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Five years have passed since their time in East Highland, but things aren’t getting any better in Season 3 of Euphoria. The last time audiences saw television’s most controversial teenagers, very little ended on a hopeful note — from the infamous high school play to a drug bust gone wrong.
Sam Levinson‘s pop culture phenomenon raises the stakes once again as these now-adult characters step into a new chapter of their lives. However, as the saying goes, “Another year older, none the wiser.” Still, they might be lost causes, but they’re not all hopeless. Some might surprise audiences for the better. Without further ado, here are the best characters in Euphoria, ranked.
10
Nate Jacobs
Played by Jacob Elordi
It’s valid to call Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) a monster. He’s displayed some of the worst behavior toward his then-girlfriend Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie). He also blackmailed Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer) after discovering her illicit online relationship with his father, and beat up Maddy’s one-time hookup to the point of near death.
However, in the aftermath of his father’s drunken confession, Nate appears to have softened. In Season 3 — his questionable relationship with Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) aside — he seems to have no agenda beyond rebuilding his father’s real estate empire. When Cassie indulges in OnlyFans ventures, although he resents them, he no longer exhibits that same volatile behavior.
9
Cassie Howard
Played by Sydney Sweeney
It’s one thing to date your best friend’s ex-boyfriend, but knowing he abused your best friend is another level of low. That’s Cassie (Sweeney) in Euphoria. Although Cassie’s choices are frowned upon, they come from a troubled relationship with her identity and body — she’s been sexualized from a young age after hitting puberty early.
The low self-esteem she developed when she was young manifests as an obsession with being wanted. Although she knows Nate is a troubled man, she still wants him to want her, especially because of his notoriously unattainable status. Although Cassie and Maddy end up in a catfight, Cassie seems to have put things behind them in Season 3.
8
Ashtray
Played by Javon “Wanna” Walton
Nothing is more dangerous than a literal child caught up in a drug ring. Coming from a tragic family background, 10-year-old dealer Ashtray (Javon Walton) is the unofficial “brother” of Fezco (Angus Cloud), who took him in after his mother abandoned him as a baby. With no real childhood, his only education is the violence that surrounds him.
Because of his young age, he acts more based on his feelings than on his rationale. He has no qualms about killing people who wrong him or Fez — something even Fez wouldn’t do, let alone on impulse. He’s a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at the slightest trigger.
7
Kat Hernandez
Played by Barbie Ferreira
Kat Hernandez (Barbie Ferreira) may have her own issues, but she’s not one to drag others down with her. Once invisible at school, she reinvents herself into a hyper-confident, provocatively sexualized persona after discovering the power of online sex work — though that newfound confidence is ultimately just a performance, and not a true reflection of herself.
Kat remains insecure, locked in a constant battle with her self-esteem. While she craves male attention, it’s not as severe as Cassie’s fixation. Still, her fear of rejection often gets the better of her. Even with people who genuinely care about her, the internalized belief that she’s unlovable causes her to self-sabotage.
6
Lexi Howard
Played by Maude Apatow
Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) is Euphoria‘s wallflower. It’s not that she’s invisible, but she would rather stay in the background and observe everyone around her. Unlike Rue, Cassie, or Maddy, Lexi is the only one who actively tries to stay away from trouble. However, just because she’s “the good girl” of the group doesn’t mean she judges her friends.
Despite choosing to stay on the sidelines, there are times when Lexi stands up for others when needed. As Cassie’s younger sister, she’s the one who accompanies her to the clinic during one of the show’s biggest twists. She’s just as reliable as she is passive, knowing when to extend her kindness.
5
Maddy Perez
Played by Alexa Demie
If there’s one thing about Maddy Perez, it’s that someone needs to put a filter on her. She’s not one to keep quiet. More often than not, she doesn’t think twice before voicing her opinions, no matter how much they sting her friends. However, credit where it’s due — at least she stabs in the front rather than in the back.
Maddy’s infatuation with the lifestyle of the rich makes her come across as shallow. However, she’s willing to work for that lifestyle. In Season 3, with no university degree or work experience to her name, she lands a job as an executive assistant through her own initiative. Maddy refuses to succumb to her circumstances, taking control of her fate whenever possible.
4
Rue Bennett
Played by Zendaya
Rue Bennett (Zendaya) is a walking contradiction. As the show’s narrator, Rue is very aware of her struggle with addiction. She knows exactly what she’s supposed to do, and yet she chooses denial instead. It’s an age-old problem among struggling addicts, but there is a line between being a victim and playing the victim.
As complicated and frustrating as Rue can be, she’s not malicious. Much of her judgment is clouded by her relapses, which are enabled by some of the people around her. Had she been in more fortunate circumstances and surrounded by more supportive people, Rue would have had the willpower to become a better — though still imperfect — version of herself.
3
Jules Vaughn
Played by Hunter Schafer
To Rue, Jules is a literal angel. She represents everything good, which makes Rue want to take her sobriety seriously. As much as Jules cares for Rue, that’s not exactly what she wants from her. Having grown up around an addict, it’s understandable that Jules doesn’t want history to repeat itself.
It’s not like Jules is actively trying to save Rue, but she does expect more from her — at least more than what her own mother was able to provide. Unfortunately, this only puts more pressure on Rue. When Rue is unable to fulfill Jules’ needs, she leaves a heartbroken Rue behind instead.
2
Ali Muhammad
Played by Colman Domingo
Becoming a sponsor of a recovering addict is no easy task. Throughout Euphoria, Ali Muhammad (Colman Domingo) has been a mentor figure to the struggling Rue. Although he appears to have a strong sense of self-awareness, Ali has had his fair share of personal demons. A former addict himself, he is proof that recovery is possible.
However, Ali doesn’t sugarcoat the journey, and that applies to the wisdom he shares with Rue. He is aware of how relapse can trap and manipulate someone into thinking there’s no way out. Every time she falls back into her rage and constant lying, Ali calls her out immediately — without being condescending to her.
1
Fezco
Played by Angus Cloud
Drug dealers like Fez are often villainized for indirectly being enablers. However, Fez is not a high-profile criminal making thousands from a drug ring. Unlike Laurie (Martha Kelly), who’s calling most of the shots, Fez is just a street-level dealer trying to survive with what he’s been taught since childhood (his grandmother is involved in the business).
Although selling as much as you can is part of the trade, Fez refuses to prey on the vulnerable to make some money. That includes refusing to sell to a relapsing Rue. He tries to find moral ground despite being born into a life shaped by exploitation, and his good-natured heart shows through his relationships with Ashtray and Lexi.
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