Euphoria boasts a cast and characters that are notably diverse. The primary protagonist and narrator of the show is Rue Bennett, who is portrayed by Zendaya. This character is one of several prominent characters of colour (Euphoria, 2019).

Other diverse ensemble members include Algee Smith as Christopher McKay, Storm Reid as Gia Bennett (Rue’s sister), and Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn, a transgender character (Euphoria, 2019). 

The ensemble cast of the program also delves into a variety of cultural backgrounds and experiences. Beyond racial representation, the diversity encompasses LGBTQ+ characters and narratives, particularly Jules’ character and her experiences as a trans adolescent. The program addresses a variety of issues that impact various communities, such as addiction, sexuality, identity, and relationships, and it presents these topics through a variety of cultural perspectives. The show demonstrates a sophisticated approach to gender and sexual identities through its innovative use of makeup and social media representation. It includes transgender actors such as Quintessa Swindell and examines gender and sexuality authentically, with guidance from transgender expert Scott Turner Schofield (Euphoria, 2019). 

The series distinctly eschews conventional classifications of relationships and identities, mirroring Gen Z’s more fluid perspective on sexuality and gender expression. The figure of Jules facilitates an exploration of intricate links between gender and sexuality, circumventing conventional transgender transition tales. The show’s diversity is augmented by its unique cinematography and non-linear storytelling, where the events were not presented in chronological order (Macintosh, 2022). The techniques have reflected the complex development of the characters in the shows and diversify the way the audiences think of the ongoing scenes of the shows, encouraging the audiences to think outside the box and put all the information together to create their own experience(Macintosh, 2022).

Bibliography

Goddard, M.N. and Hogg, C. (2018). Introduction: Trans TV as concept and intervention into contemporary television. Critical Studies in Television: The International Journal of Television Studies, 13(4), pp.470–474. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1749602018798217 .

Macintosh, P.H. (2022). Transgressive TV: Euphoria, HBO, and a New Trans Aesthetic. Global Storytelling: Journal of Digital and Moving Images, [online] 2(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.3998/gs.1550 .

Euphoria (HBO 2019). Prime Video. [online] Available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.f44a55f5-6c67-467c-b7a2-637c3f65dab4?ref_=imdbref_tt_wbr_ovf__pvt_aiv&tag=imdbtag_tt_wbr_ovf__pvt_aiv-21  [Accessed 14 Nov. 2024].

Written by Meng Hsin Kuo (33755528)