Euphoria Creator Dedicates Season 3 to Eric Dane, Angus Cloud and More in Those We Lost Tribute

Euphoria is finally back for its third season, but the return is bittersweet. At the big premiere at LA's TCL Chinese Theatre, showrunner Sam Levinson got pretty personal — and with good reason. He dedicated this season to three major people the show lost since we last saw Rue and the gang: Angus Cloud (Fezco), Eric Dane (Cal Jacobs), and executive producer Kevin Turen. Honestly, it was more emotional than your usual red carpet event.

One Season, Three Losses

Here’s the harsh reality: Euphoria’s production was hit by a triple blow. Angus Cloud — probably the most beloved drug dealer on TV in recent memory — died a year after season two wrapped, from a drug overdose. Not long after, Kevin Turen (the guy overseeing it all behind the scenes) passed away. Then, just two months before they rolled out season three, Eric Dane, who played the irredeemable Cal Jacobs, also died. That’s a lot for any cast and crew to process, let alone during a huge comeback season.

Why the Long Wait Between Seasons?

If you’ve been wondering why it took so long between Euphoria’s second and third outings, Levinson actually addressed that during his speech, right up front. Sure, he said, the Hollywood strikes in 2023 were a nightmare (both writers and actors had their picket signs out), and the main cast basically became A-listers overnight, making scheduling a full-on jigsaw puzzle. But, Levinson added, 'the real time was in trying to figure out how to find a way to pay respect to those who we lost.' This wasn’t just about logistics — it was about finding a way to keep moving with some huge holes to fill.

Cloud’s Death Hit Especially Hard

Levinson didn’t mince words about Angus Cloud’s passing. He said it 'was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean.' Cloud was one of 73,000 Americans who died of fentanyl overdoses in 2023 — a brutal stat, but one with real impact in Hollywood too.

A Season About Finding Meaning

So what do you do when your show has lost three of its key people? According to Levinson, you try to find 'the meaning beyond the absurdity.' He went pretty philosophical about all this grief — it made him realize 'that death is what gives life meaning. You can’t be arrogant about existence. You’re forced to reckon with the fact that life itself is a wonder, a gift, a profound blessing.' Okay, that’s deep for an HBO afterparty.

'The Rebbe says, "The only way to see great light is to pass through great darkness." Well, it feels good to be on the other side.'

Quick Recap: Who’s Missing

• Angus Cloud (Fezco): Died from a multiple drug overdose, 2023
• Kevin Turen (Executive producer): Passed away about three months after Cloud
• Eric Dane (Cal Jacobs): Died two months before season 3 premiere

The New Season Drops Soon

Euphoria’s third season finally premieres on HBO on April 12, 2026. Whether you’re there for the drama, the fashion, or just to see how they manage all these big changes, it’s safe to say this is going to be the most emotionally-loaded season yet.