‘Euphoria’ Star Nika King Addresses Her Screen Time Being Cut in Season 3 Scene With Zendaya

Euphoria actress Nika King spoke out after her season 3 return was cut down to one quick shot.

During the Sunday, May 17, episode of the hit HBO series, Rue (Zendaya) got a surprise call from her mother, Leslie (King). Most of the conversation was only seen through Rue’s perspective as she spoke with her mom about trying to make better choices and being tired of the mess she found herself in.

The camera then briefly panned to show Leslie on the phone with Rue. Leslie had one line in which she told Rue she loved her before the show focused back on its protagonist.

King, 47, took to Instagram to address her dialogue being decreased after she recalled filming more of a back-and-forth conversation for the show.

“I just watched the episode that I’ve been promoting all week — and my mom over here is clowning me!” King quipped before adding that her mother laughed at her because “the internet waited all this time for [her] to just say one line.”

King continued: “You better be glad I have a sense of humor. You better be glad I’ve got thick skin.”

The short scenes marked King’s first appearance on Euphoria since 2022. Euphoria, which premiered in 2019, originally followed troubled high school student Rue as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took nearly three years for the episodes to air.

Season 3, meanwhile, was originally set to air on HBO in 2025 before facing several obstacles, including creator Sam Levinson’s commitment to his short-lived series The Idol. The dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which took place in late 2023, prolonged the delay.

“Season 3 is coming out. I don’t f***ing know. Don’t ask me. I don’t know. It’s one of those things,” King said during a stand-up show in March 2024. “People are like, ‘We need season 3.’ I’m like, ‘Bitch, I need season 3. I haven’t paid my rent in six months.’ And Zendaya’s over in Paris at Fashion Week. I’m like, ‘Bitch, come home! I need you! Mama need you!’”

King attempted to poke fun at the delays.

“You’re laughing and I’m serious. I haven’t booked anything since Euphoria. This is some bulls***,” she continued. “I thought my career was on the rise. After Euphoria I thought I was good. It don’t work that way. I called [Taraji P. Henson], she was like, ‘Bitch, get used to it.”

Since season 2 concluded in 2022, the cast went through a loss when Angus Cloud died at age 25 in July 2023 following an accidental overdose. The show addressed the fate of his character, Fezco, by having him imprisoned on a 30-year sentence, which has kept him off screen.

Eric Dane‘s Cal, meanwhile, made an appearance in two season 3 episodes that aired after the actor’s February death following a battle with ALS. He was 53.

Euphoria airs on HBO Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.