‘Euphoria’: Zendaya and Colman Domingo Used an Unconventional Tactic Shooting Rue’s Apology
Ali Muhammad (Colman Domingo) plays an integral role helping Rue Bennett (Zendaya) achieve sobriety in Euphoria Season 2. His accepting Rue’s apology in episode six of the HBO series was a profound moment in the sophomore season. Behind the scenes, Domingo and Zendaya used an unconventional tactic to help capture the emotion required for such a scene. Find out what the actors did differently, plus Domingo’s thoughts on where his role might go in Euphoria Season 3.
Rue’s apology to Ali in ‘Euphoria’ Season 2
In the sixth episode of season 2, Rue calls Ali to apologize for the things she said to him in episode three. “What do you want Rue?” Ali questions at the beginning of the call.
Rue hesitates, then says: “I just wanted to call you to tell you that um … I’m sorry for what I said and I really regret it. I never should have said that and I’m sorry.”
Previously, Rue showed up to her Narcotics Anonymous meeting with a suitcase full of drugs. Privy to her actions, Ali confronted her. “I’m not some parent you can just treat like s***,” he told her.
“Yeah well, good thing no one’s looking at you to be a parent,” Rue replied. Shocked at her use of his past against him, Ali yells: “You cross that line again, we’re done.”
In episode six, Ali forgives Rue almost immediately and she breaks down crying. “You do?” she asks in shock. “How do you know that I mean it?”
“Because the hour’s certain to come when you must forgive graciously,” Ali reminds her. “Thank you,” she repeatedly says, in tears and finally able to open the Jolly Rancher she struggled with at the top of the episode.
Zendaya and Colman Domingo filmed Rue’s apology to Ali in the same room
Typically, scenes involving phone calls are filmed with one of the actors off-camera. “Usually … you’re doing [the call] with a script supervisor,” Domingo explained to Vulture. “But [showrunner] Sam Levinson can feel every detail and wanted it to be that honest. He wanted to give us that space because he knows connectivity between Ali and Rue is so important.”
Being in the same room helped Zendaya and Domingo relay Ali’s forgiveness in the scene. “Zendaya and I sat there and looked at each other, and we played the scene,” he explained, adding:
“I wanted to make sure there was a nice long pause before he says, ‘I forgive you.’ He’s got to let her live in that space of being uncertain, to see if it’s really worth it to her. Does she really want this? He’s examining forgiveness and saying, ‘Be in your truth and I honor that truth, and I can also forgive you.'”
Ali might have more time on screen in ‘Euphoria’ Season 3
Ali helped save Rue’s life in Euphoria Season 2 with minimal screentime. Domingo is hopeful his character will be more involved in season 3 of the HBO series.
“I think Ali serves his purpose when he is useful for the show,” he told Digital Spy in March 2022. “The show is a huge amalgamation of a lot of trauma, experiences, ways to cope, and trigger warnings. I think that Ali comes in right when you need a grounding force in some way to unpack this; to take a breath for a moment of levity … Sam [Levinson] is masterful about how he uses Ali.”
The actor predicts Ali will continue to “have his moments,” some of which may be more “fleshed out” in the future. HBO has confirmed season 3, but has yet to announce a release date. Watch seasons 1 and 2 of Euphoria on HBO.
