Sydney Sweeney has previously spoken about her father’s reaction after he watched an episode of Euphoria without warning.
The actor plays Cassie in the HBO series, which has included several graphic and controversial scenes involving her character. Recent season three episodes have prompted fresh discussion online.
Sweeney has appeared as Cassie across all three seasons of Euphoria. Recent episodes have left viewers surprised, with Sunday’s episode including a scene where Sweeney appeared completely topless. The most recent episode also included the death of a main cast member.
The sexual nature of Cassie’s storyline may explain why some relatives had not watched the series quickly. Sweeney, 28, has previously said her mother had seen some of her scenes. Her mother had visited the Euphoria set several times, which meant she knew more about the story.
Sweeney said the same was not true of her father, who watched without being prepared first.
Sweeney described her family’s response
Sweeney discussed the moment during an appearance on Sunday Today in 2023. She told interviewer Willie Geist that her father and grandfather watched an episode without telling her. She said she had not warned her father about the show’s content.
“My mom visited me on set quite a few times, so she knew the story,” she said. Sweeney added that she had not prepared her father “at all” before he watched the episode.
“When I talk to my dad, it’s usually not about work,” Sweeney added. “We talk father-daughter conversations, so he decided her was going to watch [Euphoria] without telling me with his parents.”
Geist then asked Sweeney how her family reacted after seeing the episode. “My dad and my grandpa turned it off and walked out,” The Housemaid star said. “But my grandma – she’s a big supporter of mine. She’s a big fan.”
Sweeney also said she brings her grandmother to sets around the world. She said she tries to find her roles as an extra in her projects. Cassie has been central to several controversial Euphoria moments.
Other scenes have also prompted concern
Not all of the show’s controversial moments have involved Sweeney’s character. A season three scene involving Jules, played by Hunter Schafer, also prompted concern. In the scene, Jules was mummified at the request of her sugar daddy, Ellis.
Mummification is a fetish involving pleasure from wrapping someone, or being wrapped personally. The portrayal led sex experts to issue warnings about safety and consent. Gigi Engle advised people to keep the practice safe and fully consensual.
“If you’re new to it, looser is better – the wrapping should never squeeze the body,” she advised. “Be sure you’re not wrapping the face at all, and have safety scissors nearby in case you need to get the person out of the bindings really quickly.”
Featured image credit: HBO
