Eric Dane will continue to film Euphoria after announcing his ALS diagnosis.
On Thursday, April 10, the actor, aged 52, announced that he had received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through an emotional statement published on People. In his statement, Dane revealed his intention to carry on with the production of season 3 of the series once filming recommences next week.
Via the statement, Dane, who portrays Cal Jacobs, expressed, “I am grateful that I have the opportunity to keep working and am excited to go back to the Euphoria set next week. I respectfully ask for privacy for myself and my family at this time.”
Alongside the health update, the former Grey’s Anatomy star also conveyed his appreciation for his family members. Dane is a father to daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with his wife Rebecca Gayheart.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” the statement read. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition, which is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It causes loss of muscle control and gets worse over time. There is no cure.
Euphoria has been on a lengthy hiatus since season two wrapped back in February 2022. HBO renewed the series for a third season the same month but did not offer up a premiere date.
Although the show was estimated to return in late 2023 or early 2024, Euphoria faced lengthy delays due to the dual WGA and SAG strikes. Following the deaths of cast member Angus Cloud and executive producer Kevin Turen as well as several of the actors involved in the show taking on other roles, fans began to lose faith that it would ever return.
“HBO and Erin Doyle Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” a spokesperson for the network insisted to Us Weekly in March 2024. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”
Despite concerns, Euphoria is now back in production and the new season is anticipated to drop sometime in 2026.
Dane previously opened up about his character and how he could relate somewhat to some of the inner turmoil he faced on-screen.
“Cal is living this double life, holding up this facade of having everything on the outside, controlled and pristine, while everything on the inside is a battle of epic proportions,” Dane told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2022. “I’ve had struggles in my past that invited me to lead that life of secrecy. I accepted the invitation wholeheartedly. … While the circumstances specifically might not be the same, the feelings certainly are.”
