When is season 2 of 'Euphoria' coming out?

Happy 2 year @euphoriaHBO anniversary…see you soon:) pic.twitter.com/IVFpOXhEVx

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 17, 2021

Coronavirus had a major effect on production. No, really.

Zendaya, creator Sam Levinson, and the other cast and crew had actually began production of season two for Euphoria in early March of 2020, with a premiere date scheduled for the latter part of the year. They went as far as having wardrobe fittings, set tours, and a table read for their first episode, but the coronavirus pandemic forced production to shut down right before they actually began shooting, like most everything else in the world.

Because of this, there is no set premiere date as of yet, but Zendaya has hinted on social media that it is on the way. However, rushing back to work was never her thing. She told InStyle:

"There is a beautiful second season that has been written, but in order to do it the way we want to do it, we need to wait until it's safer."

Thankfully, the pandemic has been (somewhat) under control and production has resumed.

Zendaya is going to 'dark places' this season.

In her recent interview with British Vogue, Zendaya and show creator Sam Levinson, open up about what's to come for Euphoria. Although she openly admits that she is "the most sober person you could ask to play this part," she knows that she has to draw her inspiration from others.

"I can only understand it to an extent, and then I have to lean on Sam. He was an addict for many years as a teenager. And he's been clean since he was 19 years old. That's the thing that makes me hopeful. When we have all this really dark shit – especially this season breaks my heart for Rue – there's a glimmer of hope because I know that she is a version of him."

Levinson inserts his take during the interview via email:

"It's such a brutal season. And what I love the most about Z is she's able to go to those dark places and then as soon as I call cut, she's hanging out behind the monitor, eating Cheesecake Factory and cracking jokes. She's also family. We just shoot the shit all day. We talk about the show, the characters, life, movies, politics. She's one of the most grounded human beings I know."

The 'Euphoria' cast is still the cast (so far).

Although there's no formal announcement of cast departures, since no one died in the first season, it's fair to say that the core cast members will be returning. This includes Jules (Hunter Schafer), Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow), Kat Hernandez (Barbie Ferreira), Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney), Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie), Chris McKay (Algee Smith), Gia Bennett (Storm Reid), and Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane).

Sydney Sweeney discussed her return, without saying anything at all:

"It's more intense. I can say it's more intense. First season was a lot, second season is out of the ballpark. It's going to be amazing, very intense, crazy season."

Storm Reid added to the cast member chats, by opening up about her character on the new season:

"Yes [you'll see more of her charater, Gia]. She's becoming her own person and she's getting her own storyline, which is very exciting, so I'm excited to start that."

Sis, what's going on with Jules and Rue?!

Storylines and cast relationships remain tight-lipped, so exploring each character is something we'll have to wait for, but that doesn't mean we can't question where we left off. When we last saw Jules and Rue, they were ready to run away together and live happily ever after. Jules was fearless in her decision, but Rue decided to stay back and be with her family.

Obviously, we don't know where they stand with each other, but there have been hints. Hunter Schafer (Jules) told Entertainment Weekly that she has ideas for Jules.

"I think she learns from experiencing things. And so to experience what she needs to, without being messy, that's from the sort of loving parent/sister relationship I feel like I have with her. That's what I want for her, although who knows how it will play out. I'm sure it will be more messy than I would hope for her."

How will the bonus episodes play into the new season?

Back in October, two bonus episodes premiered on HBO. The first of two special episodes, "Troubles Don't Last Always", with the focus being Zendaya/Rue. We pick up with Rue sitting at the diner, with another out-of-this-world actor, Coleman Domingo, or Ali, as they celebrate Christmas at a diner after Jules takes off and leaves her at the train station.

And the sheer magnificence comes from the fact that this episode places mostly just the two of them sharing monolithic dialogue--and only dialogue--front and center. It's the first time that Rue's addiction and mental health are solely discussed and highlighted. This episode strips away the multiple storylines, and the glitterati, and the privilege, and showcases Zendaya's talent exclusively, as if she were naked in front of us all and having to act her way into making us not even notice. If you weren't exactly sure why Zendaya won the 2020 Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, then watch this episode and see for yourself. Brilliant.

The second bonus episode followed Jules on her quest to finding her freedom and running away.

Cannot. Wait.

How will Drake be involved with 'Euphoria'?

As Euphoria fans know, Drake is an executive producer for the show, and famously championed for Zendaya to get the role. He's been to a few premiere parties and he's posted about the show in the past, other than that, he's also been quiet about the fate of what's next. We can confirm however, that Drake is, and has always been, just as excited to show off his involvement in the show. It's unlikely that Drake will return to the small screen for a guest starring role on Euphoria, but the father does seem actively involved with its success.

In 2019, TMZ spoke with Algee Smith (who plays Chris McKay) about Drake's involvement with the show.

"Drake came on set a few times. He threw us a wrap party; he gave away, I don't want to say how much bread he gave away but he gave us some money at the wrap party."

Adding, "It was hefty. You could buy a couple cars, I'll say that."

Whew, OK.

For now, we don't have a premiere date for new episodes, but the fact that it is officially on it's way again, is alright with me. Here's to an even greater Season 2!

You can catch up on past episodes of Euphoria on HBO Max.