Jacob Elordi, who has portrayed the complex character Nate Jacobs on HBO's "Euphoria" since the series premiered in 2019, recently opened up about the dramatic and unsettling demise of his character in the show's third season.
The actor shared his thoughts in a post-episode segment that aired following the Sunday, May 24 broadcast, reflecting on what he described as a fitting end for a figure defined by poor decisions and moral ambiguity.
"That was a cool way to go. Nate was someone who has made so many mistakes and made so many dark choices," Elordi explained. "It's cool to see it all come to what it's come to."
According to the account, Nate's storyline in the season involved him fleeing from significant debts, culminating in a gruesome sequence where multiple body parts were severed before he was sealed inside a box pending repayment by Cassie, played by Sydney Sweeney.
Elordi detailed the physical challenges of filming the coffin scenes, noting how his shoulders pressed against the sides and his arms were immobilized before the lid was secured, plunging the space into darkness.
"My shoulders were touching the side and they couldn't move my arms. Then they would drill the lid on it and it would get dark," he recalled. "It was really nice, actually. It was quite peaceful in there."
The production team emphasized safety measures, particularly ensuring adequate oxygen supply, and commended Elordi for limiting his time inside the confined space during takes.
Creator Sam Levinson had initially pushed for authenticity by proposing the use of a real snake in the scene, resulting in both a rattlesnake and a boa constrictor appearing on screen, as reported in the segment.
Elordi described the unsettling sounds during filming, saying, "Snakes were rattling, which was really alarming when you are locked in a box." He added that the boa constrictor featured a fake rattler attached to its tail for effect.
Despite the tension, Elordi found the boa constrictor surprisingly agreeable, noting its cuddly nature and sleepy demeanor as it nestled beside him in the box.
"He was super cute. He was really cuddly. So he kind of just sidled up next to me and it was nice. But he was really sleepy. He was a sleepy snake. I had to kind of nudge him to get him to come up. And that was it," Elordi said.
The death occurred one week before the season finale, leaving viewers to process the sudden loss of a central character who had been central to the narrative since the beginning.
Elordi characterized his overall experience with the role as bittersweet, highlighting how the series has become integral to both his professional trajectory and personal life.
"This show is a massive part of — not just my career — but my life. It's been amazing and I'm so proud of being a part of this," he stated.
In earlier comments from a December 2025 Variety Actors on Actors interview, Elordi had teased potential changes in Nate's demeanor for the new season, suggesting he might come across as nicer, though he expressed uncertainty about the outcome.
"I finished filming a new season just recently, and it's a completely different thing," Elordi shared at the time. "I really do think [he will be nicer]. Whether it works or not — I don't know. There's a chance that what I've done is not good."
"Euphoria" continues to air on HBO Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, with the finale expected to address the aftermath of these events.