Euphoria we wrapped up the series with a tragic death – but there are many characters killed on screen.
On the Sunday, May 31, episode of the HBO show, Rue (Zendaya) which was very surprising when he started taking painkillers again. This led to his death due to an accidental overdose of pills laced with fentanyl.
Ali (Colman Domingo) wanted revenge and killed the Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) in his club. At the same time, Laurie (Martha Kelly) died by suicide when the DEA raided his property and G (Marshawn Lynch) was another victim of Ali who raided the club to avenge Rue's memory.
Euphoria premiered in 2019 and originally followed troubled high school student Rue as she struggles to stay sober after rehab. The hit HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took almost three years for the episodes to air.
During the seasons, the actors lost several times after that Eric Danewho played Cal, died in February at the age of 53 after a battle with ALS. Angus Cloudon the other hand, he died at the age of 25 and the creator Sam Levinson devoted a season to the actor and his character, Fez.
In the aftermath of Sunday's episode, Levinson explained why Rue died of drug addiction, saying, “The bottom line is that people like Rue don't make it.
Levinson reflected on his history with addiction – before addressing Cloud's death in July 2025 following an accidental overdose.
“People are going back and dying. They're not ready to get clean. And they weren't dying now that they're full of fentanyl in this country,” he explained. “I can say with certainty that if I had experienced it when I was young, I would not be here.”
He continued: “There is no reason to smear it, I wanted to tell the story of Angus and people who were not given a second chance.”
Levinson called the ending “a sincere ending.”
“Zendaya's performance has been so beautiful and unique throughout these seasons. We fell in love with this character – this girl who was flawed and f**ked but with a good heart,” he said. “It's a blessing to work with talented people and people you love.”
Levinson noted that the show was always building up to Rue's death, and added, “Ultimately, I wanted to tell an honest story about addiction.”
Euphoria now streaming on HBO Max.
