Hard words, deep tensions: Labrinth explains his withdrawal from “Euphoria” – and what that means for the sound of the third season with Hans Zimmer.
Labrinth’s exit from the hit series “Euphoria” once again draws attention to tensions behind the scenes of production. During the premiere of the third season, the musician publicly commented on his withdrawal and provided insights into his motivations.
Labrinth, who was largely responsible for the characteristic sound of the first two seasons, had a decisive influence on the atmosphere of the series with his music. His single “I’m Tired” in particular developed into an emotional leitmotif and was widely used, especially on social media, when it comes to topics such as excess and youthful conflict.
Conflicts behind the scenes
The Brit had already announced his exit in March 2026. Now he made his decision more concrete in several Instagram stories, sharply criticized the industry and spoke openly about personal experiences.
“People lie blatantly in this industry and still call themselves honest people,” he explained. He went on to say that he had decided to withdraw his contributions to the series. At the same time, he emphasized that he was generally prepared to subordinate himself to a creative vision – as long as the interaction remained respectful.
His statements suggest deeper tensions, although specific details about possible conflicts with the production team were not made public. An earlier statement was much more drastic: “I’m done with this industry. Fuck Columbia. Fuck you twice Euphoria. I’m out.”
In parallel to his criticism, Labrinth also hints at new musical projects in a current Instagram post. He shared a screenshot of a WAV file titled “Shut Your Damn” recorded back in 2024. According to the image description, the song will be released on April 13, 2026, coinciding with the release of the new season “Euphoria”.
Perhaps the lyrics provide further clues to the reasons for the breakup. It is also unclear whether “Shut Your Damn” was originally intended for the series.
Lack of clarity among those responsible
While Labrinth finds clear words, series creator Sam Levinson is surprised. He told Rolling Stone magazine that he didn’t know why the musician was no longer part of the project. “He’s an incredible collaborator and someone who really built the foundation of Euphoria’s sound,” Levinson said.
A collaboration between Labrinth and the renowned film composer Hans Zimmer was originally planned for the third season. After Labrinth’s departure, Zimmer is now solely responsible for the musical design.
A series in transition
Labrinth’s departure is not the first turning point for production. Actress Barbie Ferreira had already left the series, which caused unrest among fans. Many feared that other central figures could follow.
These concerns were further heightened by tragic events. The death of Angus Cloud, who became one of the most popular characters of the second season with his role as Fezco, hit the fan base hard. The death of Eric Dane, who was part of the third season, also causes further consternation.
Uncertain future and conspiracy theories
On social networks, fans are increasingly reacting to developments surrounding the series with speculation. Among other things, there is a theory circulating about a so-called “Euphoria Curse” – a supposed curse that accompanies production and is held responsible for negative events.
This idea is inspired by the so-called “Glee Curse”, which surrounds the series “Glee” and also refers to tragic events surrounding the production. Even if such theories have no factual basis, they show how powerful emotional bonds and narrative attributions are within fan cultures.
With the departure of a formative musical leader like Labrinth, “Euphoria” is facing a creative realignment. While Hans Zimmer undoubtedly has the experience to set new tonal accents, it remains to be seen whether the series can retain its previous sound and thus an essential part of its identity.
