The chaotic third season of HBO’s Euphoria draws to a close Sunday — and, if the trailer is anything to go by, we’re in for an explosive finale.

The hit teen drama has courted controversy ever since its debut in 2019, while making superstars of Gen-Z cast members like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi.

But Season 3 has been Euphoria‘s most divisive yet, drawing backlash from critics and viewers over its graphic depictions of sex, violence and drug abuse.

As the finale approaches, fans are wondering whether Euphoria is setting up another season — or preparing to say goodbye for good. Here’s what we know about the prospects for Season 4, and why the signs aren’t encouraging. But beware: this article contains spoilers for the third season.

Will there be a ‘Euphoria’ Season 4?

HBO has yet to confirm if Euphoria will return for a fourth season.

The network has listed the Season 3 finale as a “season finale,” rather than a “series finale,” leaving the door open to further episodes — but that’s far from an official confirmation that it will be back on screens.

Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, told Variety in April that he writes “every season like it’s the last season” and had “no plans” for a possible Season 4. Meanwhile, Zendaya told The Drew Barrymore Show that Season 3 was likely to be the end, saying: “Closure is coming.”

Even if Euphoria is renewed, fans may face another long wait. Season 3 arrived nearly four years after Season 2, following repeated delays tied to scheduling conflicts and Hollywood strikes.

Why Season 3 feels like a final chapter

Season 3 has felt less like a new era for Euphoria — and more like a chaotic, divisive final chapter. Several major storylines have reached violent or emotional breaking points, including the gruesome death of Elordi’s character in the penultimate episode.

Critics and viewers have accused the HBO drama of leaning too heavily into shock value, with The Guardian calling it “a grubby, humorless work of torture porn” and The Hollywood Reporter saying the series “leaps closer to flashy irrelevance.”

Some of the most controversial moments have centered on Sweeney’s portrayal of an OnlyFans model — especially scenes in which she dresses up as a baby and a dog, which angered real-life creators.

Whether or not HBO eventually renews the series, Euphoria appears to have drifted from the emotional storytelling that once made it a cultural phenomenon.

Why HBO may struggle to bring the cast back

One of the biggest obstacles facing a potential fourth season is the cast itself. Euphoria‘s young stars have become some of the most in-demand names in Hollywood, which could make it difficult for HBO to reunite them for another lengthy shoot.

Zendaya balances blockbuster franchises like Dune and Marvel’s Spider-Man movies, alongside buzzy indie dramas and fashion partnerships. Sweeney, meanwhile, has a string of projects lined up, including the sci-fi epic Gundam and a sequel to the thriller The Housemaid.

Another breakout star, Hunter Schafer, is appearing in a new Blade Runner TV series, and Maude Apatow recently stepped behind the camera for her directorial debut — further signs that Euphoria‘s cast may be ready to move on.

The offscreen losses that changed ‘Euphoria’

Euphoria‘s future has also been complicated by major offscreen losses.

Angus Cloud, who played fan-favorite character Fez, died from a drug overdose in July 2023 at age 25. Eric Dane, who portrayed Cal Jacobs, died in February 2026 after being diagnosed with ALS.

Both actors remained closely associated with the show — Dane appeared posthumously in Season 3 — and their deaths have added to the sense among some fans that Euphoria may be approaching a natural ending point.

For now, the show’s fate rests with HBO — and whatever Sunday’s finale leaves unresolved.