HBO’s new teen drama Euphoria released its first episode Sunday night that featured a drug overdose, statutory rape and revenge porn.
The highly-anticipated show, which stars former Disney actress Zendaya, was predicted to give viewers a whirlwind of a ride and the pilot episode did just that.
Euphoria follows a group of high school students, each going through their own relatable problems such as body image, drug addictions and trying to fit in.
In the first episode, viewers see Zendaya’s character, Rue, suffering from a drug overdose.
That scene is accompanied by a group of shirtless teen boys hovering around a phone as they look at revenge porn photos of another character in the series after the images were leaked online by someone she had sex with.
There was also a statutory rape scene involving Hunter Schafer’s 17-year-old character, Jules.
The highly-anticipated show, Euphoria, which stars former Disney actress Zendaya (pictured), was predicted to give viewers a whirlwind of a ride and the pilot episode did just that
Euphoria follows a group of high school students, each going through their own relatable problems such as body image, drug addictions and trying to fit in. In the first episode, viewers see Zendaya’s character, Rue, suffering from a drug overdose (pictured)
That scene is accompanied by a group of shirtless teen boys hovering around a phone as they look at revenge porn photos of another female character in the series after the images were leaked online by someone she had sex with
There was also a statutory rape scene involving Hunter Schafer’s 17-year-old character, Jules (left). That scene took place at a motel where Jules went to meet a married father-of-three, played by Eric Dane (right)
That scene took place at a motel where Jules went to meet a married father-of-three, played by Eric Dane.
The shocking scene featured an erect prosthetic penis that was worn by Dane who proceeded to have sex with Jules, the show’s transgender character.
The first episode also showed countless drug scenes, partying and a rough sex encounter with two of the shows main characters.
Meanwhile, Zendaya’s character narrates the entire story.
It was initially reported that TV viewers who got a glimpse at the series before it premiered Sunday night were outraged by the new teen drama that features full frontal nudity and graphic sex.
But social media is telling quite the opposite story with several Twitter users and celebrities praising Zendaya’s performance.
But social media is telling quite the opposite story with several Twitter users and celebrities praising Zendaya’s performance
Zendaya’s performance earned her praise and love from big names like Hollywood star, Halle Berry
‘Zendaya FINALLY showcasing her talent,’ one user wrote, adding that her performance was ‘magnetic’.
‘Having Zendaya as narrator as well is the best. Love how she expresses how she feels,’ another wrote.
Zendaya’s performance earned her praise and love from big names like Hollywood star, Halle Berry, as well as rapper, Big Sean.
Others applauded the writing skills for the series noting one scene where a virgin character was told to ‘catch a d**k’.
Another Twitter user expressed their shock for Dane going from being McSteamy in Grey’s Anatomy to a ‘perverted old man’ in Euphoria.
Others applauded the writing skills for the series noting one scene where a virgin character was told to ‘catch a d**k’
Another Twitter user expressed their shock for Dane going from being McSteamy in Grey’s Anatomy to a ‘perverted old man’ in Euphoria
And while some praised the show, others were outraged by the explicit series, especially those used to seeing 22-year-old Zendaya on the squeaky-clean Disney sitcom Shake It Up.
Several HBO shows have pushed the envelope by depicting nudity and graphic sex, including Game of Thrones, Girls and Sex and the City.
However, Euphoria seems to be a step too far for some.
‘Another Hollywood Freakshow (sic) Depicting Deviant Behavior As Normal…’ one wrote, before adding the pro-Donald Trump hashtag ‘#MAGA’.
Another tweeted: ‘What is the point of this show? And why can’t anything be left to ones’ imagination?’
Ahead of the premiere, Zendaya shared a photo and a message about the show on Instagram.
‘Just a reminder before tonight’s premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences. It’s a raw and honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today,’ she wrote.
Ahead of the premiere, Zendaya shared this photo and a message about the show on Instagram
‘Just a reminder before tonight’s premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences. It’s a raw and honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today,’ she wrote on Instagram (pictured)
‘There are scenes that are graphic, hard to watch and can be triggering. Please only watch if you feel you can handle it. Do what’s best for you. I will still love you and feel your support,’ the actress added.
And if folks are that angry over the first episode, they better not watch the second one that will reportedly feature a locker room scene that shows 30 penises, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Series creator Sam Levinson conceded that ‘there are going to be parents who are going to be totally f**king freaked out’.
Parents Television Council president Tim Winter already slammed the series before it aired, telling news site that it ‘appears to be overtly, intentionally marketing extremely graphic adult content — sex, violence, profanity and drug use — to teens and preteens’.
But for those who are already eager to see episode two of Euphoria, tune in to HBO next Sunday at 10pm.
Parents Television Council president says the series ‘appears to be overtly, intentionally marketing extremely graphic adult content to teens and preteens’
The creator of the controversial teen drama has admitted that some parents will ‘freak out’ about the show