HBO's Euphoria: Who is in the cast and who are they playing?
HBO's new drama series has a HUGE cast of rising stars including Zendaya and Jacob Elordi - but who else is in the cast and which characters do they play?
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1. Meet the cast of HBO's new teen drama Euphoria
After 2 and a half years, Euphoria has finally returned with a dramatic second season that is set to take HBO by storm. The Award-winning series, which provides a frank and honest portrayal of teen life in today's society, was written by Sam Levinson and executively produced by Drake. It boasts a huge ensemble cast of young actors, including Zendaya (who has already won an Emmy for her performance) and up and coming actors like Hunter Schafer, Angus Cloud and Alexia Demie. [Getty]
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2. Who plays Rue in Euphoria? – Zendaya
Zendaya plays Rue Bennett, a 17-year-old, high-school student who struggles to find her place in the world, and has a drug addiction. Of course, you'll know Zendaya from her Disney Channel days in 'Shake It Off' and 'KC Undercover' and more recently, 'The Greatest Showman' and as MJ in the Spider-Man movies opposite boyfriend Tom Holland. [Getty]
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3. Who plays Nate Jacobs in Euphoria? – Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi plays Nate Jacobs in Euphoria. Over the past few years, Jacob's star has catapulted. Jacob is, of course, best known for his role as Noah Flynn in Netflix's Kissing Booth series, and has previously had roles in Swining Safari, The Mortuary Collection and 2 Hearts. [Getty]
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4. Who plays Jules in Euphoria? – Hunter Schafer
Jules, a trans girl who quickly befriends Rue after moving to town, is played by model and trans-activist Hunter Schafer, and will be her first on-screen role. Schafer has been incredibly active in the trans community and in 2016, she was part of the protest against North Carolina's House Bill 2 that forced trans individuals to use bathrooms that didn't reflect their gender identity. [via Instagram]
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5. Who plays Gia in Euphoria? – Storm Reid
A Wrinkle In Time's Storm Reid plays Gia Bennett, Rue's younger sister. The 18-year-old actress has also appeared in The Suicide Squad, The Invisible Man, and Don't Let Go. One of her first on-screen roles was in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. On TV, Storm has also appeared in Ava DuVernay's Netflix miniseries When They See Us. Storm also features in Jay-Z ft. Beyoncé's Family Feud video. [Getty]
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6. Who plays Maddy in Euphoria? – Alexa Demie
Alexa Demie plays Maddy Perez, Nate's on-again and off-again girlfriend, in the series. You might recognise Alexa from her roles on 'Ray Donovan' and Netflix's 'Love'. She also appeared in one episode of Netflix's 'The OA'. On the big screen, she's appeared in Mid90s, Waves and Mainstream, opposite Andrew Garfield and Maya Hawke. [via Instagram]
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7. Who plays Cassie in Euphoria? – Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney plays Lexi's older sister in Euphoria. Sydney previously starred in the cancelled-too-soon Netflix coming-of-age series 'Everything Sucks'. You'll also know her as Eden in The Handmaid's Tale and Alice in HBO's Sharp Objects. Sydney also took on a role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. Her recent 2021 credits include, The Voyeurs, Night Teeth and Machine Gun Kelly's Downfalls High movie. Sydney also recently starred in HBO's The White Lotus as Olivia. [Getty]
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8. Who plays Chris McKay on Euphoria? – Algee Smith
Algee Smith took over the role of McKay from Brian "Astro" Bradley, who dropped out during filming for the pilot episode. McKay is a young football player who is having difficulties adjusting to college. Prior to Euphoria, Algee's most well known roles were in The Hate U Give and Detroit. More recently, he can be seen in Judas and the Black Messiah and A Black Lady Sketch Show. [Getty]
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9. Who plays Fezco in Euphoria? – Angus Cloud
Fezco, the local drug dealer with a close connection to Rue, is played by Angus Cloud. Euphoria is actually Angus' first on-screen role. In 2021, he appeared in the movie North Hollywood and is also set to appear in Your Lucky Day and The Things They Carried, opposite Tom Hardy, Pete Davidson and Bill Skarsgård. [Getty]
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10. Who plays Lexi in Euphoria? – Maude Apatow
Maude plays Lexi Howard, Rue's sensible childhood friend and Cassie's younger sister. Maude's first on-screen role was in Knocked Up as Sadie opposite Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl and also appeared in the spin-off sequel This Is 40 opposite Paul Rudd and her real life mum Leslie Mann. Maude can also be seen in HBO's Girls and Netflix's Hollywood as well as the films Assassination Nation and The King of Staten Island. [Getty]
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11. Who plays Kat in Euphoria? – Barbie Ferreira
Barbie Ferreira plays Kat, a body-conscious teen exploring her sexuality. Barbie is an actress and model who previously appeared in a 10-episode series for Vice called "How To Behave". She also had a role in the Sarah Jessica Parker-led series 'Divorce' on HBO and co-starred in the 2020 movie Unpregnant. Barbie is next set to appear in Jordan Peele's 2022 movie Nope. [Getty]
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12. Who plays Elliot in Euphoria season 2? – Dominic Fike
Dominic Fike plays Elliot in Euphoria season 2. Elliot is a new friend of Rue’s who she meets at rehab. He ends up in a love triangle with Rue and Jules. Euphoria is Dominic’s first on-screen role. As well as an actor, Dominic is a singer, songwriter, and musician who has collocated with the likes of Halsey, Justin Bieber and Kevin Abstract. [Getty]
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13. Who plays Cal Jacobs in Euphoria? – Eric Dane
Yes, that really is Grey's Anatomy's McSteamy playing Nate's dad in Euphoria. Eric Dane plays Cal Jacobs, Nate's father who is hiding secrets from his family. Since leaving Grey's, Dane has played the lead role of Captain Tom Chandler in TNT's 'The Last Ship'. In 2021, Eric returned to Grey's Anatomy for one final episode as Dr. Mark Sloan, in a dream sequence. [Getty]
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14. Who plays Leslie in Euphoria? – Nika King
Comedian and actress Nika King plays the role of Leslie Bennett, Rue and Gia's mother. Nika has had roles in 'Two Broke Girls', 'Hannah Montana', 'Greenleaf' and most recently, in the comedy web series 'Funny Married Stuff'. [Getty]
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15. Who did Brian "Astro" Bradley play in Euphoria?
Astro (actor, rapper and former X-Factor contestant) was originally cast as McKay in the series but it’s been reported that he quit after becoming uncomfortable with the graphic nature of the show. He was replaced by Algee Smith (The Hate You Give) and his scenes from the pilot - including a sex scene with Sydney Sweeney - were reshot.
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16. Who plays Ashtray in Euphoria? – Javon "Wanna" Walton
Javon “Wanna” Walton plays Ashtray on Euphoria. Ashtray is Fez’s little brother. Euphoria is Javon’s first on-screen role. Since starring in Euphoria, Javon has gone to appear in Utopia as Grant Bishop, voice Pugsley Addams inn The Addams Family 2 and is set to appear opposite Sylvester Stallone in 2022’s Samaritan. As well as acting, Javon is an elite level gymnast and boxer with hopes of going to the Olympics. [Alamy]
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17. Who plays Ali in Euphoria? – Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo plays Ali in Euphoria. Ali is Rue’s Narcotics Anonymous sponsor. Colman first appeared in Rue’s bridge episode and returned as Ali in season 2. Colman is best known on screen for playing Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. His film credits include Selma, If Beale Street Could Talk, Zola, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Candyman. Colman is also an acclaimed stage actor, having been nominated for a Tony Award for playing Mr. Bones in The Scottsboro Boys in 2011. [Alamy]
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18. Who plays Fez's grandma in Euphoria? – Kathrine Narducci
Kathrine Narducci plays the younger version of Fezco’s grandma in Euphoria season 2. Fez’s Grandma is seen in season 2 episode 1 and is shown to be a prominent drug dealer before she collapses and ends up bed-ridden. Kathrine is best known for her role as Artie Bucco’s wife Charmaine on The Sopranos. She’s also appeared in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and Starz’ Power as Frankie Lavarro. [Alamy]
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19. Who plays BB in Euphoria? – Sophia Rose Wilson
Sophia Rose Wilson plays Barbara Brooks a.k.a. BB a.k.a. Vape Girl in Euphoria. BB can often be seen hanging out with Maddy, Cassie and Kat. She appears in several episodes but has not been the focus of a centric episode as of yet. Euphoria is actually Sophia’s first and only on-screen credit. In an interview with Good Day Columbus, Sophia explained that she was scouted for the show while out shopping. She auditioned, secured the role and began filming in Los Angeles. [HBO]
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20. Who plays Derek in Euphoria? - Henry Eikenberry
Henry Eikenberry plays young Derek in Euphoria season 2. Derek is Cal’s former high school best friend. After graduation, the two develop feelings for each other and share a kiss but later end up drifting apart. Based on Henry’s IMDB page, Euphoria appears to be his first on-screen role. [HBO]
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21. Who plays Young Cal in Euphoria? - Elias Kacavas
Young Cal Jacobs is played by Elias Kacavas in Euphoria season 2. Elias appears as the younger version of Eric Dane’s character in the third episode of the second season. Elias was a student at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts before dropping out to appear in Euphoria and the upcoming Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. [HBO]
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22. Who plays baby Rue in Euphoria? – Alumière Glass
Alumière Glass plays the role of 3-year-old Rue Bennett in Euphoria season 2. On Instagram, Alumière’s father Scott Embry described their experience on set, and hanging out with Zendaya: “She had a really good time. The film crew was so cool. Alumiere offered Zendaya a pack of gummy bears, but instead of taking it, Zendaya gave her healthy advice that stuck - now Alumiere says "Zendaya eat fruits. No candy." [HBO]
