It’s no secret that “Euphoria” is HBO’s mega sensation of the moment. If you log online, you can find more think pieces, memes, reviews, opinions, and conversations about the show than could be counted. It’s hard to ignore the buzz around the show, both positive and negative. And while the bulk of that buzz is pretty negative, the relevance of season 3 might help it score a few Emmy nominations this year.
The show has certainly never been a Primetime Emmys darling, with Zendaya being the lone nominee (and winner) for the first season. But the second season was more popular, breaking into the Outstanding Drama Series category and the Outstanding Supporting Actress category for Sydney Sweeney, while Zendaya took home a second win.
The obvious difference between the two is the reception. With season 2 being pretty raved about by critics and audiences alike, while season 3 is almost downright panned, the audience’s attention has never been closer, and it’s certain that the show will be on the minds of voters.
That timing and attention are what give “Euphoria” a shot at returning to the ceremony. Season 3 premiered on April 12th and wrapped on May 31st, putting it squarely in the middle of awards season conversation just as the Television Academy’s nominations round voting begins on June 11th. The final stretch of the season landed right when voters are starting to narrow their ballots, which means “Euphoria” did not have to stay in the conversation for months to matter, unlike many shows that get positive reviews but don’t stay around in the minds of voters when it really matters.
And “Euphoria” has been exactly what’s impossible to ignore. The season 3 premiere drew 8.5 million U.S. viewers in its first three days across linear and streaming, a 44% jump over the season 2 premiere, according to Deadline. That kind of immediate attention is a useful Emmy currency, especially for a show that has already built a reputation as one of TV’s most talked-about dramas. In awards terms, visibility can be just as valuable as praise.
A good recent example of visibility being as valuable as praise is Ryan Murphy’s limited series “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” “Monster” was poorly received and outright controversial, but it became such a big hit with audiences that it earned five Primetime Emmy nominations and one win for Niecy Nash. It even had to stay in the public consciousness for longer than “Euphoria,” premiering in September before the January ceremony.
Another good comparison is season 3 of “The Bear,” which went from a wildly beloved series to being reviewed more coldly for its third season. The season was released at the end of June, and it landed six nominations in mid-August.
What sets “Euphoria” apart from these two is that “Euphoria” was never as loved as “The Bear,” and Sam Levinson doesn’t have the status Ryan Murphy does. The two previous seasons certainly appeared in the Creative Arts Emmys, but never got writing or directing nominations. It can be argued that season 2 only got in because of its sheer visibility and Zendaya’s strong performance.
So what are the most likely nominations for “Euphoria?” At this point, the safest bets are Zendaya for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, a handful of Creative Arts categories, and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series bids for both Colman Domingo and Eric Dane. Even if season 3 is unlikely to repeat the show’s season 2 highs, the combination of visibility, timing, and star power still leaves room for potential meaningful Emmy presence.”
Zendaya remains the show’s strongest awards asset. She’s delivering the kind of emotionally demanding, career-defining work that voters have already rewarded twice, and she’s only become a bigger industry presence since the last season. With “The Drama,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and “The Odyssey” all positioning her as one of Hollywood’s most visible stars, she enters Emmy season with plenty of momentum. That said, a win feels less likely this time around. Season 3 has received a noticeably more divisive response than its predecessors, and the category appears stronger, particularly with Rhea Seehorn expected to be a major contender for “Pluribus.” Zendaya shouldn’t be counted out, but a nomination seems considerably more secure than a victory. Still, both her celebrity and the show’s sheer visibility remain difficult for voters to overlook.
Colman Domingo also appears to be in excellent shape. Already a winner for season 2, Domingo remains one of television’s most beloved performers and benefits from having one of the season’s most significant storylines. His work in the finale is among the strongest of the entire season, and his prospects have only improved since the show wrapped. It certainly doesn’t hurt that his character delivers the final emotional note of the series, leaving voters with a particularly memorable last impression.
HBO is submitting much of the supporting cast for consideration, though those races feel considerably more competitive. The most likely supporting nominee is Sydney Sweeney, who would be looking to repeat her season 2 nomination. Regardless of the discourse surrounding her public image, Sweeney has become a genuine A-list celebrity in the years since “Euphoria” last aired, and that kind of visibility can be an advantage during awards season. Cassie remains one of the central figures of season 3, and while her storyline has proven controversial, Sweeney is given plenty of material to showcase. The challenge is that she’ll be competing against a crowded supporting field that could include several performers from “The Pitt.” With that series earning stronger reviews and widespread acclaim, voters may ultimately gravitate toward its ensemble instead. And while Sweeney remains one of the most talked-about stars in Hollywood, not every headline necessarily translates into Emmy support.
Jacob Elordi is another interesting possibility. Since season 2, he has become one of the industry’s biggest young stars, even earning his first Oscar nomination for Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” earlier this year. That level of visibility could lead to a nomination for a name-check, but the material itself may hold him back. Nate’s storyline is widely considered one of the season’s weaker elements, and his character exits the narrative before the finale. Star power alone can only take a performer so far.
As for the remaining contenders, Alexa Demie continues to benefit from playing one of the show’s most beloved characters. Maddy Perez remains a fan favorite, but her cool, guarded, and often understated characterization isn’t the kind of role that Emmy voters traditionally embrace. If anything, Maddy’s storyline this season may do more to strengthen Sweeney’s case than Demie’s, even as Demie appears to be mounting a campaign of her own with a recent Hollywood Reporter cover story.
Hunter Schafer, once one of the series’ central players, has a much smaller presence this season and therefore seems unlikely to factor into the race. The same is true of Maude Apatow, whose material largely revolves around supporting Cassie’s arc. Sharon Stone would be an easy name-check if the role were larger, but she ultimately receives limited screen time and few standout moments. Rosalia finds herself in a similar position. Martha Kelly managed to score an Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nomination last year. Still, the supporting field is substantially more crowded this time around, making a repeat nomination a difficult proposition.
HBO will almost certainly give its biggest current drama a serious campaign push, and the show remains impossible for Emmy voters to ignore. Major above-the-line breakthroughs beyond Zendaya and Domingo would still qualify as surprises, but with a series this culturally dominant, they’re not impossible surprises.
Do you think “Euphoria” will be able to score major Emmy nominations despite the reaction to the third season? Do you think Zendaya can win a third Emmy for her performance on the show? Please let us know in the comments section below and on Next Best Picture’s X account and check out our latest Emmy predictions here. Please also be sure to subscribe to the Next Best Series Podcast, where we are conducting a number of interviews with Emmy contenders throughout the awards season and discussing the race over the next couple of months.
