Following Euphoria Actress’ Request for Fewer Nude Scenes, PTC Calls on Euphoria Creator to Eliminate All Nude Scenes of Teen Characters

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2022) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) called on HBO Euphoria Creator Sam Levinson to eliminate the sexually explicit, nude scenes of teenage characters, in keeping with a Euphoria actress’ request for fewer nude scenes for her character.

Euphoria Actress Sydney Sweeney, who plays high school teenager Cassie, reportedly asked Levinson to cut some nude scenes of her from the script, and he did.

Variety reported, “Sweeney said Levinson wrote in a lot more nude scenes for her character in Season 2 that she was able to remove without any challenge from the creator. ‘There are moments where Cassie was supposed to be shirtless and I would tell Sam, ‘I don’t really think that’s necessary here.’ He was like, ‘OK, we don’t need it.’”

“Given how many nude scenes feature teenager Cassie, it’s clear that it is Levinson’s intention is to exploit this teen character, regardless of the fact that the actress was able to successfully request fewer nude scenes. And exploit he does, given that episode 2 fixates on Cassie’s naked body as she engaged in various sex acts with another character. Of course, this begs the question—just how many nude scenes was Cassie scripted for?” said PTC Program Director Melissa Henson.

“The fact that an actress playing a teenager had to request fewer nude scenes is outrageous. This just shouldn’t have to happen. This only drives the narrative that HBO continues to exploit teen characters for its own profit,” she said.

To date, Euphoria season 2 has: Shown high school aged characters and adults in explicit sex scenes, including multiple on-screen depictions of male genitalia and female breasts; Mainstreamed underage drinking and illicit drug use; Uses graphic violence; Constantly barrages viewers with explicit language (329 “f-words” in three episodes). (Content examples and additional data can be viewed here.)

“While Levinson and HBO may shirk responsibility for this program’s effect on teens and children who are watching Euphoria, they would be wrong. When you have a show that constantly exploits its high school aged teen characters with such frequency, intensity, and in such adult ways, this can only have a negative impact on young viewers. HBO must cease its corporate irresponsibility and change course immediately,” Henson said.

The PTC is urging members of the public to sign its petition calling on AT&T/HBO to stop airing child-themed pornography.
The Parents Television and Media Council® (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.4 million members, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC™ also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families. Visit the new PTC Watchdog Blog at http://www.parentstv.org/blog/. Follow the PTC on Twitter: @ThePTC.