Euphoria’s Sam Levinson Reveals Inspiration Behind Season 3 Death

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Sam Levinson knew Nate had it coming—but Euphoria fans did too.  

Following the death of Jacob Elordi’s character, Nate Jacobs, in the second-to-last episode of the show’s final season, the show’s creator explained the reasoning behind making his death so violent.

Levinson recently told Esquire magazine that he often considers what the audience expects in terms of fairness or consequences. He then tries to deliver that, but in a way that’s so disturbing and stressful that viewers question whether they actually wanted it to happen.

Levinson perfectly captured the tension of Nate’s frightening departure. Throughout the season, Nate had barely escaped the clutches of loan shark Naz (Jack Topalian), who had already brutally injured him by cutting off a finger and some toes. Ultimately, Nate couldn’t escape his debts, and they finally led to this point.

In a desperate attempt to save Nate, Naz buried him alive, giving Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) 72 hours to raise a million dollars to secure his release. Although Cassie managed to pay the money, Nate tragically died after being bitten by a rattlesnake before he could be rescued.

Levinson likely made Nate’s death quite upsetting to force viewers to confront their true feelings about him as a character.

Levinson explained to the publication that there’s a satisfying feeling when a character faces consequences, and he enjoys how the audience shares in that feeling. It creates a moment where you question whether the character’s fate was just, and if they should have been treated better. He noted it’s interesting to play with those feelings within the broader story.

As Levinson put it, “Those kinds of questions are always exciting to pose to the audience.”

Elordi thought his character’s death was a fitting end, and a good way to leave the show, which will finish airing after its final episodes on May 31st.

During a post-episode discussion, Elordi explained that Nate has made a lot of bad decisions and errors in judgment, and it’s satisfying to see the consequences of those choices play out.

For more shocking TV exits, keep reading…

As a huge fan of The Rookie, I was fascinated to learn more about Bridget Regan’s character, Monica Stevens. Bridget herself told TV Insider that Monica isn’t someone you can easily get rid of! Apparently, throughout the four seasons, Monica has survived multiple assassination attempts, even time in prison, and – get this – being thrown into a woodchipper! It really shows you what a resourceful and dangerous character she is.

Regan said she wasn’t shocked when the attorney’s character died in an April 2026 episode. “It felt right,” she explained. “She’d been on the show for four years and had a great run, so I’m just thankful for everything.”

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In a March 2026 episode, the show said farewell to Director Leon Vance, a character played by Rocky Carroll, after 18 years on the series. His character was killed in a shootout with a dishonest agent during the show’s 500th episode and was then reunited with the late Donald “Ducky” Mallard (played by Adam Campbell) in heaven.

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Jenna Lyons has confirmed she won’t be back for season 16 of The Real Housewives of New York City.

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In June 2025, Paige DeSorbo revealed she was leaving the Bravo series after being on the show for seven seasons.

The host of the Giggly Squad podcast announced to her followers on Instagram that she’s leaving after seven years. She expressed gratitude for the experiences, the community, and the opportunities she’s had, saying it’s time to move on to new things, even though it’s bittersweet.

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In an Instagram post on April 23rd, the actress announced she’s leaving Emily in Paris. She shared photos with her former co-stars and described her time on the show as a fantastic experience full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.

Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she’s leaving the show.

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2026-05-26 15:48