The casting director for Euphoria reveals why Hunter Schafer originally turned down the role of Jules Vaughn. In the HBO teen drama, which was created by Sam Levinson, Jules has an important role to play. She’s the person that lead character Rue Bennett (Zendaya) is most curious about and affectionate towards, with their burgeoning relationship providing season 1 with much of its levity and tenderness. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, Jules has been involved in her share of dark storylines.
Jules arguably kicks off the major events of Euphoria, as she meets up with married father Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane) for a motel hookup that hangs over the characters for the rest of the series. Although she’s conflicted about the whole experience, particularly its connection to Cal’s son, Nate (Jacob Elordi), Jules is otherwise depicted as outgoing and open about her body. It’s one of the aspects that has endeared Jules to audiences, with many arguing that the character should have a bigger spotlight in Euphoria season 3.
In an interview with Variety, casting director Jennifer Venditti discusses the process of bringing the Euphoria ensemble together, and mentions why Schafer originally turned down the role of Jules. As Venditti explains, Schafer was a model and not an actor prior to Euphoria. She wasn’t comfortable, at first, with how the part would require nudity and potential sexual situations, and because of this, Schafer’s agent initially passed. After she met up with the casting director though, she decided to pursue the role:
“I reached out to her agent and they originally passed. [The actor] had to be open to any kind of sexual situations. So imagine that you were not really thinking of acting, and someone brings an opportunity with possible nudity. I was like, ‘Can we just meet?’ Obviously, I’d respect her decision if that was something that, ultimately, she wasn’t comfortable with. But I didn’t feel comfortable just not having a discussion about it to see what her thoughts were and to explain what it was.
She did her auditions with [the first-time actor who was being considered for Rue]. And she also did something that I think is so beautiful: when it was time for the other young woman to do a scene that was hers, she showed up for her. She was so present and so natural with these other scenes that weren’t hers. You find that with good actors, that’s what they do for each other.”
Euphoria has come under fire in the past for what some have argued is an over-reliance on nudity. Critics point to the fact that guest actors, like season 2's Minka Kelly, have asked that certain nude scenes be removed from the script, as they didn’t feel they were necessary. Star Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Cassie Howard, has also spoken in-depth about her experiences with the series’ sex scenes and the instances in which she felt they weren't needed for the story. That is a debate that is likely to continue as actors speak more openly about their complex feelings towards sex scenes.
But regardless of where anyone comes down on the prevalence and importance of sex and nudity in film and television, it’s no question that Euphoria was quite fortunate in its decision to cast Schafer. Despite Jules being her first role, she broke out and got noticed in a crowded young cast, both because of her warmth and her personal connection to Jules’ journey. This was evident in an hour-long Euphoria special which turned the spotlight over to Jules, a gripping episode that will hopefully continue when the series returns.
Source: Variety