We're only at the beginning of HBO's new series Euphoria, but we're already ready for a season two - which we don't know if we'll get. In addition to a number of graphic and disturbing scenes that show the harsh realities of drug addiction disorders and cyberbullying of a sexual nature, viewers have been introduced to a slate of interesting, complex characters who undoubtedly have stories that are well worth exploring in greater depth.
Eight episodes will air this Summer, and, although it's based on an Israeli miniseries, it's worth noting that HBO's official Euphoria page describes it as a "series" rather than a miniseries - which indicates the network is open to the possibility of a second season. However, it seems highly unlikely that HBO and Euphoria showrunners have made a final decision at this point.
The biggest factor in deciding whether or not to renew a series is, of course, ratings. Euphoria is currently at a major advantage due to its time slot - it airs on Sunday evenings directly after the massive hit Big Little Lies. As reported by Variety, the series debuted to "solid, if unspectacular" numbers. A total of 577,000 viewers tuned in to the premiere (to put that in context, 1.5 million viewers had just watched Big Little Lies that evening). But all hope is not lost - Euphoria performed well on the HBO GO and HBO NOW platforms, bringing total viewership up to approximately one million.
Of course, the series has gotten a great deal of press and the young stars have been extremely active on social media to promote it, so it's not surprising that a lot of people wanted to check it out. Although reviews for Euphoria are generally positive, it has also received its share of criticism due to the extremely graphic nature of a show that's aimed at teenagers. When there's a lot of hype surrounding a new series, it's common for viewership to drop midseason after viewers who were initially intrigued lose interest or simply decide they don't really like the show. After just two episodes, it's anyone's guess how viewers will feel about Euphoria in a few weeks.
But if Euphoria continues to garner solid ratings, season two certainly seems like a possibility. The series has a seriously talented cast, so showrunners would have plenty of options for a new plot line. Zendaya's character, Rue, is at the center of season one, and her performance has been incredible, but other characters - particularly Jules - have quickly become fan favorites. If Euphoria returns, I'd love to see season two focus more heavily on her character. Then there's Rue's younger sister, Gia, who is traumatized after discovering her unconscious sister after the overdose that landed Rue in rehab. It would certainly be valuable to explore how addiction disorders impact patients' family members.
There are plenty of avenues for Euphoria to explore if there is a season two - but for now, we'll have to stand by and hope.
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