“Euphoria” fans received shocking news last summer when Barbie Ferreira announced that she would no longer be playing Kat Hernandez on the hit HBO series.
“After four years of embodying Kat’s most unique and mysterious character, it is with great tears that I have to say goodbye,” Ferreira wrote on Instagram last year. “I hope a lot of you saw yourself in her like I did, and it gave you joy to see her journey into the character she is today. I put all my care and love into it, and I hope you felt it too. I love you Katherine Hernandez.”
It’s not every day that a young actor voluntarily gives up a role on one of television’s biggest shows, so Ferreira’s exit immediately sparked speculation about behind-the-scenes drama.
“Euphoria” has long been associated with difficult filming, with many blaming host Sam Levinson for the chaos. (Levinson’s second HBO series, “The Idol,” faced similar accusations of chaotic set environments).
Ferreira has always denied that her exit had anything to do with Levinson, although she declined to provide further details about her departure last year. But in a new look in the podcast “armchair expert with Dax Shepherd” Ferreira shed light on her decision to leave “Euphoria.” The actress explained that her departure was a creative decision she made because she didn’t see an organic way for her famously body-positive character to evolve without becoming cliche.
“I don’t think he had anywhere to go,” Ferreira said. “I think there were places he could have gone. I just don’t think it would have fit in the show. I don’t know if that does him justice and I think both parties knew that I really wanted to not be the fat best friend. I don’t want to play like that, and I don’t think they wanted to either.”
Ferreira also denied reports from the Daily Beast exposé that she left because of differences with Levinson. “I didn’t actually go,” Ferreira said. “Once I sprained my ankle and had to go for an X-ray. Maybe that’s what they mean?”
HBO has renewed “Euphoria” for a third season, though a release date has not been announced. Due to the series’ lengthy production process and the busyness of its increasingly famous cast, the new season will not be ready until 2024 at the earliest.
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