'Euphoria ' opened its season 3 premiere with a gut punch: a quiet, simple memorial to Eric Dane. Before the episode rolled on Sunday, April 12, HBO put up a title card with his photo that read, 'In remembrance of Eric Dane.' It was tasteful, it landed, and yes — even after his death, he is still expected to appear this season as Cal.
What happened with Eric Dane
Dane died in February after battling ALS, a degenerative disease that hits the nervous system — the brain and spinal cord — and, heartbreakingly, has no cure. His family said he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. In the time he had, he pushed hard to raise awareness and support research, and his loved ones asked for privacy as they process the loss. They also made a point of saying how much he appreciated the love from fans.
He had only gone public with the diagnosis in April 2025, less than a year before he died. At the time, he thanked his family for holding him up, said he felt fortunate to keep working, and even planned to head back to the 'Euphoria' set the following week, while asking for space for him and his family.
Levinson on the long wait, and the grief
Ahead of the premiere, creator Sam Levinson talked about why the gap between seasons 2 and 3 dragged on. Sure, there were the obvious headaches — the strikes and lining up a cast that now books up fast — but he also said the team needed time to figure out how to honor the people they lost along the way.
'I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean... what I realized more than anything is that death is what gives life meaning.'
Levinson was talking about Angus Cloud, who played Fez and died at 25 after an accidental overdose. He also cited the scope of the fentanyl crisis, noting 73,000 deaths in America in 2023. The timeline here is a little messy: the show has referenced Cloud’s death as happening in July 2025, while Levinson’s stat callout is tied to 2023. Either way, the point lands — losing castmates has shaped how season 3 was made and how it opens.
Key dates to keep straight
- April 12: Season 3 premiere opens with a memorial card reading 'In remembrance of Eric Dane.'
- February: News breaks that Dane has died following his battle with ALS.
- April 2025: Dane publicly shares his ALS diagnosis, says he plans to keep working, and asks for privacy.
- July 2025: Angus Cloud, who played Fez, dies at 25 after an accidental overdose; Levinson later references 2023 fentanyl death statistics when discussing the loss.
- This season: HBO still expects Dane to appear as Cal.
Season 3 starts under a cloud, but the show clearly decided to meet it head-on — a small, respectful nod to Dane up front, and a creator willing to speak plainly about loss behind the scenes.