Here’s how Euphoria altered Eric Dane’s season 3 storyline amid ALS diagnosis

Dane entered filming fully aware of his diagnosis and already experiencing symptoms. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells, leading to muscle weakness, twitching and cramping. It often begins in the hands, feet or limbs, with early signs including tripping, dropping objects or slurred speech, before progressing to impact mobility, swallowing and, eventually, breathing.

How did Eric Dane film Euphoria with his ALS?

Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, opened up about working with Eric Dane during this time in a recent interview with Extra.

“Eric called me before we started shooting and told me that he had been diagnosed with ALS,” Levinson recalled. “We had a lot of conversations about just life and what that meant. I loved him very deeply, and I said, ‘Eric, whatever shape you show up in, we’re gonna make it work. I have faith that it’s all gonna work.’”

To help incorporate Dane’s symptoms into the show, Levinson subtly adapted aspects of his character.

“He showed up and I could tell he had a slight slur in his voice and he told me that,” Levinson added. “I said, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll just put, like, five beer bottles in front of you and you’ve been drinking all night.’ He was like, ‘Perfect, perfect.’ And his character, it was such a gift.”

Fans got their first glimpse of Dane in the Euphoria season three trailer, released on 30 March, which teased a tense reunion between Cal Jacobs and Jules, played by Hunter Schafer, following their season one encounter.

“Remember me?” Jules asks in the clip. “How could I forget?” Cal replies.

The scenes were filmed during Nate and Cassie’s wedding, which Levinson described as a particularly hectic shoot.

“We’ve got 28 cast members on set, and he just showed up every day with such grace and dignity,” Levinson said. “He was a great human being.”