‘Sam Levinson is not a scab’: ‘Euphoria’ producer Jeremy O. Harris slams David Zaslav as writers’ strike puts season 3 in jeopardy

Producer Jeremy O. Harris is not holding back his thoughts on the ongoing writers’ strike and its potential impact on Euphoria‘s third season. In an interview for Variety and Kering’s Women in Motion discussions in Cannes, Harris urged Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav “to make a deal” to end the writers’ strike and allow season three production of Euphoria to proceed as planned.

Harris spoke about the Euphoria creator not crossing picket lines to work on the film. The playwright who won the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award in 2018 stated:

All I’ll say is Sam Levinson is not a scab. He’s not a scab. David Zaslav, make a deal. That’s what I’ll say about Season 3 of Euphoria. Make a deal, David. It’s easy. Just come to that table.

Striking writer Sam Levinson, who debuted as a co-writer on the action comedy picture Operation: Endgame, then adapted the Israeli series of the same name into the hit HBO adolescent drama Euphoria. Levinson received nominations for a BAFTA TV Award and two Primetime Emmys for his work on the series.

Harris, a colleague of Levinson’s on Euphoria, is most known as the playwright of Slave Play, which received a record-setting 12 Tony Award nominations in 2021. 

Harris discussed his work as a playwright, producer, and actor with Variety‘s Chief Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and his support for including minority voices in the entertainment industry. Harris praised Zendaya in particular, saying: 

You can’t talk about Euphoria without talking about the ways in Zendaya is such a leader there. You see her and Sam sitting together and going through every scene in the script. She asks questions not only as a lead actress but also as a producer. What I learn every time I go to that set is that I can’t stop working really hard. I can’t rely on my charms or the way people perceive me.

Euphoria has a devoted fanbase that can’t wait to see Zendaya and the rest of the cast. The season two finale of the show aired in February of 2022 but plans to begin filming season three this year may be delayed if the writers’ strike continues.