Euphoria Emmy Submissions 2026: Zendaya Goes for Historic Third Win

The Final Campaign Begins — and the Stakes Have Never Been Higher

Euphoria is over. The show is done. And now, the cast is heading straight into Emmy season for one last shot at glory — and for Zendaya, that shot could make television history.

Zendaya

According to Gold Derby, HBO has officially confirmed its complete Emmy submissions list for Euphoria's final season, and it is exactly the kind of star-studded farewell campaign you would expect from one of the most talked-about dramas of the past decade. Two-time Emmy winner Zendaya is submitted for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Rue Bennett — a role that already made her the youngest lead actress winner in Emmy history back in 2020, and the youngest two-time winner when she won again in 2022. A third win would put her in genuinely historic territory.

No pressure, though.

Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and a Farewell to Eric Dane

Zendaya is not the only name on the ballot worth paying attention to. Jacob Elordi is submitted in the Supporting Actor category after delivering one of the season's darkest performances as Nate Jacobs. The timing is notable — Elordi is coming off a career-defining year that included an Oscar nomination for his role in Frankenstein, and a strong Emmy showing would cement his status as one of the most in-demand actors of his generation.

Sydney Sweeney is also in the mix, submitted for Supporting Actress after wrapping her run as Cassie Howard. Sweeney's Cassie has been one of the show's most emotionally volatile characters across three seasons, and Emmy voters have a track record of rewarding exactly that kind of high-wire dramatic work.

Then there is Eric Dane, submitted in the Outstanding Guest Actor category. His submission carries a weight that goes beyond television awards. Dane, who played the menacing Cal Jacobs across multiple seasons, passed away in February at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS. His submission marks one of his final television appearances, and his name appearing on any Emmy ballot this year will carry a significance that has nothing to do with winning or losing.

The Reviews Were Not Kind — and the Odds Reflect That

Here is where things get complicated. The third and final season of Euphoria did not exactly land the way HBO had hoped. The show returned after a four-year hiatus to enormous anticipation, but critical reception was significantly cooler than in previous seasons. The season takes a five-year time jump that reset several storylines, and not everyone was on board with the direction.

Gold Derby's own prediction data tells the story clearly. At the start of April, Euphoria was sitting at number seven in Best Drama Series odds, with a 65% chance of earning a nomination — respectable but far from certain. That number has shifted meaningfully since reviews came in, with the show's Emmy prospects taking a real hit in a competitive field that includes The Pitt, The Diplomat, Paradise, Slow Horses, and HBO's own Task.

For Zendaya individually, the picture is more encouraging. Despite the mixed season reception, her performance has earned enough goodwill to keep her in contention. She is currently sitting at number three on Gold Derby's experts-only leaderboard, behind The Diplomat's Keri Russell and Pluribus' Rhea Seehorn. That means a nomination is still very much possible — and if she gets it, history could follow.

A Swan Song That Zendaya Herself Saw Coming

It is worth noting that even before the season aired, Zendaya was already hinting at finality. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show ahead of the April 12 premiere, she was asked directly whether season three would be the last. Her answer was simple: "Yes, I think so. That closure is coming."

HBO had not officially confirmed the end at that point, but Zendaya said it anyway. And she was right.

The show that launched her into a different stratosphere of fame, gave her a character the internet could not stop dissecting, and handed her two Emmy trophies is now officially in the rearview mirror. What is left is the awards campaign — and the small matter of whether she can become the first woman in Emmy history to win Best Drama Actress three times for the same role.

Emmy nominations will reveal whether the Academy agrees. Either way, Rue Bennett's story is finished. And what a story it was.

From FTE News