If you’ve seen the trailer for HBO’s upcoming teen drama, “Euphoria,” you already know that the series is likely to push a few buttons with viewers. The footage doesn’t hide the fact that issues of sexuality, drugs, and violence will be featured heavily over the course of the series’ upcoming eight-episode first season. But what you probably don’t realize is that “Euphoria” is set to include things that will probably make the most liberal, free-spirited folks blush.
According to a new profile in THR, there are plenty of reasons why “Euphoria” is going to garner headlines after its premiere later this month. The series is reported to include scenes of teenage sex involving choking, teen drug overdoses, and even a montage that will show upwards of 30 penises. Oh yeah, and apparently in the first episode, there’s a scene involving the sexual assault of a trans girl by a teenage boy, where his erect penis will be on full display. But don’t worry, according to the network, this isn’t done for shock value.
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“It’s not sensational to be sensational,” said Casey Bloys, HBO programming president. “It may seem boundary-pushing, and the idea of putting them on TV may be, but somebody lived them.”
The person who lived these shocking scenes is Sam Levinson, the creator and writer of all eight episodes of “Euphoria.” The son of filmmaker Barry Levinson, Sam is probably best known for his feature film from 2018, “Assassination Nation.” And if you’ve seen that film, you’re probably not so shocked that “Euphoria” is filled with explicit, questionable content.
The boundary-pushing went a little too far for one cast member, Brian “Astro” Bradley. According to the report, the actor wanted out of the show after he was asked to do scenes that weren’t in the original script and might have included his character experimenting with homosexuality. Bradley was let go from the series and replaced with Algee Smith.
“Let’s just say I’m very glad that Algee is playing the character,” said actress Sydney Sweeney, who shares a love scene with the character in the pilot.
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The report claims that HBO did push back on two scenes from the series, not allowing them to air on the network. One involved Zendaya’s character narrating her own birth, as the camera hovers on her mother in labor and then zooms between her legs and into her vagina. Another scene is an apparent homage to “Carrie,” but instead of naked girls in the locker room, the series would show naked boys, with “like, 80 more penises” according to Levinson.
Reaction to the series is likely going to be fairly divisive, and it appears that everyone involved with “Euphoria” is not only ready for it but actually welcomes the debate. People wanting to check it out for themselves will get the chance when the first episode premieres on June 16.
