Top 10 Euphoria Characters Who Deserved Better

#10: Jules Vaughn

Jules proved to be an instant fan favorite, turning Hunter Schafer into an overnight star. While Jules marked a milestone in the portrayal of transgender characters on television, her story became less engaging with each season. In Season 2, Jules’ arc was too closely tied to Rue’s, making her feel more like an accessory than an individual. Even as she started to branch out from Rue in Season 3, there was little development on Jules’ part. When Jules and Rue did share a scene, the chemistry that once made them a standout couple had fizzled. For many, Jules lost them after she slapped Rue for calling her out. Just as Jules gets lost in her art, her writing has lacked any clear direction.

#9: Ashtray

“Euphoria” mainly centers on the poor decisions that teenagers and 20-somethings make. Fezco’s so-called “little brother” Ashtray is a few years younger than our central characters, however. Through Ashtray, there was an opportunity to explore how growing up in an environment surrounded by illegal substances and violence can seal someone’s fate from an early age. Ashtray never quite evolves beyond being the silent yet deadly type, though. His story reaches its end in the Season 2 finale, as Ashtray kills Custer and then faces off against a SWAT team, knowing that he isn’t getting out alive. We understand that shock value is part of the package with “Euphoria,” but it feels as if Ashtray existed just so that he could die tragically and prematurely.

#8: Gia Bennett

If there’s one “Euphoria” cast member we wish got more material to work with, it’s Storm Reid. Since first appearing as Rue’s sister Gia in Season 1, Reid’s career has skyrocketed, even winning an Emmy for her guest performance on “The Last of Us.” Although Reid has appeared in more episodes of “Euphoria,” Gia comes off as less developed. It’s clear that Gia loves her sister and wants to see Rue overcome her substance use disorder. There’s not much that defines Gia beyond her sister, however. There was potential to flesh out a complicated sibling dynamic, much like polar opposites Cassie and Lexie. By Season 3, though, Gia didn’t seem to fit anymore, getting shipped off to ASU. Reid’s schedule was pretty full anyway.

#7: Kat Hernandez

Kat is supposed to promote body positivity. To an extent, she did, but even actress Barbie Ferreira didn’t seem thrilled with the direction that the character was going in. After a promising introduction in Season 1, Kat started fading into the background during Season 2. When Kat was given the spotlight, to say that some of her choices were erratic would be an understatement. Although there were rumors of a clash between the actress and creator Sam Levinson, Ferreira claims they came to a mutual decision that Kat shouldn’t return for Season 3. Ferreira didn’t think “there was a place for [Kat] to go,” adding that she felt limited playing “the fat best friend.” Still, you’d think they’d explain why Kat wasn’t at Cassie’s wedding.

#6: Ethan Daley

Speaking of Kat, let’s talk about her ex-boyfriend, Ethan. Well-adjusted romantic partners aren’t easy to come by in “Euphoria.” Ethan genuinely liked Kat and treated her with respect. Although they made for a cute couple at first, their relationship was full of mixed signals, courtesy of Kat. Deciding to end things with Ethan once and for all, Kat tells him that she has a terminal brain condition. By now, Ethan knows when Kat is lying, but she doesn’t seem to care. What’s more, Kat attempts to paint Ethan as the villain of this relationship. Even when having his heart crushed, Ethan calmly accepts the breakup. He even makes good on his promise to Kat, ensuring he got hurt instead of her.

#5: Nate Jacobs

It feels weird saying that Nate Jacobs deserved better, as his actions throughout the first two seasons were mostly reprehensible. While we wouldn’t say Nate is redeemed in Season 3, we do see a more human side of him as he tries to give Cassie the life she’s always dreamed about. Of course, that life comes at a price, which Nate doesn’t have the money for. So, he pays with various body parts and eventually his life, as a snake gets to him before Cassie can. You could argue that Nate had it coming, considering what he’s done in the past. At the same time, killing Nate off just as he was starting to receive more layers feels like a missed opportunity.

#4: Chris McKay

With the rise of the #MeToo movement, there have been numerous stories about the abuse women have quietly endured. Yet, there are still only so many portrayals of men who have faced abuse. Audiences were caught off guard in Season 1 of “Euphoria” when Cassie’s then-boyfriend, Chris McKay, was attacked by his frat brothers in the middle of the night. While they view this as “hazing,” it looks more like sexual assault from everyone else’s point of view. As his father always instructed, McKay keeps his emotions inside, although he takes them out on Cassie. It would’ve been interesting if “Euphoria” delved deeper into McKay’s repressed trauma. After things fall apart between him and Cassie, though, the show basically forgets that he ever existed.

#3: Maddy Perez

Few “Euphoria” characters are more confident than Maddy, entering every room like the Queen Bee she is. That doesn’t mean Maddy hasn’t been subjected to abuse and betrayal. The two people that Maddy cares the most about are the ones who’ve repeatedly done her dirty. First, there’s Nate, who mistreated Maddy physically and emotionally throughout their toxic relationship. His heinous actions included cheating on Maddy with her best friend, Cassie. Despite everything, Maddy forgives Cassie. She even helps Cassie rescue Nate when he’s buried alive, although they’re too late. While Nate is out of her life forever, Maddy is left on the hook with Alamo, trading one violent male for another. She puts up a tough front, but Maddy is trapped in a vicious cycle.

#2: Fezco O’Neill

In July 2023, actor Angus Cloud tragically lost his life. Whatever awaited Fez following the shootout at the end of Season 2, it was clear that Cloud wouldn’t appear in Season 3. The third season reveals that Fez is in prison, although he still keeps in touch with Rue and is plotting an escape. Given the circumstances, the show dealt with Fez’s absence the best it could. Even so, both Fez and the actor who portrayed him deserved better than the cruel hand that fate dealt. In a show overflowing with dark subject matter, Fez’s blooming relationship with Lexie was a surprisingly sweet bright spot. Maybe their romance was always destined to end on a downer note, but we’ll sadly never know what might’ve been.

#1: Rue Bennett

In a show full of dysfunctional characters, Rue was the most self-destructive. Beyond her substance use disorder, Rue had a way of getting caught in the middle of the most dangerous and unhinged people. It was always unlikely that things would end well for Rue. After surviving so many close calls, though, we got our hopes up that Rue might get a happy ending, especially since she made it through most of Season 3 “California sober.” Unfortunately, Rue relapses with a bottle of Percocet. Ali finds her on his couch the next morning, too late to save her. Rue deserved more than to be another name added to Ali’s notebook.

Which “Euphoria” character do you think deserved better? Let us know in the comments.