‘Euphoria’: Inside the Shocking Claims of Toxic Working Conditions on the Season 2 Set

TL;DR:

• The season 2 set of Euphoria was reportedly quite toxic.
• Insiders claim that the working conditions were so bad that background actors were “dropping like flies.”
• HBO says the production was in full compliance with guild protocols.

Euphoria Season 2 was so successful it officially became HBO’s second-most-watched series of all time, as well as the most-tweeted-about show of the decade. The only series to pull higher numbers on average for the premium cable outlet and its multiple platforms is Game of Thrones.

Despite the high ratings and the critical acclaim — and all the success that comes with that for the series’ stars — there have been shocking claims of toxic working conditions on set. According to insiders, workdays were so hellish that background actors were “dropping like flies.”

There have been multiple claims of toxic work conditions on the ‘Euphoria’ Season 2 set

In a scathing report from The Daily Beast, numerous sources claimed that the set of Euphoria Season 2 was a toxic work environment. Most notably, there were accusations of 18-hour workdays from numerous background actors, resulting in a SAG-AFTRA union rep being sent to the set.

Many of those background actors said if they had the opportunity to return for next season, they would decline the offer unless some major changes were made.

One source said that “creatively, it must be a dream” for the stars to work with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and his habit of showing up on set sans shot list and randomly deciding what to shoot. But logistically it was a nightmare.

“It was the most disorganized set that I’ve ever been a part of because I don’t think anybody knew what was going on,” a source shared with The Daily Beast.

HBO says the production was in full compliance with guild protocols

In a statement, HBO made it clear that the well-being of the cast and crew was always a top priority. The network said that the Euphoria production was “in full compliance with all safety guidelines and guild protocols.”

“It’s not uncommon for drama series to have complex shoots, and COVID protocols add an additional layer. We maintain an open line of communication with all the guilds, including SAG-AFTRA. There were never any formal inquiries raised,” the statement read.

HBO defended its high-rated drama. But fans began to turn on Levinson during season 2 as gossip started to spread about the drama and tension going on behind the scenes.

In addition to the accusations of bad working conditions, a rumored feud between Levinson and Barbie Ferreira (who plays Kat Hernandez) led to her allegedly walking off set and him cutting back her screen time.

The long work days on the ‘Euphoria’ set were unnecessary, insiders claim

The main gripe, however, about Euphoria Season 2 from crew members and background actors is that workdays were needlessly long. They gave the example of the New Year’s Eve party scene. Filming was only scheduled at night — with a 4 p.m. call time — and it lasted until the crack of dawn. They repeated that schedule for an entire week.

While filming the scene, they did not have a proper holding area for extras. They were forced to wait outside in skimpy clothing in cold weather with just a couple of space heaters. Sources also alleged that there were problems with the provided meals, which were usually fed past the SAG-AFTRA six-hour mark mandate. And there are reports that the background actors weren’t allowed to use the bathroom.

“I understand that I’m doing background work,” one background actor said. “I’m not the most important person there, I know where I am on the totem pole. But it got to a point where I was like, I’m still a person, I’m still human. Please let me go to the restroom, don’t tell me I can’t go for 30 minutes or tell me I can’t get a snack when you’re not going to feed me and it’s 4 a.m. It just very much felt like we didn’t exist as people.”

Euphoria Seasons 1 and 2 are now playing on HBO Max.