'Euphoria' has ended after three seasons. Why Sam Levinson wanted to honor Angus Cloud with the finale

This communicative contains immoderate spoilers for the bid finale of “Euphoria.”

“Euphoria” is officially over.

Sunday’s Season 3 finale of the turbulent play starring Zendaya arsenic troubled cause addict Rue Bennett besides marked the decision of the series, creator Sam Levinson announced connected “Popcast,” the New York Times’ popular civilization podcast. HBO confirms the occurrence was the bid finale.

“In presumption of the communicative that we acceptable retired to tell, which is simply a communicative astir addiction and its consequences, this feels similar the extremity to me,” Levinson told the outlet. “I’m conscionable immensely arrogant of the enactment we did, the communicative we told. It’s a tragic 1 successful the end, but it’s the truth.”

The finale included a fig of shocking deaths, including Rue’s of an accidental overdose.

“If you are experimenting oregon taking drugs today, it’s precise imaginable it’ll termination you,” Levinson added. “And I deliberation it was a mode of honoring Angus [Cloud] and saying a supplication for the future.”

Cloud, who portrayed the endearing cause trader Fezco O’Neill successful the show’s archetypal 2 seasons, died of acute intoxication — an accidental overdose — successful 2023. He was 25. Fez was 1 of Rue’s closest friends om the show.

“I deliberation successful the end, I wanted to archer an honorable communicative astir addiction,” Levinson says successful HBO’s behind-the-scenes video that aired pursuing Episode 8. “I besides wanted to archer a communicative astir grief and the affectional turmoil that it tin create.”

“Euphoria” was a breakout amusement for galore of its young stars. In summation to Zendaya, who has won 2 Emmy awards for her show arsenic Rue, the formed included Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney.

HBO’s video included clips of Zendaya’s last days of filming connected the show, arsenic good arsenic her expressing gratitude to her chap formed and unit members.

“Many of you person been present from the opening and watched maine turn up,” Zendaya says. “It’s been specified a pleasance and an honor.”

The finale besides included a tribute to Cloud and his character, whose lack successful the opening of the play was attributed to Fez serving time. Cloud’s decease changed the trajectory of Rue’s communicative to code the “very existent consequences” of addiction, Levinson told “Popcast.”

“I wanted to archer the communicative for Angus and for radical who weren’t granted a 2nd chance,” Levinson reiterated successful HBO’s behind-the-scenes video. “People relapse. They f— up. They’re not acceptable to get clean. And they weren’t dying similar they are present with the influx of fentanyl into this country. I tin accidental with implicit certainty that if I was going done what I went done erstwhile I was younger now, I wouldn’t beryllium present either. There’s nary crushed to sugarcoat it.”