Sydney Sweeney says that she wants her character Cassie to get even eviler in Euphoria season 3. The hit teen show, which stars Zendaya and is based on the Israeli miniseries of the same name, debuted on HBO in 2019. Although the pandemic delayed Euphoria season 2 by a few years, the show finally returned earlier in 2022 and earned even more attention from fans and critics alike, doubling its viewership over the previous season. Naturally, back in February, HBO renewed Euphoria season 3, although it's unclear when the show will return due to the cast's busy schedules.
One of the standout characters on Euphoria season 2 was Cassie Howard, played by Sydney Sweeney. She is the older sister of Maude Apatow's character Lexi, who famously put on a play about the show's characters in the season 2 finale episodes. Euphoria season 2's prominent Cassie storyline saw Sweeney's character begin a secret (and toxic) relationship with her best friend's ex-boyfriend, Nate Jacobs. This not only led to her having a nervous breakdown, but it also saw the dissolution of her friendship with Maddy after Alexa Demie's character was told about the affair by Rue (Zendaya). Two of Cassie's breakthrough moments this season came in episodes 3 and 4. First, she had a much-memed scene in a bathroom where she uttered the now-iconic line "I have never ever been happier." Then in the following episode, she realized she was "crazier" than Maddy, one of the season's other standout characters, played by Alexa Demie.
While attending the Canneseries TV Festival, Sweeney spoke to Variety about her role on Euphoria. When asked what side of Cassie's character she'd like to explore more in Euphoria season 3, she was quick to respond that "I would love to play with more of that [evil and dark and serious] streak." She admits that she likes playing characters who are "complex and have multiple layers" and are designed to "make people think and make me think." Read her full quote below:
There was a bit of Cassie that I got to play with when she started saying that she’s crazier than Maddy in a scene with Nate. And she kind of got a little more evil and dark and serious, and not so frantic. I would love to play with more of that streak within herself.
I like playing characters that are complex and have multiple layers. And people wonder if they’re evil or good, and pure or not. I like playing characters that make people think and make me think.
Sweeney will most likely get what she wants in season 3 as the events of Euphoria season 2's ending saw her lose everything she had worked for in the previous episodes. It's unclear what path this will send her on as it certainly hinted that redemption is possible, but one thing is very clear - Euphoria loves a rock bottom moment and Cassie doesn't seem to be there quite yet. It's possible Euphoria season 3 could see her fall even further before she finally reconciles with her friends and family. The chance to see Sweeney dive into an even meatier side of Cassie is likely also enticing for show creator, writer, and director Sam Levinson.
Not only did she prove her acting bonafide in another HBO show, The White Lotus, but she will also be exploring more roles in the intervening years between seasons. Sweeney will soon be co-starring with Dakota Johnson in the Madame Web film from Sony's Spider-Man universe. The Spider-Man films have served her Euphoria co-star Zendaya (who plays MJ in the MCU's Homecoming trilogy) well, so Sweeney may be tempted away from the TV trenches to pursue the comic book franchise and more film opportunities. As it stands, Euphoria is still one of the most popular entertainment titles in modern media. As long as the audience is there and Cassie keeps deepening as a character, there will be a lot to play with that will convince Sweeney to stay put. The show has also likely been making contingency plans in case Zendaya should leave after season 3, and that might include boosting Cassie's role even more than they already have.
Source: Variety