Euphoria Star Responds to Mixed Reception of Final Season

Warning: This article contains spoilers for season three of Euphoria.

An actor appearing in the third and final season of Euphoria has expressed understanding regarding the polarized response to the series, following creator Sam Levinson’s confirmation that the show has concluded. The HBO drama, known for tackling gritty subject matter such as drug trafficking, the production of erotic videos, and violent retribution, has faced scrutiny from some viewers who feel the original cast members have evolved beyond the show’s intense narrative. With the first two seasons airing in 2019 and 2022 respectively, some fans argue that stars like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi have outgrown their characters.

However, Toby Wallace, who portrays neo-Nazi dealer Wayne, asserts that the tonal shift in the concluding season was a deliberate creative choice. The British-Australian performer, who joined the ensemble for this installment, told BBC Newsbeat that he relates to the audience's perspective, noting that he is also a devoted viewer. "I remember walking on to their season going like 'okay this is definitely a little bit of a different show, like it feels different'," he recalled.

Following the broadcast of the finale on Sunday night, Levinson spoke with The New York Times to verify that no further episodes would be produced. Wallace believes this decision stems from Levinson’s desire to avoid repetition. "I don't think you can really treat it as exactly the same vibe as the last two seasons, because it's not in a lot of ways," the 30-year-old explained. He added that the showrunner is driven by a need to "recreate and build something original" rather than replicating past successes.

Although Euphoria was a cultural phenomenon upon its debut, its return after a five-year hiatus has generated a more fragmented audience reaction. Despite significant online criticism, Wallace maintains that the general reception "has been really good."

Wallace, a London native, gained prominence in 2019 with his role as Moses in the film Babyteeth, followed by a part in the Netflix teen drama The Society. He admitted that before joining Euphoria, he was already a massive fan, having watched every episode multiple times. He described his experience on the set as a "fever dream," praising Levinson for his nuanced handling of themes involving youth, isolation, sexuality, and substance abuse. "He's created this thing like his writing never, it feels like it never judges people," Wallace said.

The series played a pivotal role in elevating its leads to Hollywood stardom. Wallace noted that collaborating with such high-profile actors was an "incredible" experience, highlighting the cast’s warmth and hospitality. He specifically praised Zendaya, who plays Rue, describing her as a "movie star" who remains "super, super sweet." "She's unbelievably professional, she's incredibly present," he said. "The way that she runs from emotion to emotion and the way that she just knows that character so well it's insane to be around."

A standout moment in the final episode was a poignant tribute to Angus Cloud, the actor who played Fez, who passed away in 2023 due to an accidental overdose. Levinson incorporated archival test footage featuring Cloud and Zendaya into the finale. Wallace described the homage as "just really gorgeous," stating it was "definitely the right way to go about it." Reflecting on Cloud’s work, Wallace said, "For me personally I found Angus's performance in the TV show to really inspirational. He was just so himself in the show, and I thought, especially by season two, he carried so much of it, and I just loved him as an actor."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 11:12:27 UTC