Euphoria's "core cast" is confirmed for season 3 but who is that? (The actors expected to return)

Euphoria has become one of HBO's biggest hits as the high-school drama has sparked a massive wave of interest among critics and audiences alike. It boosted stars Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney to major fame with Zendaya winning two Emmys for her work. 

However, the wait for season 3 has been much longer than expected. Season 2 wrapped in 2022, and it was expected that season 3 would be put into production quickly. However, it's hit issues, partly due to creator Sam Mendes insisting on writing all the scripts himself, which slowed development.

Not helping was the 2023 Hollywood strikes curtailing all production. There are also the schedules of the actors, with Zendaya and Sweeney being especially busier, so pulling them in is going to be tougher. The production has been longer but in a recent piece in Variety, Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, clarified things. That includes how season 3 will address the delay by jumping forward in time with the characters out of high school. 

"One of the issues I think that Sam is thinking about is that he doesn't want to have it in high school anymore. That's where it was set and what made sense then. So when you take it out of that, there's a lot of back and forth about where to set it and how far in the future to set it and all that stuff. But I think he's got a take that he's excited about, and he's busy writing."

More importantly, Bloys confirmed that the "core cast is expected to return" so just who is that? 

Euphoria season 3 expected cast

Continuing the show without Zendaya would be foolish as her Rue is the center of the show (the fact she's an Emmy winner helps). Likewise, Sweeney should return but with both actresses far busier, it will be tricky. 

It's already confirmed that Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat, is leaving the series. There's also the obviously tragic loss of Angus Cloud as the actor who played Fez died in July 2023. The rest of the main cast should be back. 

• Zendaya as Ruby "Rue" Bennett
• Maude Apatow as Alexis "Lexi" Howard
• Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs
• Alexa Demie as Madeleine "Maddy" Perez
• Jacob Elordi as Nathaniel "Nate" Jacobs
• Nika King as Leslie Bennett
• Storm Reid as Georgia "Gia" Bennett
• Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn
• Sydney Sweeney as Cassandra "Cassie" Howard

Up in the air are some recurring characters like Colman Domingo's Ali, Javon Walton as Ashtray, Austin Abrams as Ethan, and Dominic Fike as Elliot. If the show is doing a big time jump, it's logical some characters can be written off easily and the actors are too busy to return. Domingo, who recently scored an Oscar nomination, is a star on the rise so he may not come back. 

It's still early yet as there's a lot of work to do but hopefully when Euphoria season 3 finally returns, the main cast will be back for it.

Euphoria seasons 1&2 are streaming on Max.