Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi return for Euphoria season 3

They say that good things come to those who wait and after four years, pop culture juggernaut Euphoria is returning to screens from 9pm on Monday 13 April on Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111). Read on to discover what you can expect from the third instalment, as well as recaps of previous seasons, confirmed cast members and what the stars have been up to during their Euphoria hiatus. Right this way…

Created, written, directed and executive produced by Emmy nominee and DGA Award winner Sam Levinson, Euphoria follows childhood friends Rue Bennett (Zendaya), Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney), Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) and Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) as they navigate a neon-lit, turbulent teenagerhood at East Highland High School in California.

Their problems go far beyond homework and heartbreak. The crises they face range from drug addiction and mental health issues to sexual violence and deep-seated trauma, all of which have put the show firmly in the mainstream consciousness to become one of the most talked-about series of recent years. Euphoria’s controversial subject material hasn’t stopped it from receiving critical acclaim, though, with nine Primetime Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award and a total of 87 nominations under its belt. Impressive.

Need a bit of a refresh? While you can stream the first two seasons of Euphoria in Apps > HBO Max now, we’ve broken down the show’s biggest moments below.

It’s been five years since the events of the second season, meaning that the East Highland alumni are finding their feet as young adults in their twenties. But just because they’ve graduated doesn’t mean they’ve left their reckless behaviour behind them.

As season 3 begins, Rue is in Mexico and trying to pay off her debt to notorious drug dealer Laurie, while Nate has taken over his father’s construction business and is navigating his own issues. Perhaps the biggest surprise for fans is Nate’s engagement to Cassie, now an adult content creator who’s addicted to social media and envious of her former classmates’ seemingly perfect lives.

There is good news for Maddy, who is working for a talent agency with her own side hustles, while Lexi is an assistant to a showrunner in Hollywood, and Jules is in art school (as well as being a, ahem, sugar baby). How the gang reconcile is yet to be revealed but should make for a thrilling watch. Take a look at the trailer here. (Content guide: The following trailer contains explicit language and mature content. Viewer discretion advised.)

Along with the show’s principal cast, Colman Domingo (as Ali Muhammed), Nika King (Leslie Bennett), Martha Kelly (Laurie), Chloe Cherry (Faye) and the late Eric Dane (Cal Jacobs) will star in season three. Barbie Ferreira (Kat Hernadez), Storm Reid (Gia Bennett) and Algee Smith (Chris McKay) won’t be returning, and it remains unknown how the departure of the character Fez O’Neill (played by the late Angus Cloud) will be addressed in the new season.

There’s a whole host of exciting newcomers too. Grammy-winning singer Rosalía, internet star Trisha Paytas, former NFL player Marshawn Lynch, filmmaker Eli Roth, and actors Danielle Deadwyler (Rooster), Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (His Dark Materials) and James Landry Hébert (Stranger Things) are set to join the cast. Outside of the on-screen talent, Oscar winner Hans Zimmer joins as the show’s music composer. With the largest cast in the show yet, click below to reveal the full list.

While we’ve been patiently waiting for the return of Euphoria, stars from Zendaya to Jacob Elordi have been keeping booked and busy in Hollywood and beyond. Read on to find out what they’ve been up to and where else you can catch them on Virgin TV now.

Who does Apatow play? Lexi Howard, the introverted younger sister of Cassie and Rue’s best friend.

Most likely to… Write a play that’s inspired by her sister’s toxic friend group.

What else has Apatow been up to? Much like her on screen character, Apatow is bursting with artistic creativity, and she produced and directed college comedy Poetic License. Elsewhere, she’s starred in theatrical productions of Little Shop Of Horrors and Cabaret, as well as in her father Judd Apatow’s film King Of Staten Island (available on Virgin Media Store).

Who does Demie play? Maddy Perez, a fiercely loyal cheerleader who’s the former girlfriend of Nate and best friend of Cassie respectively.

Most likely to… Win “Best Dressed” at every high school in California.

What else has Demie been up to? Despite being one of Euphoria’s breakout stars, Demie has remained largely out of the spotlight between seasons. Instead, she’s turned her attention to music and other personal projects, although she did make a cameo appearance in Euphoria creator Sam Levinson’s show The Idol (Apps > HBO Max).

Who does Elordi play? Nate Jacobs, a charismatic yet deeply controlling quarterback who dates Maddy and later Cassie.

Most likely too… Be crowned Prom King while starting a fight on the same night.

What else has Elordi been up to? Since Euphoria Elordi’s career has gone from strength to strength as he’s transitioned into one of the most versatile and in-demand actors in the industry, with leading roles in Priscilla (Apps > Netflix), Saltburn (Apps > Prime Video), Frankenstein (Apps > Netflix), which brought him an Oscar nomination, and Wuthering Heights (available on Virgin Media Store).

Who does Schafer play? Jules Vaughn, a free-spirited transgender student who falls in love with Rue when she enrols at East Highland High School.

Most likely too… Reinvent herself and move to a new school over the summer break.

What else has Schafer been up to? As well as appearing in The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes (Apps > BBC iPlayer), Cuckoo (Sky Cinema on demand) and as a guest judge on Ru Paul’s Drag Race (Apps > Netflix), Schafer has also made a splash in the fashion world and continues her activism work.

Who does Sweeney play? Cassie Howard, a beautiful yet deeply insecure student whose need for validation comes at great cost to herself and her relationships.

Most likely to… Fall in love at least three times during one semester.

What else has Sweeney been up to? Outside of her business ventures and founding her own production company, she’s become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars with roles including The White Lotus (Apps > HBO Max), Anyone But You (available on Virgin Media Store), Madame Web (Apps > Netflix) and The Housemaid (available on Virgin Media Store).

Who does Zendaya play? Rue Bennett, Euphoria’s main character and narrator, who’s battling severe addiction and mental health issues throughout the series.

Most likely too… Maintain a greater understanding of reality compared to her peers.

What else has Zendaya been up to? Zendaya’s star power has continued to skyrocket outside of the show, with high-profile roles in Challengers (Apps > Prime Video) and the upcoming The Drama and The Odyssey, as well as massive film franchises Dune (Apps > HBO Max) and Spider-Man (Sky Cinema on demand).

You can catch Euphoria season 3 from Monday 13 April at 9pm on Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111) with the remaining seven episodes released weekly on Mondays. Customers who watch on 360 or Stream boxes can catch up on seasons 1-2 in Apps > HBO Max now. For more information about watching Sky Atlantic on Virgin TV click here.

Explore our amazing TV deals and never miss a moment of entertainment.