Zendaya and Jacob Elordi: Were They More Than Co-Stars? What to Know Before Euphoria Season 3

Let’s be honest: Euphoria fans love a messy subplot, on screen and off. And since 2019, nothing has fueled more chatter than the Zendaya/Jacob Elordi dating rumor mill. Here’s the no-nonsense version of what actually happened, what Elordi has said about it, and where season 3 is headed.

First, the characters vs. the actors

On the show, Zendaya’s Rue is a recovering addict hanging on by a thread. Elordi’s Nate is a controlling jock with a hair-trigger temper. Off camera, their easy chemistry during season 1 promo sparked the obvious question: are they a thing?

What Elordi actually said about Zendaya

Elordi has repeatedly shut down the dating talk. In a GQ Australia interview, he didn’t just deny it — he put the dynamic in the sibling zone and praised her work ethic. If you want the exact wording, here you go:

"She’s like my sister. Zendaya is an amazing creative, you know? She’s super dope to work with. She’s an incredible artist and a very caring person to all of us."

Why fans thought it was real anyway

Timeline time. In August 2019, photos of Zendaya and Elordi on what looked like a low-key Greece getaway hit the internet. A few months later, paparazzi caught him kissing her on the head during a casual chat in New York. The internet did what it does: connected dots, declared a verdict.

Then it fizzled. Zendaya started appearing publicly with Tom Holland, and Elordi’s name got linked elsewhere. The rumored romance era quietly closed.

Season 3, because that’s why we’re here

Now to the actual show. Both Zendaya and Jacob Elordi are expected back for Euphoria season 3, along with several familiar faces and a batch of new ones. There’s also a creative swing in play that could reshape the whole thing.

• Returning cast: Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie
• New faces: Rosalia, Sharon Stone (yes, that Sharon Stone from Basic Instinct), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Marshawn Lynch, Darell Brit Gibson, Kadeem Hardison, Priscilla Delgado, Anna Van Patten

The plan (as we know it)

Official details are thin, but the current direction points to a time jump. The idea is to pick up with Rue a few years after season 2 and wade into the fallout of her choices and the ongoing fight with addiction. It’s ambitious. It also makes sense — these characters might work even better a little older and scarred.

Why the long wait?

Scheduling clashes and the industry strikes pushed production back more than once. The latest target is spring 2026. Annoying, yes. But at least there’s a window now.

Where to watch in the meantime

Euphoria is streaming on Max in the U.S. If you’re catching up, pace yourself — season 2 still hits like a truck.

So: time jump, big-name additions, Rue years down the road, and yes, Zendaya and Elordi back on screen together. What’s your bet on where season 3 takes them?