Euphoria' Star Breaks Silence on Shocking Death of Main Character in Season 3 Penultimate Episode

Euphoria's Season 3 penultimate episode delivers a drastic shift as Nate Jacobs' arc reaches a fatal turning point, prompting discussion from the show's stars. Jacob Elordi, the Australian actor who rose to fame after The Kissing Booth, has since led buzzy projects such as Saltburn and Frankenstein, which earned him an Oscar nod last year. In the episode Rain or Shine, Nate's struggles to pay off a $1 million loan to a ruthless loan shark named Naz culminate in a deadly outcome.

Elordi notes that filming Nate's final moments was challenging but not as terrifying as it might seem: he had to fit into a narrow coffin with arms confined, while the lid was sealed for the scene. The production used a boa constrictor with a rattler attached at the end, rather than a real rattlesnake, which heightened the scene's tension for viewers. The snake appeared to take a liking to him, according to behind-the-scenes accounts.

Cassie and Maddy, with help from Rue's boss Alamo, ultimately killed Naz; when they locate Nate and dig him out, it is too late to save him. The death is attributed to a rattlesnake bite. Elordi adds that Nate's arc reflects a string of dark decisions, and that filming the ending was intense, though unsettling. The episode's shocking finale has sparked extensive discussion among fans and critics.