The Unexpected Way Euphoria's Angus Cloud Was Tapped To Play Fezco
In 2019, the teen drama series "Euphoria" premiered on HBO. Upon its debut, the show quickly became known for its gritty and ostentatious representation of adolescence. Centered on the emotional highs and lows of growing up, the series features a core group of characters who must confront a range of difficult issues, including bullying, addiction, and relationship abuse. As NPR critic Eric Deggans observed, "These stories and several more are told with a gutsy, explicit flair, forcing the viewer to face the brutal reality of each character's pain, along with their poignant emotions."
Throughout the past two seasons, fans have come to know more about the inner workings of the ensemble cast and the roles they play. In season 2, the narrative unraveled detailed backstories for many characters, including Fezco (Angus Cloud). A lovable, yet complicated young man, Fezco entered the world of drug dealing at a young age. Once placed in the care of his grandmother, he was trained in the trade to make ends meet. Since then, he has continued to sell drugs, despite his reservations, in order to care for his family. A softhearted and quiet ally, Fezco struggles to be there for his friends while working in such a dangerous business. Over time, Cloud's portrayal of Fezco has drawn praise from both critics and fans. As one reviewer noted of season 2, "[H]e grew to be the heart of the series this year" (via GQ).
Notably, however, "Euphoria" is the first big project that Cloud joined in Hollywood. In fact, as Cloud himself revealed, his start in the industry has certainly been one-of-a-kind.
Cloud was scouted while walking around New York City
Prior to auditioning for "Euphoria," Cloud had been living in New York for two years. At the time, he had primarily found work as a server in the restaurant industry. During an interview with GQ, Cloud revealed that a casting representative stopped him while he was walking down a Manhattan street. After inviting him to audition for an upcoming television series, Cloud described his hesitance concerning the validity of the interaction. "I was confused and I didn't want to give her my phone number," he explained. "I thought it was a scam."
In the end, however, Cloud agreed to take a meeting — and his multiple readings for "Euphoria" appeared to pay off. Cast for his authenticity, the actor eventually moved to Los Angeles to begin filming for the series. At the same time, Cloud shared that he struggled with nerves in the beginning, specifically because he had never acted before. He noted, "I was trying to look normal and relaxed and chill ... But on the inside, I'm like, 'I don't know what I am doing. Why did they bring me over here for this? They should have gotten a real actor for this job'."
Yet, Cloud's commitment to the role has seemingly earned him a number of fans, particularly in light of Fezco's burgeoning romance with Maude Apatow's Lexi Howard (via Grazia Magazine). After numerous outlets worried about his character's possible death, viewers are both excited and concerned to see how Fezco fares in season 3.