“It’s been a strange few weeks,” Hunter Schafer tells me over a Zoom call from Los Angeles. “Because I wasn’t sure if Euphoria was really over or not.” When the actor and model saw that the last episode was officially called the “series finale,” she realized the HBO show—where she made her acting debut in 2019, playing Jules opposite Zendaya’s Rue—had truly ended. “I was like, ‘Okay, it’s over now.’ So I’ve been processing that,” Schafer says. “And thinking a lot about what’s next.”
When we talk, it’s a calm-before-the-storm moment for Schafer, ahead of a busy year. She’s the face of Mugler’s Angel Blush Eau de Parfum, a fresh take on a beloved fragrance launching nationwide this fall. Her IMDB is packed: upcoming projects include the miniseries Blade Runner 2099, Tom Ford’s Cry to Heaven, the Japanese horror video game OD (co-written by Hideo Kojima and Jordan Peele), the surreal film Fish (starring alongside Tim Roth), the psychological horror film Palette, and more.
It’s an impressive lineup for any actor, especially for someone who never planned on acting. I tell Schafer I first came across her work about a decade ago, when Tavi Gevinson’s beloved teen magazine Rookie published her illustrations. Back then, as a teenager, Schafer became known as a model and trans rights activist. After high school, she planned to study fashion at Central Saint Martins. Then Euphoria happened.
Photo: Carlijn Jacobs for Mugler
Now, the self-described “fashion nerd” since middle school says working with Mugler is a dream. “I was watching those hour-long runway shows you can find on YouTube when I was in high school,” she says, adding that Mugler has always been a “huge source of inspiration” for her.
When we talk, she’s about to head to Italy for her next film. But lately, Schafer has been enjoying the summer, watching Love Island USA (“I’ve really gotten into Bravo this year,” she says), and taking a lighter, more natural approach to beauty. She spent the last few summers in Europe and is inspired by the French “less is more” philosophy.
“I like to keep it lighter and more natural because it’s warm,” she says. “Elevating myself with lighter makeup or a lighter, sweeter fragrance.” Wearing perfume is like “stepping into a heightened or elevated version of yourself,” she explains. “It’s the same thing that putting on a pair of heels does for me, or putting on a costume at work.”
Photo: Carlijn Jacobs for Mugler
Schafer has had to step into many different versions of herself as an actor, taking on new challenges, including doing an accent for the first time for her first period piece.
“It’s still kind of mind-blowing to me because this wasn’t a career I was planning on,” she says of all her upcoming projects. But she’s not immune to self-doubt. “Every once in a while, I’m like, ‘Okay, is this it? Is the jig up? Or am I going to keep going?'” she shares. But the phone keeps ringing. “I’ve been really lucky,” she says.
Photo: Carlijn Jacobs for Mugler
How does she prepare for each role? “For the job that was a period piece with an accent and everything, obviously that’s something new and scary to a degree. But it’s how it’s felt ever since I started,” she says. “Like with Euphoria, where I had no idea what I was doing, and just had to throw myself in.”
“It’s a lot of faking it till I make it, trusting that I have the power and artistic depth to bring it to these opportunities,” she continues. “Even before that, with Rookie, which was my first time making work that was published, which was also terrifying—for a publication that I loved with all my heart.”The heart—it was terrifying in the sense that I had to step up my game and really bring it. As Schafer prepares for what’s next, she says her goal is to be “gracious” with herself. “I found out it’s my Saturn Return,” she explains. “It feels right in that I’m continuing to step into new roles and take on new challenges, and to know that I can do it even when it’s hard.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on Hunter Schafers recent discussions about the end of Euphoria her upcoming projects and her Saturn return
General Euphoria Ending
Q Is Euphoria actually ending What did Hunter say
A Hunter has said she feels the show has naturally run its course She hasnt confirmed a definitive end from HBO but shes expressed that the story feels complete for her character Jules and that shes emotionally ready to move on
Q Why does Hunter think the show is over
A She feels the core arcs for the characters have been resolved especially after the time jump in the special episodes Shes also hinted that the intense dark tone of the show is hard to sustain and shes ready for lighter roles
Q Did Hunter say anything about a Season 3
A She didnt confirm or deny a Season 3 Instead she focused on how shes personally closing the chapter suggesting she may not return even if the show continues without her
Q Is she sad about Euphoria ending
A Yes but in a bittersweet way Shes grateful for the experience and the character but shes excited to explore new creative opportunities
What Shes Doing Next
Q What is Hunter Schafer working on next
A Shes been focusing on independent film projects including a psychological thriller and a drama about young artists Shes also writing and developing her own original content
Q Is she still acting
A Yes but shes being more selective She wants roles that challenge her and arent just repeats of Juless emotional trauma
Q Is she doing any fashion or modeling work
A Shes still involved in fashion but shes shifted away from heavy modeling to focus on acting and writing Shes been seen at a few highprofile shows but isnt walking runways regularly
Q Is she directing or writing
A Yes Shes been very open about wanting to write and direct Shes currently working on a short film and a screenplay that she describes as weird and personal
The Saturn Return