Euphoria may be the most popular show on television, but the atmosphere on its set is said to be far from blissful.
Several disgruntled crew members and extras talk about their “hellish” experiences on the set of the naughty HBO drama, accusing the producers of not providing them with adequate meals and toilet breaks.
“It was toxic to me because I don’t think anyone was really happy to be there,” said one anonymous Daily Beast extra who released the explosive allegations on Friday.
Some members of the production team claim that so many complaints were filed with the SAG-AFTRA union that a representative of this organization appeared on the set in Los Angeles.
HBO has defended the incredibly popular series. “The well-being of the cast and crew in our productions is always a top priority,” the Hollywood Reporter network said in a statement. “Production was carried out in full compliance with all safety regulations and guild protocols.”
The HBO feature show, which focuses on a group of sex-obsessed and drug-addicted teenagers, is one of the network’s hottest hits. Lead star Zendaya is featured in a scene from the show. HBO
“Drama series often have complex filming, and COVID protocols add an extra layer,” the statement said. “We maintain an open line of communication with all guilds, including SAG-AFTRA. There have been no official investigations.”
However, several sources told the Daily Beast that the “grueling” shoot could last up to 18 hours a day. Filming of several scenes took place at night, with filming beginning at sunset and stretching until dawn.
SAG-AFTRA requires people on set to be fed every six hours, but some say they stayed hungry while they waited on set.
The cast of Euphoria are pictured in a scene from the show’s second season, which ended last month. HBO
One anonymous extra went so far as to say that he felt as if he “did not exist as a person”.
“I understand that I am doing background work,” they said. “I’m not the most important person there, I know where I am on the totem pole. But it got to the point where I thought: I’m still human, I’m still human. Please let me go to the toilet, don’t tell me that I can’t walk for 30 minutes or that I can’t have a snack when you’re not going to feed me and it’s 4 in the morning. we didn’t exist as humans.”
Another source claimed that due to production issues, extras began to “fall like flies”.
Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira (left) allegedly ran into showrunner Sam Levinson. HBO
Meanwhile, it may not have been just the supporting cast and crew who struggled with the atmosphere of the set.
An insider told the Daily Beast that 25-year-old Barbie Ferreira had a falling out with Euphoria showrunner and screenwriter Sam Levinson. According to multiple reports, their arguments allegedly prompted the starlet to leave the set on two separate occasions. However, a source told The Post that this claim is not true.
The new allegations come just weeks after co-star Minka Kelly, 41, publicly said she “didn’t feel comfortable” filming a nude scene for the series.
Euphoria co-star Sydney Sweeney, who filmed her fair share of nude scenes for the series, previously revealed she asked Levinson to cut some of them.
The Post has reached out to HBO for additional comment.