HBO is denying allegations that the season two production of Euphoria was "toxic."
On Friday, March 4, the network issued an apparent response to a Daily Beast report, published the same day, in which anonymous background actors alleged multiple SAG-AFTRA violations and "hellish" conditions. In a statement to E! News, an HBO spokesperson stated, "The well-being of cast and crew on our productions is always a top priority."
They continued, "The production was in full compliance with all safety guidelines and guild protocols. It's not uncommon for drama series to have complex shoots, and COVID protocols add an additional layer."
In the Daily Beast, multiple background actors said they filed complaints to the SAG-AFTRA union because of the long work days and "production failing to provide them meals on time and refusing to let people use the bathroom," as one anonymous source said.
However, in HBO's new statement, the network said there were "never any formal inquiries raised." It added, "We maintain an open line of communication with all the guilds, including SAG-AFTRA."
Those who worked as extras for the New Year's Eve party, featured in episode one of season two, spoke to the Daily Beast about the conditions on the set, alleging they "didn't have a proper holding area for the extras" who were left with "two space heaters" as they filmed overnight in the "chilly conditions." Additionally, several sources told the Daily Beast that the background actors weren't given food after working for six hours, as required by SAG-AFTRA.
After filing complaints, the background actors said, a "union representative was sent to the set to ensure that union guidelines were being followed."
When contacted by the Daily Beast, a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson was unable to speak to the specifics of the complaint.
In response to the report, a spokesperson for the group told E! News in a statement, "Advocating for professional performer work categories like background actors and enforcing contractual provisions is one of SAG-AFTRA's core functions."
They added that its National Field Services Department is charged with resolving any on-set violations and enforcing contracts.
"All actors should benefit from the protections our members enjoy, and production companies signed to our agreements need to follow our safety protocols, wage and hour rules, and other protections," the SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said, "regardless of an actor's union status."
Though Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow and other cast members have expressed that filming the series is tough work, the stars have praised HBO for providing them with intimacy coordinators and other resources throughout production. Jacob Elordi recently said on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that the intimacy coordinator is attentive "to the point where you're like, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.'"
Not to mention, a source close to production told E! News, "These claims couldn't be further from the truth. The Euphoria set is a wonderful place to come to work. It seems like someone has a vendetta and is out to smear the show.
Seasons one and two of Euphoria are streaming now on HBO Max.
-Reporting by Spencer Lubitz
This story was updated on March 4, 2022, at 6:03 p.m. PT to add SAG-AFTRA's statement to E! News.