Side-By-Side Pics Of The Euphoria Cast From The First Season To Now Are Jarring

In June 2019, HBO's "Euphoria" officially premiered, introducing the world to a very different idea of high school. Not only were many of the topics extremely intense, with the lead Rue Bennett (played by the uber-talented Zendaya) struggling with drug addiction, but it gave pretty graphic insight into what being a teenager can look like for some people. It also quickly elevated the careers of Hunter Schafer and Sydney Sweeney, while solidifying Zendaya as one of the most talented actors of her generation.

But that was — at the time of this writing — nearly seven years ago. While "Euphoria" had a second season that was released in 2022, fans had to wait with bated breath for a whopping four years for the third installment. Since then, not only have the real-life actors behind the characters grown-up both professionally and personally, but the cast also lost two people. Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, died from an accidental drug overdose in July 2023; and Eric Dane, who played Nate Jacobs' dad Cal, passed away from ASL-related complications in February 2026. However, Dane appears in Season 3, and Cloud's character is actually still alive in the series.

As we get ready for another round of Rue and friends, who are now in their 20s and apparently just as disastrous in their behavior as they were in high school, it's a good time to look back at how much of a difference four years can make. It's also the perfect opportunity to pull out your favorite dopamine beauty looks to boost your mood. After all, that's the most appropriate way to watch Season 3 of "Euphoria."

Although everyone looked quite different at the "Euphoria" Season 3 premiere in April 2026, it was Alexa Demie, who plays Maddy Perez, who really had heads turning. Demie ditched the heavy eye makeup that we're so used to seeing her rock, and instead giving the no makeup-makeup trend a try. With her hair styled in the ultimate beach waves and wearing a vintage silver-and-gold striped Bob Mackie gown from 1991, the fresh-faced Demie looked absolutely stunning. Granted, it's no look that Maddy would be caught dead in, but Demie pulled it all off perfectly.

When Hunter Schafer walked the red carpet in June 2019 for the premiere of the first season of "Euphoria," she was only 20 years old. Now 27, Schafer, who plays Jules Vaughn, has not only matured physically, but professionally as well. She scored roles in "The Hunger Games" franchise and Yorgos Lanthimos' 2024 film "Kinds of Kindness," and she's also proven herself to be a total style icon, serving as brand ambassador for both Prada and Mugler. Schafer's transformation since 2019 has been so epic that it's almost hard to believe that she's the same person — and we mean that in the best possible way.

While Zendaya's career was already off to good start when she joined the cast of "Euphoria," her portrayal of Rue Bennett won her two Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe. Since then, Zendaya secured the role of Chani in the "Dune" franchise, starred in "Challengers" (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination), and has easily become everyone's favorite celebrity who takes method dressing to the next level when promoting movies. While she didn't do any Rue cosplay at the 2026 premiere of "Euphoria" Season 3, Zendaya absolutely slayed on the red carpet while rocking the hottest new hair craze: the bixie.

From the very first season of "Euphoria" in 2019, Maude Apatow brought some much-needed sanity to all of the intersecting plot points in the series' storyline. While a majority of the characters were falling apart over and over again, Lexi Howard not only managed to keep it together, but actually thrive — despite the awful people and toxic environment that she was surrounded by. As the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, this nepo baby has had a gorgeous transformation and found her footing as an actor of both film and stage — and we love that for her.

Similar to Hunter Schafer and Alexa Demie, "Euphoria" really gave Jacob Elordi's career a major kick in the right direction. He was nominated for his first Academy Award for his role as The Creature in Guillermo del Toro's 2025 version of "Frankenstein." Elordi also starred in Emerald Fennell's films "Saltburn" and "Wuthering Heights," playing Heathcliff opposite Margot Robbie in the latter. Since the first season of "Euphoria" in 2019, Elordi has become a household name and, by some standards, a major heartthrob.

Although Sydney Sweeney has faced a bit of controversy in the years since taking on the role of Cassie Howard in the first season of "Euphoria," she's back for Season 3. Since 2019, Sweeney has starred in "The White Lotus," landed leading roles in "Anyone but You" and "The Housemaid," found a fan in Donald Trump, and also tried to make the MAGA bob happen in December 2025. So, it's safe to say that Sweeney has been quite busy. But no matter the updates about her political affiliation or the silence over that particular jeans commercial, you have to admit that "Euphoria" simply can't exist without the hot mess that is Cassie Howard.

Although Alanna Ubach will always be one of Elle Woods' besties in 2001's "Legally Blonde," she also perfectly embodies the character Suze, the mother of Cassie and Lexi Howard. Cassie, alone, often seems like every parent's worst nightmare. While many characters won't be returning to Season 3 of "Euphoria," including Barbie Ferreira (who played Kat Hernandez) and Storm Reid (who portrayed Rue Bennett's younger sister, Gia), it's a relief to see that Ubach will be back — if only to rein in Cassie's breakdowns. After all, it's not Lexi's fault; she's a writer.