In the world of Euphoria, the characters of Rue and Maddy have always drawn the most attention, brought to life by Zendaya and Alexa Demie. But imagine for a moment if those roles had been played by someone else entirely, subtly shifting the tone of the series as we know it. At the centre of this what-if stands Myha'la Herrold, also known as Myha’la, who has now reflected on auditioning for both roles, revealing how close Euphoria came to a completely different reality.

So how differently would Euphoria have unfolded if those defining roles had found another face at the centre of its chaos and emotion

The American actress Myha'la, widely recognised for her breakout role as Harper Stern in Industry, recently revealed in a conversation with Complex that she had auditioned for two of Euphoria’s most defining and chaotic characters, Rue and Maddy. Reflecting on the experience, she shared that her life would not be what it is today had she been cast, and she believes the show itself would not have become what it is either. Emphasising how timing and casting shape everything, she pointed out that Industry, Euphoria, and even Atlanta became what they are because the right people were in the room at the right moment, adding that such moments of alignment rarely happen twice.

“Yeah, I did, I did… My life wouldn’t be my life today if I was in Euphoria. And I also don’t think Euphoria would be what it is today if I was in it," Myha'la told Complex.

Well, it is hard to disagree, as Myha'la has firmly carved her own space in Hollywood, steadily taking the spotlight with a diverse lineup of roles. From playing Maria in They Will K*** You to Tisha in Swiped, Linda Page in Dead Man’s Wire, and Ruth Scott in Leave the World Behind, she has continued to build a strong and versatile screen presence. Add to that performances like Riri in Dumb Money, Jordan in Bodies Bodies Bodies, and Harper Stern in Industry, and it is clear her trajectory has been anything but accidental. 

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Meanwhile, Industry has been climbing relentlessly since 2020, and season 4 has only intensified the momentum, landing a perfect critics' score almost instantly and pushing anticipation for what comes next to an all-time high.

Following the release of season 4 of Industry on January 11, 2026, which quickly drew strong viewership and critical response, HBO had already confirmed on February 25, 2026, that the series would return for a fifth and final season. Averaging around 1.7 million viewers per episode, up significantly from the previous season, the show has locked in its final chapter, with creators deciding to end the story on a high note. While the official release date is yet to be announced, season 5 is expected around 2027.

As speculation around the cast continues, key dynamics like the intense rivalry between Harper Stern, played by Myha'la, and Yasmin, played by Marisa Abela, are expected to remain central, even as new faces may enter the picture. Meanwhile, as fans await official updates, they can revisit earlier seasons on HBO, where the series has consistently pushed its characters through ruthless arcs inside the high-stakes world of Pierpoint and Co.

And now, as Myha'la continues to rise with Industry, her near-miss with Euphoria only makes her journey feel even more perfectly timed and meant to be.

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What do you think about Myha’la almost being part of Euphoria? Let us know in the comments.