Sam Levinson Fought to Keep Angus Cloud Clean: ‘He Was the Backbone’ of 'Euphoria' Season 3

Published 04/10/2026, 3:22 PM CDT

The highly anticipated return of Euphoria season 3 brings a heavy heart as the creative force behind the series reveals how the loss of a key star reshaped the entire narrative. As production moves forward, it has become clear that the upcoming episodes will serve as a profound tribute to a talent gone too soon. Sam Levinson recently opened up about how the original plans for the season shift and how important Angus Cloud had been to the show.

The confession by Sam Levinson explores the deep bond between the creator and the actor who defined the series.

Sam Levinson's original vision for Angus Cloud in Euphoria

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In a recent conversation with the New York Times, creator Sam Levinson shared that the late Angus Cloud was intended to be the backbone of the third season of Euphoria. Before the production hurdles of 2023, the scripts focused heavily on Fezco’s journey through the legal system. Levinson even encouraged the actor to prepare physically for an intense prison storyline to help him focus on his personal well-being.

"Angus was the backbone of that season. I used to even talk to him about it because I wanted him to stay clean", Levinson expressed.

The director admitted that he had previously planned for the character to die at the end of the first and second seasons. However, he could not bring himself to write those scenes because he wanted Cloud to have a professional goal to hold onto.

By keeping the character alive in previous years, Levinson hoped to provide the actor with a sense of stability and purpose. This creative decision allowed fans to enjoy more of the nuanced performance that made the character a global favorite. The original scripts would have seen a much more physically imposing and central version of the beloved Fezco.

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The production team eventually had to find a way to honour his memory while continuing the complex story.

A red carpet tribute and narrative legacy

At the recent premiere for the third season, the cast and crew gathered to reflect on the emotional journey of filming without their colleague. Sam Levinson spoke openly about the difficulty of the production process following the loss of such a deeply loved team member. He emphasized that the newest version of the story is specifically designed to keep the spirit of the actor alive.

The creator told reporters that he fought hard to support the actor throughout their years of working together on the set.

"Losing Angus was really hard for us as a production. I loved him very deeply", he stated to Variety during the red-carpet event. The episodes premiering this Sunday have been rewritten to serve as a formal honor to his lasting legacy.

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This thematic shift ensures that the character of Fezco remains a vital part of the show's history even in his absence. The new scripts aim to provide closure for the fans who connected so deeply with the character over the years. This season represents a bittersweet milestone for a series that has always pushed the boundaries of emotional storytelling.

Angus Cloud, the actor who played him, did die in real life on July 31, 2023 but Season 3 is written to honor him and keep his character alive.

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What do you think about Sam Levinson's thought about Angus Cloud? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1170 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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