Euphoria is a show that thrives on twists both on and off screen and has hardly ever followed a straight line. With long breaks, constantly evolving storylines, and characters who refuse to stay the same, the series has always kept viewers guessing. As talk about season 3 grows louder, one detail is causing an enormous buzz: A time jump.

That single shift has sparked questions about where the story is headed and whether familiar faces will still be part of it. With names like Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney at the center of the conversation, concerns about casting changes are hard to ignore.

Euphoria season 3 is not leaving Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and other series staples behind despite a five-year time leap confirmed by creator Sam Levinson at an HBO event, as revealed by Variety. Zendaya is set to return as Rue, now half a decade older and no longer in school, struggling with debt. Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie will also return, living in the suburbs with fiancé Nate and deeply consumed by social media.

Beyond the central trio, many other familiar faces with sharply evolved paths will return. Per Variety's account of Sam Levinson's revelation, Hunter Schafer’s Jules will be attending art school, uncertain about her future and avoiding responsibility. Alexa Demie’s Maddy will be working at a Hollywood talent agency while juggling side hustles.

Maude Apatow’s Lexi will be portrayed as having entered the entertainment world as an assistant to a showrunner. The ensemble will share the spotlight with a few fresh faces, though, this season.

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When Euphoria returns with its third installment in April 2026, it will revisit its roots while stepping into new territory, powered by compelling performances across the cast.

New faces joining the Euphoria universe include Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, Natasha Lyonne, Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch, Sam Trammell, and Asante Blackk, signaling a wider world beyond the core group. At the same time, Storm Reid, Austin Abrams, and Javon Walton will not return for the new season. The show will also move forward without the late actor Angus Cloud, who played Fezco. 

Ultimately, with its time jump setting the stage for bigger stakes and harder choices, Euphoria season 3 appears poised to mature alongside its characters rather than replace them. The series seems focused on evolution, not erasure, allowing familiar faces to exist alongside new additions.

As the show moves into adulthood, its tone is expected to feel darker and more reflective, with some speculating a mood closer to Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another. If anything, the shift signals confidence in its cast and a willingness to take creative risks.

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What do you think of Euphoria 3 keeping its core cast intact despite the time jump? Let us know in the comments.