Zendaya’s Euphoria Season 3 Return Requires A Major Story Change After The HBO Show’s Teased Time Jump

Zendaya’s return in Euphoria season 3 must resolve this longstanding issue with her self-destructive and dysfunctional lead protagonist, Rue Bennett. Although Euphoria season 2 was released in early 2022, the highly anticipated third season of the provocative HBO teen drama series is still in development with an expected release date of early to mid-2026. Nearly all the key cast members of Euphoria season 2 will be returning for season 3, including Zendaya’s Rue, Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie, Jacob Elordi’s Nate, Hunter Schafer’s Jules, Alexa Demie’s Maddy, and Maude Apatow’s Lexi.

Euphoria season 3 is expected to have a time jump that similarly reflects the roughly 4-year difference between seasons 2 and 3. Since the series premiered in 2019, several of Euphoria’s cast members have gone on to become major movie stars. Sweeney starred in the hit rom-com Anyone But You, the religious horror Immaculate, and the Apple thriller Echo Valley, while Elordi has played Elvis in Priscilla, Felix in Saltburn, and is set to star in upcoming remakes of Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights. Zendaya plays Chani in the Dune blockbuster and starred in the steamy sports drama Challengers, showing maturity and range in her recent roles.

Zendaya’s Rue Bennett Needs To Get Sober In Euphoria Season 3

It’s The Best Decision For Rue’s Character Arc & For Zendaya As An Elite Actress

A key and tragic element of Rue’s story in Euphoria seasons 1 and 2 is that she struggles with drug addiction and depression. While it would be irrational for Rue to suddenly appear completely sober in Euphoria season 3, it would be incredibly disappointing for viewers to see Rue still struggling with addiction, especially considering the multi-year time jump that is expected to take place between seasons 2 and 3. If Rue were truly still on drugs after the multi-year time jump, she would likely be a much different person and an irredeemably tragic figure, which would put a massive damper on Euphoria season 3.

Euphoria as a series has offered gruesomely authentic portrayals of teen addiction and withdrawal symptoms, which sets it up perfectly to now paint a realistic portrayal of recovery for Rue’s character. This character development wouldn’t necessarily be about setting a better example for viewers, but rather a natural progression of Rue’s journey and a new way for audiences to enjoy her character. Not only does Rue owe it to herself to maintain sobriety, but viewers deserve to see a more refined and measured version of Rue, which I would find much more compelling than another season-long display of struggle and relapse.

Rue’s Maturity & Character Development Is The Most Crucial Factor In Euphoria Season 3

Watching Rue Continue To Struggle Throughout Season 3 Does Not Sound New Or Compelling

Zendaya has come a long way from starring in Euphoria season 1, in a role that was considered controversial for her at the time. If Euphoria season 3 is going to be the last installment of the HBO series, which is rumored but not confirmed to be, then we really need to see Rue in a different lens outside of being a drug addict. Sydney Sweeney has already hinted that Cassie is about to get even more unhinged in season 3, which makes sense given her multiple meltdowns in season 2. What would make the most sense for Rue is to finally arrive on the other side of her troubles, unless Creator Sam Levinson wants to end season 3 on a dire note.

This has nothing to do with Zendaya setting a good example for her fans, because Euphoria has and will always be a hyperbolic and fictional TV show, even though it has a sharp ability to appeal to younger generations. Rue maturing and overcoming her addiction is the best possible development for her character arc.

By the time Euphoria season 3 comes out, it will join a slate of Zendaya’s major movie releases that includes Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Messiah, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Shrek 5. Zendaya is one of the biggest movie stars on the planet and has simply outgrown playing the drug-addled Rue in Euphoria, which calls for a more refined version of her character.