In a dramatic conclusion to the latest season of the HBO drama Euphoria, the character Nate Jacobs met a violent end after accumulating a $1 million debt with loan sharks. The episode, which aired on May 24, showed the East Highland High School alum buried alive in a coffin before being fatally bitten by a rattlesnake, according to details reported by eonline.com.
Jacob Elordi, who portrayed Nate Jacobs for nearly seven years, reflected on the character's demise during filming. "Tucked in this box with dust falling on me and a snake coming down the pipe—that's a cool way to go," Elordi said. He added that Nate "is someone who has made so many mistakes and made so many dark choices. It's cool to see it all come to what it's come to."
The storyline involved Nate's wife, Cassie Howard played by Sydney Sweeney, attempting to raise funds to free him after loan shark Naz, portrayed by Jack Topalian, issued a 72-hour deadline. During the ordeal, Nate had his toe and finger severed by Naz's henchman before the snake attack sealed his fate. Elordi described the physical challenges of the scene, noting how his shoulders touched the sides of the coffin and he could not move his arms once the lid was drilled on.
Despite the intensity, Elordi found the experience surprisingly calm. "It was really nice, actually. It was quite peaceful in there," he recalled. The snake, a boa constrictor named Little B--ch fitted with a fake rattler, proved an amiable co-star. "He was super cute," Elordi said. "He was real cuddly. So he kind of just saddled up next to me, and it was nice. But he was real sleepy. Sleepy snake. I had to kind of nudge him to get him to come up."
The death of Nate Jacobs marks one of several high-profile exits across television this season. In The Rookie, Bridget Regan bid farewell to her character Monica Stevens, who had previously escaped multiple threats including prison and a woodchipper incident. "She's escaped multiple assassinations," Regan told TV Insider, adding that she felt "only filled with gratitude" after four seasons.
Other departures include Supriya Ganesh leaving The Pitt after her character Dr. Samira Mohan pursued a new residency, as reported by Variety in April. On NCIS, Director Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll, was killed in a March 2026 shooting during the show's 500th episode after 18 years on the series. Mehcad Brooks exited Law & Order ahead of season 25 following three seasons as Detective Jalen Shaw.
Longtime Grey's Anatomy stars Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver, who portrayed Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman, concluded their nearly 20-year runs with the season 22 finale on May 7, 2026. Jenna Lyons announced she would not return to The Real Housewives of New York City for its 16th season, citing a desire for new dynamics after joining in 2022.
Reality series also saw changes, with Chrishell Stause departing Selling Sunset after nine seasons to focus on her mental health and other work. Jax Taylor confirmed he would skip season three of The Valley to prioritize sobriety and family. Multiple Saturday Night Live cast members, including Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, Devon Walker, Heidi Gardner, and Ego Nwodim, opted not to return for season 51.
Pedro Pascal's Joel Miller met a brutal end on The Last of Us season two, mirroring events from the source video game. "I get killed a lot," Pascal joked to Entertainment Weekly. Peter Krause left 9-1-1 after eight years as Bobby Nash, with showrunner Tim Minear noting the decision aimed to maintain narrative stakes.
Further exits spanned various shows, from Paige DeSorbo's departure from Summer House after seven seasons to Camille Razat stepping away from Emily in Paris ahead of season five. Reneé Rapp left The Sex Lives of College Girls to pursue music, while Kevin Costner confirmed his exit from Yellowstone in 2024. Earlier high-profile moves included Ellen Pompeo reducing her role on Grey's Anatomy in 2023 and Henry Cavill leaving The Witcher after season three.
These departures reflect shifting priorities among actors and producers seeking fresh storylines. According to the reports, many performers expressed gratitude for their time on the respective series while pursuing new projects or personal growth. Fans can expect additional changes as networks refresh their lineups for upcoming seasons.