The actor reflects on his character's torturous fate and the filming challenges he faced
Category: Arts & Culture
Jacob Elordi, 29, recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he shared harrowing behind-the-scenes details of filming the final season of HBO's hit series Euphoria. During his conversation with guest host and co-star Colman Domingo, Elordi joked that show creator Sam Levinson brought him back for one last season "to torture me." This light-hearted remark belied the intense and often grueling experiences he faced on set.
Elordi's character, Nate Jacobs, had a particularly brutal arc in the show's third and final season, which aired from April through May 2026. Over the course of seven episodes, Nate dealt with a series of horrific events, including being chased, beaten up, dismembered, and eventually buried alive with poisonous snakes. Elordi described the filming process as "like six weeks of me just getting beat by a seven-foot guy," highlighting the physical demands of his role.
Filming Nate's gruesome death scene included a shocking twist: Elordi was locked in a coffin for two days straight, equipped with prosthetics and a fake tongue, rendering him unable to see. "I couldn’t see out of my eyes," he recalled. Levinson, known for pushing boundaries in storytelling, decided to add a real snake to the mix, which Elordi initially found terrifying. "Sam put snakes into the coffin," he said, describing the snake as a boa constrictor that played the role of a rattlesnake on screen. Surprisingly, Elordi found the snake to be quite docile, noting, "He had a very nice personality. He was very sleepy. I don’t think he’d had a lot of sun." He humorously added that he was trying to nudge the snake to be more active for the scene, as it was meant to be threatening.
The final season of Euphoria was a culmination of the intense narratives surrounding its characters and an emotional farewell to some of its cast members. Eric Dane, who portrayed Nate's father, Cal Jacobs, called Euphoria the "most profane experience" of his career during a posthumous appearance in the documentary special Euphoria: A Look Back. Dane, who passed away at the age of 53 in February 2026 after battling ALS, completed filming for Season 3 before his death. In this special, he described the challenges of working on the series as opportunities for growth.
In the same special, series creator Sam Levinson remembered Dane as a "wonderful human being" and actor who approached his work with "grace and dignity." Levinson’s tribute to Dane underscored the deep connections formed among the cast and crew throughout the series. The emotional weight of the final season was compounded by the loss of Angus Cloud, who played Fez and died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on July 31, 2023, at the age of 25. Dane referred to Cloud as a "very talented young man" who had a lasting impact on the cast.
As the series progressed, it became a cultural phenomenon, drawing in millions of viewers and sparking conversations about the darker aspects of teenage life. By its second season, Euphoria had become HBO’s most-watched show after Game of Thrones, with nearly 20 million viewers tuning in. The show's exploration of addiction, trauma, and identity resonated widely, making its final season one of the most anticipated yet examined in recent television history.
With Euphoria concluding its run, the future for its cast members remains bright. Jacob Elordi, who remembered feeling nervous during his audition for the show, has seen his career skyrocket since the series premiered in 2019. He noted that Levinson appreciated his nervousness, which helped him land the role. Elordi's portrayal of Nate Jacobs has left a lasting impression on audiences, and he is expected to pursue new projects following the show's finale.
As for the series itself, the finale wrapped up Nate's tumultuous storyline with a shocking twist: he was killed by mobsters to whom he owed money, leaving his family unaware of his fate. This dark ending captured the themes of consequence and reckoning that permeated throughout the series. The finale was a closure for the characters and a reflection on the choices made throughout their tumultuous journeys.
In the aftermath of the series' end, fans have expressed a mix of emotions, from satisfaction to heartbreak. The final season has sparked discussions about its impact on the portrayal of mental health and addiction in youth culture. With all three seasons now available for streaming on HBO Max, viewers can revisit the intense narratives that defined a generation.
As the cast members move on to their next endeavors, the legacy of Euphoria continues to resonate. The show's ability to spark conversation and explore difficult topics is a hallmark of its storytelling. Elordi's experiences on set, from the physical challenges to the emotional weight of the narrative, will undoubtedly remain a defining part of his career as he steps into future roles.