Euphoria’s Zendaya Reacts to Gut-Wrenching Series Finale

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Warning: This story contains Euphoria spoilers.

Euphoria came to a tragic end on May 31.

The third season concluded—and series creator Sam Levinson has confirmed it’s the show’s final season—with Zendaya’s character, Rue, tragically dying from an accidental overdose. She unknowingly took a Percocet pill that was laced with fentanyl.

For the actress, the finale  marked the end of a major chapter in her life.

Zendaya expressed her gratitude to the entire cast and crew, sharing how much she appreciates everyone’s hard work. She noted that many of them have been with her since the beginning of her career and have seen her grow, making the experience both enjoyable and a privilege. She offered a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.

Levinson acknowledges the show wouldn’t have been as successful without his lead actress, who received two Emmy Awards for her performance as Rue.

After the show, one commenter praised Zendaya’s performance as incredibly nuanced and complex throughout the seasons. They explained that audiences connected with her character because she was realistically flawed, made mistakes, but ultimately had a good heart and tried her best, even if she didn’t always succeed.

As he put it, “It’s a blessing to work with talented people and people that you love.”

Levinson, the creator of the HBO show—which has featured stars like Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, and Colman Domingo experiencing both great success and difficult struggles—wanted the ending to honestly portray the difficult truths about addiction.

He also wanted to honor Angus Cloud, who tragically passed away in 2023 from an accidental overdose at just 25 years old.

Domingo got revenge for Rue’s death by killing her drug dealer in a dramatic shootout, reminiscent of an old Western film. Afterward, he found solace and a way to remember her by living a quiet life on a remote farm.

 

Domingo described his intention with the farm scene as finding a way to visually represent the essence of a person’s life – to illuminate their very being with light.

 

Muhammad Ali’s famous line, “Believe in the poetry,” has become incredibly impactful, extending its influence well beyond the movie it appeared in.

What really drove me to create this work was a desire to share a truly honest portrayal of addiction. But it wasn’t just about that; I also wanted to explore the raw, messy experience of grief and the intense emotional upheaval it causes. It felt important to show both sides of that struggle.

Because for the 41-year-old, Rue’s story strikes a personal chord.

He explained that the show addresses a serious issue in the US: addiction. He noted that recovery isn’t always linear, with people often struggling and relapsing. He emphasized that the current opioid crisis, particularly the rise of fentanyl, has made addiction far more deadly. He added that, given today’s dangers, he likely wouldn’t have survived his own past struggles with addiction.

Levinson believed in being direct, stating he wanted to share this story both for Angus and for those who never got another opportunity.

Domingo got revenge for Rue’s death by killing her drug dealer in a dramatic shootout, and then he found solace and a way to remember her by living a quiet life on a remote farm.

Domingo described his intention with the scene at the homestead as finding a way to visually represent a person’s presence or life through lighting.

You know, something Ali said has really stuck with me: ‘Believe in the poetry.’ It’s not just a line from a movie; it feels like a whole philosophy that goes way beyond the screen and into real life. It’s truly inspiring.

He often finds himself thinking of Muhammad Ali. He explained that poetry isn’t just in words, but all around us—in nature and everyday experiences. He believes ‘life is poetry’ and encourages embracing that idea.

Seriously, Rue’s storyline absolutely wrecked me, and if you’re like me and need MORE shows with equally devastating character departures – even deaths that hit just as hard – then keep reading, because I’ve found some for us!

Bridget Regan, who plays Monica Stevens on The Rookie, revealed her character has a knack for survival. She told TV Insider that over the show’s four seasons, Monica has repeatedly avoided death, imprisonment, and even a gruesome fate involving a woodchipper.

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 great years, and I’m just thankful for everything.”

After gaining fame on Dancing With the Stars and starring in Chicago on Broadway, the performer from Utah has announced that the fifth season of the popular Hulu reality show will be her last. She’s leaving to pursue other career opportunities.

Samira Mohan is leaving the show The Pitt. According to Variety, actress Supriya Ganesh won’t be back for the third season of the HBO Max drama.

Fans aren’t surprised by the character’s departure, as it’s been established that Ganesh was planning to move to a new hospital for a residency program.

In a March 2026 episode, the show said farewell to Director Leon Vance, portrayed by Rocky Carroll, after 18 years with the character who first appeared in season five. The 500th episode saw Vance tragically killed in a shootout with a dishonest agent, and he was then reunited with the late Donald “Ducky” Mallard, played by Adam Campbell, in heaven.

Fans were surprised in 2025 to learn that Mehcad Brooks was leaving his role on the NBC crime drama before the start of its twenty-fifth season.

Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.

After almost 20 years on the show, Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver, known for their roles as Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman, have announced they are leaving the medical drama. Their last episode will be the season 22 finale on May 7, 2026, surprising many fans.

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

Confirming the speculation, the former J. Crew Creative Director announced on Instagram on November 21st that she would be joining season 16 of RHONY as a ‘friend of.’ She explained that because she wasn’t comfortable sharing her personal life on camera, they agreed this role was a good fit.

The fashion icon, who started on the Bravo show in 2022 for its fourteenth season, said she eventually decided she didn’t want to be just a supporting player.

After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to return to the show,” she explained. “I’d be the oldest contestant and the only openly gay woman, and I believe this creates a chance for fresh perspectives and a new energy to be introduced.

After nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.

As a longtime fan, it was tough to hear, but Chrishell recently shared that she’s reached a point where she doesn’t need ‘Selling Sunset’ for income. She’s incredibly fortunate to have other work that allows her to prioritize her well-being, and she’s been honest about how the show was starting to negatively impact her mental health. It’s great she’s putting herself first!

Jax Taylor has stated he won’t be participating in season three of The Valley following concerns raised by viewers about his actions in the previous season.

In July 2025, the Bravo star, who is going through a difficult divorce with Brittany Cartwright, explained that he’s currently prioritizing his recovery, mental wellbeing, and raising their son, Cruz. He believes this time is essential for his personal growth and to be the best father he can be.

Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the announcements happening close together.

Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.

I’m still reeling! First Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim left, and now Gardner and Nwodim are gone too! It just doesn’t feel right. They were both absolute staples of the show – Gardner for eight seasons and Nwodim for seven! It’s going to be so weird not seeing them back for Season 51. Honestly, it feels like the end of an era.

Sofia Mattsson finished her role on the soap opera after seven years of playing Sasha Gilmore in the summer of 2025. Her character moved to Paris as part of the storyline.

Tracy Ifeachor, who starred in the popular HBO Max series The Pitt, has left the show after its successful first season.

The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in what she called a truly innovative season of the show. She also thanked viewers for watching, supporting season one, and sharing their personal stories with her.

Even though fans likely expected Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, to die – his fate in April 2025 mirrored events from The Last of Us Part II, the video game the second season of The Last of Us is based on – the shocking way his character was killed still came as a surprise.

Pascal, known for also being killed off in shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t too surprised by his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly, “I get killed a lot. I actually enjoy it!”

Following what he called a “wild adventure,” Peter Krause finished his run as Captain Bobby Nash on the drama 9-1-1 in an episode airing in April 2025.

According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the character Bobby Nash was intentionally created to make a powerful sacrifice, as a tribute to the bravery of first responders. Creator Ryan Krause explained that the character’s storyline is meant to honor those who risk their lives daily so others can live.

The decision to kill off a popular, yet troubled, firefighter was definitely controversial, showrunner Tim Minear told Variety. However, after eight seasons, he felt it was necessary to raise the stakes for future storylines. “Someone’s got to die,” he explained, “if we want to create stories that truly matter.”

Summer just got a little less fun.

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

As many of you know, I’ve been sharing my life with you for the past seven summers, and I’m so incredibly grateful for all the memories we’ve made together. This journey has been amazing, and I cherish the community and opportunities it’s given me. But, as with all things, it’s time to move on and close this chapter. It’s bittersweet, but I’m excited for what’s next!

The popular Netflix show will not feature the French actress in its fifth season, which is scheduled to release in April 2025.

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 said her time on the show was amazing, full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.

Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she will no longer be part of the show.

She shared on social media in July 2023 that her work on the show College Girls brought her to Los Angeles and connected her with many of her closest friends. She added that after two and a half years, it’s also given her a wonderful community of fans like you.

Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also confirmed that Renée Rapp is leaving. She posted on Instagram that they’re sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s upcoming music tour. Kaling expressed a lot of love for Rapp and her talent.

After over a year of speculation, Kevin Costner confirmed in June 2024 that he won’t be back for the final season of the popular Paramount drama, following his departure after four and a half seasons.

In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as Meredith Grey on the ABC drama after 19 seasons as a main cast member.

Pompeo said on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she needed to try new things. Even though she’s already been back for a guest appearance in May and continues to narrate the show, she explained she’s 53 and her brain feels a bit scattered. She joked that you can’t do the New York Times crossword puzzle every day!

But she’s not gone for good. Pompeo still pops in and out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Okay, so this is absolutely devastating news, but Henry Cavill – the Geralt, honestly – is leaving The Witcher after season three! I can’t even believe it. Apparently, Liam Hemsworth is taking over as Geralt starting with season four, and it sounds like he’ll be playing him for the foreseeable future. I’m trying to be open-minded, but… it’s just not going to be the same, is it? Henry was Geralt!

In an October 2022 Instagram post, Henry Cavill announced that after playing Geralt of Rivia, he would be stepping down from his role in Season 4, putting aside his medallion and swords.

It was so sad to see Jesse Lee Soffer leave “Chicago P.D.” in 2022! He played Detective Jay Halstead for ten amazing seasons, and saying goodbye to his character felt like losing a part of the show. I was definitely heartbroken when he turned in his badge.

Everyone involved with the show has poured their heart and soul into making each week’s episode, and it’s been a rewarding experience,” said Jesse Soffer after his last appearance on the NBC show on October 5th. “I’m incredibly proud of my work as Detective Jay Halstead.

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.

In August 2021, Emily VanCamp left the TV show The Resident on Fox, meaning she would no longer be playing her role as a doctor.

Madeleine Mantock, who played Macy on the CW’s Charmed reboot, decided to leave the show after three seasons. She announced her departure in 2021 before season four began, calling the role a great opportunity and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, cast, and crew. She said she truly enjoyed working with everyone.

Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about Raymond Reddington. Megan Boone, who played Liz on NBC’s The Blacklist, decided to leave the show after eight seasons, and her character was killed off before she could discover a crucial secret revealed in a letter. Boone described her time on the show as “a dream” in a 2021 Instagram post, marking the end of her character’s storyline.

The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Rege-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the first season of the popular Netflix drama. His departure was announced in 2021, disappointing many viewers.

He told Vanity Fair that he simply did the work he’d agreed to, and then took on additional assignments. He admitted he wished there was a more exciting story behind it all.

Ruby Rose first appeared as Batwoman (Kate Kane) in a 2018 Arrowverse event and then led the CW’s Batwoman series for one season. This was a landmark moment, as she became the first openly lesbian superhero to star in her own show. However, Rose announced her departure from the series just two days after the first season finale aired in 2020. In season two, Javicia Leslie took over the role, playing a new character named Ryan Wilder who would become the new Batwoman.

Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.

America Ferrera left the show Superstore after its fifth season in 2020, which meant both Cloud 9 lost a manager and the show lost a central character. Though she appeared in the first couple of episodes of season six due to pandemic-related delays, she ultimately returned for the series finale, after it was decided season six would be the last, to give her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) a satisfying conclusion.

In the 2019 finale of the Syfy series The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully saved Eliot (Hale Appleman), but died in the process. Although the show often features character deaths—it is called The Magicians—Ralph did not reprise his role in the show’s fifth and final season.

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2026-06-01 17:49