The 21-year-old actress, who played Zendaya’s younger sister in the hit HBO drama series, has announced that she will not be returning for the third season of Euphoria.
“I’m really excited for season three. Unfortunately, Gia isn’t coming back for season three, but I’m so incredibly grateful to the cast and crew of the show, to HBO,” said the 21-year-old actress on the red carpet at the Governors Awards on Sunday, speaking to Rotten Tomatoes.
“Euphoria is truly something special, and I’m so thankful it’s a part of my legacy and that I was a part of such a cultural phenomenon,” Reid continued. “I’ll be forever grateful, forever indebted.”
“And I can’t wait to see what season three has in store. I’m really excited,” she added.
Reid starred in the first two seasons of Euphoria, which aired in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Last year, she won an Emmy for her guest role in another HBO series, The Last of Us.
Euphoria had been on a long hiatus, with delays caused by the 2023 Writer’s Guild and Actors Guild strikes, as well as scheduling conflicts among the cast.
However, HBO confirmed that production for the third season will begin in January.
Reid is not the only original cast member not returning for season three. After the second season, Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez, also announced her departure from the hit series. Her exit came after HBO denied reports of a “toxic” work environment.
The 27-year-old actress stated on a podcast last year that it was a “mutual decision” to leave the show before season three, explaining that her character had completed her arc.
Another member of the Euphoria cast who will not appear in season three is Angus Cloud, who tragically passed away in July 2023 at the age of 25 due to a drug overdose. Cloud portrayed the drug dealer Fezco.
Zendaya and her co-stars Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, and Colman Domingo are expected to return for the new season.
Just last week, HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed that the show is still on track for filming to start in the new year.
“Nothing has changed,” he told Hollywood Reporter. “We’re excited. We’re moving forward. It’s eight episodes.”
The premiere date for season three of Euphoria has not yet been announced.
