Rue is back.
HBO has released the first trailer for the “Euphoria” holiday special, which picks up after the events of Season 1. Dripping with melancholy, the teaser shows a diner meetup between Rue (Zendaya) and Ali (Colman Domingo), whom she met at her Narcotics Anonymous meetings. “Why’d you call me?” asks Ali to a downcast Rue.
In August, Season 1 saw a tense ending with a rift between Rue and her new friend and love interest, trans girl Jules (Hunter Schafer), as well as a relapse. The first season of the edgy teen drama followed recovering drug addict Rue; violently troubled jock Nate (Jacob Elordi); and erotic One Direction fan-fiction writer and budding camgirl Kat (Barbie Ferreira), among others.
Zendaya became the youngest lead actress Emmy winner at 24 when she scored a statue for the role, beating more seasoned actresses in the category, including Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”) and Laura Linney (“Ozark”). It was followed by a brief tizzy online when her fans got confused about why her victory was referred to as an “upset.”
Season 2 of “Euphoria” has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and does not have a premiere date, though filming is expected to start in 2021. The teased special, called “Part 1: Rue,” is one of two that will fill in the long wait between Seasons 1 and 2.
The second special does not have a release date. The first part will air Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.