Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Euphoria Season 3’ has been making headlines right from the start. The latest installment gives a peek into the world of Sam Levinson, which is set many years after high school. On Sunday, the third episode of the season dropped, centered around Cassie and Nate’s lives with a dramatic wedding arc. In addition to the chaotic wedding, what caught attention was the maker’s attempt to blur the line between reel and real. During episode 3, the late actor Eric Dane’s real-life health struggles were incorporated mindfully into his character’s decline.
Euphoria Season 3 episode 3 honors Eric Dane
As Cassie and Nate’s wedding unfolds, the episode also shows the past of multiple characters. Using this context, Eric Dane’s character, Cal Jacobs, gets a special dimension. Following Dane’s ALS diagnosis, there was constant concern regarding his return to ‘Euphoria.’ However, with the recent portrayal and story arc given to his character, the makers walked down a thoughtful path. They used Cal’s drinking and mental decline as a narrative explanation for Eric’s changing speech and behaviour. With this, the ‘Grey Anatomy’ star was able to deliver a performance despite the challenges of his health-related struggles. Also, it is worth noting that Dane’s scenes with Hunter Schafer (June) were restrained but emotional.Also, the episode featured a black screen with a picture of Dane and a message, “In remembrance of Eric Dane 1972 — 2026.” Best known for his work in ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ Eric Dane passed away on February 19, 2026. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and lost his life to the ailment at the age of 53. The actor spoke about his diagnosis to spread awareness and to share his struggles with his fans. He is survived by two daughters, for whom he left the sweetest message in his last interview with Netflix.
