‘Euphoria’ star Storm Reid announces shocking exit from the show before Season 3

· New York Post

“Euphoria” has lost another major cast member for Season 3.

Storm Reid, who played Zendaya’s on-screen sister Gia Bennett, announced that she’s not returning to the HBO teen drama series.

“I’m very excited for Season 3. Unfortunately, Gia’s not returning to the third season, but I am so so indebted to the cast and the crew of that show, to HBO,” the 21-year-old actress told Rotten Tomatoes at the Governors Awards red carpet on Sunday.

Storm Reid in “Euphoria.” Eddy Chen/HBO
Storm Reid in “Euphoria.” Eddy Chen/HBO

“Euphoria’s a really special thing and I’m so glad that that’s a part of my legacy and that I was a part of such a cultural phenomenon,” Reid continued. “I’m forever grateful, forever indebted.”

“And I can’t wait to see what Season 3 has in store. I’m very excited,” she added.

The Post has reached out to HBO for comment.

Storm Reid at the 2024 Governors Awards. FilmMagic

Reid starred in the first two seasons of “Euphoria,” which aired in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Last year, she won an Emmy Award for her guest role in HBO’s “The Last Of Us.”

Storm Reid and Zendaya in “Euphoria.” Eddy Chen/HBO

“Euphoria” has been on a long hiatus. Delays were caused by the 2023 Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes in Hollywood, as well as scheduling conflicts among the star-studded cast.

However, HBO has confirmed that production on Season 3 is set to begin in January.

Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Barbie Ferreira, Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer and Nika King at the “Euphoria” premiere in 2019. Penske Media via Getty Images

After Season 2, Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez, announced that she was leaving the show. News of her exit came after HBO denied the reports of a “toxic” workplace environment.

Ferriera, 27, said on a podcast last year that it was a “mutual decision” for her to leave the series before Season 3, explaining that Kat’s character arc had run its course.

Barbie Ferreira in “Euphoria.” Eddy Chen/HBO

Another “Euphoria” cast member who won’t be in Season 3 is Angus Cloud, who died in July 2023 at the age of 25. His death was ruled an accidental overdose due to the combined effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and benzodiazepine.

Cloud played local drug dealer Fezco on the show.

Maude Apatow and Angus Cloud in “Euphoria.” HBO

Zendaya and her co-stars Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane and Colman Domingo are all expected to be in the new season.

“I am thrilled that we are ready to begin production on ‘Euphoria’ in January. We could not be happier with our creative partnership with Sam and this incredible cast,” Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming and head of HBO drama series and films, said in a statement in July.

Euphoria.
Storm Reid, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, and Maude Apatow at the Vanity Fair and Lancôme Toast Women In Hollywood event in Feb. 2019. Getty Images for Vanity Fair

“We look forward to bringing this new season of ‘Euphoria’ to life for the fans,” Orsi added.

Just last week, HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed the show is still on track to begin filming in the new year.

“Nothing has changed,” Bloys told The Hollywood Reporter. “We are happy. We’re moving ahead. It’s eight episodes.”

“Euphoria” Season 3 does not have a premiere date.