emotional tailspins are part of what makes Euphoria such an explosive viewing experience — and according to Sweeney, Season 3 is doubling down. “It’s so much fun to play a character that is as crazy as she is,” she said. “Sam [Levinson] is such a brilliant filmmaker to work with, because I’ll read something, then I’ll call him, and I’m like, ‘Let’s go crazier.’ And he’s like, ‘I’m all in.’ And this season is unhinged.”
Asked whether it’s more unhinged than before, Sweeney didn’t hesitate. Laughing, she confirmed: “Yes.”
Life After Cassie
Beyond the set, Sweeney acknowledged how Euphoria — and the character of Cassie — changed her life. She was just 20 when she filmed the pilot, and the show’s meteoric rise thrust her into the spotlight in a way she wasn’t quite prepared for.
“It definitely changed my life, yeah,” she said. “With the amount of access, with social media, and how much content gets put out there of Cassie… people do have a hard time separating actors from their characters.”
Cassie, of course, is complicated — adored by some, hated by others, often for decisions Sweeney herself didn’t write. But the actress has come to embrace that tension. “If they’re hating me for decisions that my character is making, then I’m playing the character correctly.”
I always dreamed of playing characters that I’ve been so lucky to be able to play, I knew it wasn’t gonna be all easy. And yeah, you learn. I was 20, filming the pilot of Euphoria, and 21 when it came out. So it was a whirlwind at a really young age. You have to roll with the punches and grow and learn and adapt.
She’s also learned to roll with the punches. “I always dreamed of playing characters that I’ve been so lucky to be able to play, I knew it wasn’t gonna be all easy,” she said. “You have to roll with the punches and grow and learn and adapt.”
What’s Next in Euphoria?
Season 3 is currently filming in Los Angeles and will introduce a five-year time jump — meaning we’re finally leaving high school behind. The returning cast includes Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, Hunter Schafer, and Colman Domingo. New additions include Sharon Stone, Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch, Lucy Punch, Asante Blackk, and Kadeem Hardison.
Delays due to Hollywood strikes and creative shakeups pushed the series back by years, but if Sweeney’s tease is anything to go by, the wait might just be worth it. Cassie’s coming back — and she’s bringing the drama with her.
