Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi has addressed his character’s ‘gruesome’ on-screen death ahead of the season finale next week (May 31), seven years after first joining the original cast.
Since debuting in 2019, the drama has helped turn Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney into household names, alongside lead star Zendaya.
Now, it appears Nate Jacobs’ story has reached its end, with the character written out in what’s reportedly the series’ penultimate episode.
Elordi, who has played Nate since the show began, said the part has meant far more than just another job, describing it as a major chapter of his life as well as his career.
In the latest episode, Nate is shown being buried alive with only a pipe to breathe through—until a gangster he owes money to sends a venomous rattlesnake down the pipe, delivering a fatal bite.
In an HBO behind-the-scenes video, Elordi reflected on Nate’s fate.
“It was a cool way to go, Nate is somebody who’s made so many mistakes and so many dark choices, it’s cool to see it all come to what it’s come to.”
He also spoke about filming the claustrophobic sequence.
“I had to go into this coffin, my shoulders were touching the side, and I couldn’t move my arms, and then they would drill the lid on and it would get dark.
“It was really nice actually, it was quite peaceful.”
Showrunner Sam Levinson also credited Elordi’s commitment, saying the actor was keen to push for as much realism as possible—including the idea of using an actual snake.
Elordi described how intense the moment felt inside the enclosed space.
“The snakes were rattling, which was really alarming when you’re locked in a box.
“They had a boa constrictor that they put a fake rattler on the end of, and Sam was like ‘I’m gonna drop a snake on you’.”
The third season arrived after a four-year gap and is set five years after the events of season two.
Looking back on his departure, Elordi said the experience came with mixed emotions.
“And that was it. It’s a bittersweet thing. This show is a massive part of not just my career, but my life. It’s been amazing, and I’m so proud being a part of this.”
However, the third season—widely rumored to be the final run—has drawn criticism from some viewers, with a portion of the audience labelling it ‘torture p*rn’.
Some of the most debated moments have involved Sweeney’s character launching an OnlyFans account.
Levinson later defended that creative direction in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
“We wanted to capture what she’s trying to show the audience and be inside of it, but then also pull back wider and see how depressing it is.”