Euphoria Features Sydney Sweeney in a Topless OnlyFans Scene

Following criticism surrounding Cassie’s OnlyFans storyline, Euphoria escalated the narrative with additional scenes featuring Sydney Sweeney in topless situations, including instances where she engages in masturbation on camera.

In the episode aired on Sunday, May 10, Cassie increased her OnlyFans subscribers thanks to Maddie’s (Alexa Demie) assistance, creating explicit content. Some of this content was relatively tame, with Cassie recording seductive audio messages and participating in podcasts that supported men’s rights.

In contrast, other scenes depicted Cassie filming herself having sex, sending her used underwear to fans, and appearing topless again. While Cassie endeavored to earn money, her husband, Nate (Jacob Elordi), urged her to push her limits further to support him in paying off his debts.

Cassie’s storyline in season 3 has faced scrutiny, particularly from some OnlyFans creators who were dissatisfied with the portrayal of their profession. Nevertheless, creator Sam Levinson defended the decision to explore provocative themes.

“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor,” Levinson stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April. “But the real humor in the scene comes from the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it.”

He elaborated, “We aimed to discover the underlying absurdity, ensuring we didn’t stay too entrenched in her fantasy or illusion,” the 41-year-old added. “The trick is to break the fourth wall and jump out.”

Levinson discussed how he and director of photography Marcell Rév brought the visuals to life.

“While a contemporary and sleek setting seemed like an obvious choice, we opted for a mid-century home that feels slightly tacky yet reminiscent of the ‘70s,” Rév explained. “This may seem unconventional, but it opens up possibilities. OnlyFans has a unique aesthetic, and merging that with the show’s style posed a challenge. I won’t sugarcoat it.”

Despite the backlash, Levinson remained steadfast in his vision.

“Some scenes were illuminated solely with ring lights that she utilized. Inside, the effect is a beautiful, glowing front light, but stepping away reveals just a pool of light, surrounded by darkness. It’s harsh and unsettling,” he noted. “Our goal was to encapsulate what she aims to convey to the audience while also stepping back to reveal the underlying gloom.”

Euphoria airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.