Every Euphoria Season 2 Character Ranked By Likability
Nearly every character on "Euphoria" is flawed. That is, to say the least, relatable to the real world. Of course, some characters are more flawed than others (we're looking at you, Cal Jacobs). Plus, the story is still going strong, so events can –– and will –– change on a seasonal basis. Although everyone has their favorite character, we took up the challenge of ranking the "Euphoria" Season 2 characters by likability, a task that is, admittedly, subjective.
All the actors portray their characters with brilliance. Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) might not necessarily be a cherished persona, but that's also because Elordi plays his character like a fiddle, staying true to Nate's dark, mysterious, and, at times, abusive nature. All the same, Chris McKay (Algee Smith) is technically a main cast member, but the character appeared to be written off in Season 2 to the point of almost disappearing entirely.
The second season of "Euphoria" is flooded with disturbing moments, heart-breaking trauma, and, against all odds, an electrifying high school musical. Needless to say, the characters brought it on the second season, so here is every "Euphoria" Season 2 (main) character ranked by likability.
15. Cal Jacobs
In case audience members weren't keeping score, Cal Jacobs cheats on his wife, has sex with a minor, videotapes his partners without their permission, and he also left his family –– and before doing so, he told each family member how worthless they are to him. That said, it was interesting to see Cal's past in Episode 3 "Ruminations: Big and Little Bullys." Audiences still might find themselves slightly feeling sorry for Cal, despite destroying his family's lives and, most notably, his son Nate's, who everyone rightfully dislikes — outside of Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney).
Having a double life tends to not work out in movies, shows, and reality. For example, balancing two lives almost ruined Don Draper of "Mad Men," and Cal is not Don Draper. In the "Euphoria" Season 2 finale, the consequences of a double life (not to mention bedding a minor) presumably led to Cal going to jail. Cal had the perfect life on paper, but his secret life rotted his core. Yet classic Cal blames his problems on his family in a drunken state.
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
14. Nate Jacobs
It's hard to feel bad for Nate Jacobs. He's had some troubling occurrences in his life, leading to trauma (most notably, finding his dad's CDs when he was a child). Instead of getting help, he takes his pain and suffering out on people with anger, rage, and all-out abuse. No one is perfect in the "Euphoria" universe, and Nate has a plethora of reasons to be mad, but the way he handles his issues has led him to be one of the least likable characters of the series to date.
Some of the worst things Nate has done include choking his ex-girlfriend Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) to the point of leaving bruise marks, blackmailing Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), drinking and driving with people in the car, and nearly killing Tyler after breaking into his apartment and blackmailing him for good measure. Nate manipulates people on an episode basis to get what he wants or to simply be cruel. He has some serious issues that have rightfully led to trauma, but his actions are sinister, at best. Nate did other horrid things along the way, but he's the creation of his father.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
13. Cassie Howard
Cassie Howard had quite the second season. Not only does she have a sexual relationship with her best friend's ex-boyfriend (who she still has mixed feelings for), but she attempts to justify the betrayal by saying there was no overlap between Nate and Maddy's relationship and Nate and Cassie's relationship. Though Nate and Maddy's time together was intertwined with toxicity and abuse, Cassie is supposed to be Maddy's best friend.
To make matters worse for Cassie's Season 2 storyline, she tried to ruin her younger sister's (Lexi Howard, played by Maude Apatow) tell-all play by crashing the stage. Cassie is entitled to her emotions and her sister probably should have told her about the contents of the play, but Cassie takes the darkest path possible when faced with her problems. She turned from a sweet and misunderstood teenager in Season 1 to a person who is seemingly trying to wreck her life in Season 2 –– all in the name of "love."
12. Elliot
New to Season 2, Elliot (Dominic Fike) might seem like he doesn't cause as much damage as some of the other characters –– mainly because he has a cool and laid-back persona –– but he appears destined to try to have a threesome with Rue Bennett (Zendaya) and Jules. Yet, worst of all, he plays a role in getting Rue to start taking drugs again. With that said, he did tell Jules about Rue's continued drug use, which eventually led to a rip-roaring intervention.
Elliot might be the one person who likes Rue for who she is on drugs, but he knows her past and the fact that she recently overdosed, went to rehab, and is trying to stay clean –– all while only being a teenager who's still in high school. There are certainly worse-behaving characters than Elliot on "Euphoria," but based on his short time on the show so far, he's mostly only made Jules and Rue's lives worse, if not more messy and complicated.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
11. Kat Hernandez
Similar to most characters on "Euphoria," Kat Hernandez (Barbie Ferreira) is just trying to figure out who she is as a person. She not only wants to fit in — but be cool, to boot. Though she starts to blaze her own trail by becoming more confident and owning who she is, she makes one terrible mistake: She broke Ethan Daley's (Austin Abrams) heart for no reason.
Although Ethan might seem like the perfect boyfriend, Kat believes their relationship is missing a spark and he simply doesn't make her feel how she wants to feel. Love, no matter how old or young you are, is complex. The issue, however, is that Kat gaslights Ethan into breaking up with her rather than breaking up with him because she no longer had feelings for him. Though she got her wish, Ethan saw right through her and their relationship came to an end.
10. Ashtray
Depending on who you ask, Ashtray (Javon Walton) is a fan-favorite. This mostly has to do with his age and his undying loyalty to Fez. If you take away the fact that he's a kid, you're left with a calm yet violent person. Ashtray, after all, murdered drug-dealer Mouse with a hammer. He also stabs Custer in the neck. And, against Fez's better judgment and wishes, he unloaded on authorities when they broke down their door, seemingly hitting Fez with a stray bullet in the process.
Nevertheless, Ashtray is easily the most loyal character on "Euphoria," and he would do anything for Fez. He's also only a kid, has a rough upbringing, and is lacking parental supervision. Despite Ashtray's violent nature, he's still one of the most beloved characters on the show, and he only crosses the line when he's trying to protect Fez. What can we say, complicated characters are the best characters.
9. Jules Vaughn
Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), like all of the other "Euphoria" characters, isn't perfect. But she's just a kid who's trying to navigate the trials and tribulations of being a teenager in the intense universe that's "Euphoria." Perhaps most head-scratching about Jules is the fact that she took drugs despite her mother and Rue's issues with drugs. Jules also gets high and drunk around Rue –– Rue might say it's fine, but she's coming off an overdose, she's clearly not in charge of her addictions, and allowing Rue to go into those settings only leads to one outcome for Rue: Relapsing.
Jules also left Rue at the train station, but that was in Season 1. Jules, perhaps worst of all, cheats on Rue with Elliot, despite suspecting that Rue was cheating on Jules with Elliot. Nonetheless, Jules is a teenager who's trying to figure out her transitioning and what it means for her to be a woman. It's not her responsibility to take care of Rue, and she manages these stressors while being in the middle of a blackmail scandal by the worst person ever, Nate. Her zest for life and openness about what she wants are some of her redeeming qualities. Jules is, through and through, unabashedly herself. If that's not all, Jules also likely saved Rue's life by telling her mom about her drug use.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
8. Maddy Perez
Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) is a far better human when she's not in a relationship with Nate. With Nate, she's swimming in a pool of toxicity as she falls head over heels for him one moment and then, in a jealous act, causes a scene in front of everyone. Maddy, for better or worse, is not afraid to stand up for herself. Though she is seemingly one of the most popular girls in school and can appear mean, it's all a façade. She typically accepts people for who they are and, for all it's worth, has done less damage than the other main characters.
Not to be forgotten, the worst thing she has ever done is utterly horrible: She lied about Tyler assaulting her to protect –– you guessed it –– Nate. As she starts to separate herself in Season 2, Maddy goes through a necessary growing phase in a positive direction. Instead of wanting to do nothing with her life, she gets a job as a babysitter. Maddy's growth –– and by extension likability –– was on the up throughout Season 2. The only hope is that it continues on "Euphoria" Season 3.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
7. Rue Bennett
Rue Bennett (Zendaya) very well could be the most complicated character on "Euphoria." Yet, in a nutshell, she prioritizes drugs over her relationships, a terrible fate that can lead to a person paying the ultimate price, or living a lonely existence. Rue, like all the other characters, is trying to balance trauma with figuring out where she fits into the world. To make matters worse, she has a severe drug addiction. Despite overdosing, going to rehab, and attending Narcotics Anonymous, Rue continues to take drugs –– though, she's sober at the end of Season 2 and trying to make amends with the people she wronged, including herself. When Rue is at her best, she's one of the most likable characters, yet when the opposite rings true, she buries herself in an all-encompassing high, prioritizing drugs over all other elements.
But alas, Rue's father died when she was young and she also deals with mental health issues. And Zendaya's acting (and narration) turns this good show into a great one. Rue's rock bottom was hard to watch, yet we're still rooting for her to stay sober and eventually find happiness, meaning, and love.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
6. Leslie Bennett
Though Leslie Bennett (Nika King) might not get as much screen time as some of the other characters, she's still rightfully a main character. And, to date, she's trying to navigate life without her husband while attempting to raise two daughters. Some of her scenes with Rue are, to be sure, hard to watch, as Leslie doesn't know how to raise a teenager suffering from addiction. Therefore, it's hard not to feel bad for her.
Above all else, Leslie is a supportive mother to Rue and Gia Bennett (Storm Reid), even when she virtually says she's giving up on Rue. To that end, she does one of the hardest things to do as a parent –– she leads a disturbing intervention of her daughter. Leslie hasn't had it the easiest in Season 2, and that's because her happiness is ultimately tied to her kids. Here's to hoping events get easier for Leslie.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
5. Gia Bennett
The worst thing Gia Bennett (Storm Reid) has ever done is, quite possibly, partying while her big sister is trying to stay sober. Again, life is complicated and Gia is just trying to live her life. That said, she was the one who found Rue after her overdose, an undeniably traumatic and life-altering event that'll likely stick with her forever.
Rue takes the loss of her father worse (at least on the outside), but Gia still went through the same awful experience. Sometimes, however, being the youngest sibling has its perks as horrible events don't always affect the youngest as badly as the oldest. Sadly, Gia and Leslie's lives through two seasons have mostly revolved around Rue's behavior and addiction. They both live out every day fearing that the worst is going to happen to Rue. That's a terrible way to live, yet understanding considering everything Gia has been through. Hopefully, events get better for the Bennett family in Season 3. Gia deserves to experience her life.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
4. Ali Muhammad
Ali Muhammad (Colman Domingo) is, by all accounts, one of the most likable characters on "Euphoria" Season 2. As Rue's sponsor, Ali is trying to ensure that Rue doesn't make the same mistakes he did. Ali is also honest in his approach and shines a realistic light on addiction and the problems that come from it.
"Euphoria" is an intense show that's not always easy to watch, and Domingo's portrayal of an addict who's managed to stay sober over the years is cringe-worthy –– in all the right ways. His utter happiness of having a few moments with his daughter on the phone will rip your heart out as this proves that Ali barely has a relationship with his family –– his addiction robbed him of everything he cared about.
Ali is the best person that could have entered Rue's life — and we're totally here for a romantic relationship between Leslie and Ali.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
3. Ethan Daley
Call it recency bias if you want, but Ethan Daley's (Austin Abrams) performance in Lexi's play was magical. His portrayal of Cassie and Lexi's mom, Suze Howard (Alanna Ubach), was aces, and his other role as a character based on Nate –– especially during the workout scene –– stole the heart of the audience. Even before these performances, Ethan was ostensibly one of the only truly kindhearted people at East Highland High School.
Ethan treated Kat with respect, something that's apparently hard to come by at East Highland. The breakup with Kat could have led to some destruction, but Ethan stayed pure. That deserves props, especially on "Euphoria," as the characters tend to turn to revenge after they're wronged. Instead of blaming everyone else, Ethan tries to learn from his mistakes and continues to stay true to himself. But, again, Ethan manages to steal the show in Lexi's play, winning over the audience members of the said play and viewers of "Euphoria." Hopefully, this performance doesn't get to his head in Season 3.
2. Lexi Howard
Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) went from an afterthought in Season 1 –– as a result of living in Cassie's shadow –– to one of the most likable characters in Season 2. Her play not only put her character on the map, but it shined a light on her relationships with her friends and family. And, of course, her romance with Fez was unlikely yet became one of the most celebrated couples (if you will) in Season 2.
Unfortunately for Lexi, Cassie tried to ruin her play by crashing the stage. This event, in an odd way, further proves Lexi's meaning of the play as Cassie couldn't stand to play second fiddle to her younger sister. It can be argued that Lexi should have talked to her friends and family before putting on a play that's based on them, but that would have likely led to her creative talents never seeing the light of day. Her story would have been left untold.
It's always bold to air out your friends and family's dirty laundry in public, especially with the setting being a high school play. But this event also led to Lexi finally getting to hold the microphone and shout how she really feels. Plus, if Suze can laugh at the character that's based on her, then everyone else should be able to do the same.
1. Fezco
It's hard to come back from viciously beating up a person at a party, especially when you're a drug dealer, a character that tends to be portrayed in a dark light. Yet Fezco (Angus Cloud) managed to steal the show and people's hearts (alongside Lexi) in Season 2. Unfortunately, Fez didn't receive a pleasant ending in the Season 2 finale. His house was raided by authorities, he got shot, and Ashtray likely met his demise.
All that aside, Fez is somehow one of the more genuine characters, although he can clearly be violent from time to time. And whether they have a strong bond or not, getting his younger brother caught up in drug dealing is wrong on so many levels. The fact that Fez manages to rise above all this and still be one of the most likable Season 2 characters proves that audience members crave complicated characters. There's no getting around the fact that Fez is a drug dealer, but his grandmother surrounded him with that lifestyle at a young age. For better or worse, he sells drugs to support his ill grandmother and Ashtray. Somewhere in there, there's an admirable tale. Fez has a violent side to him, indeed, but he has a big heart and his budding romance with Lexi is arguably the best relationship on the show.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).