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Euphoria’s Alexa Demie opens up on ‘losing herself’ while filming and almost quitting acting

'I created this character, but then I became her'

Oreoluwa Adeyoola
2nd June 2026, 16:28
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Alexa Demie, who plays Maddy in Euphoria, has shared the struggle of portraying Maddy and the toll it took on her mental health.

One of the breakout stars from Euphoria is Alexa Demie, who made us all fall in love with her as Maddy. The chic, no-nonsense icon is hard on the outside, but deals with a lot of traumatic incidents in her personal life. From her abusive relationship with Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) to her deep betrayal by best friend Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney), Maddy has been through it.

Alexa Demie told i-D that filming season three was a cathartic experience, compared to the trauma she carried as Maddy in season two.

“Filming season three truly felt like the third act of my journey with the show and I felt held. I don’t think it was a coincidence that Sam wrote God into the script the way he did… I felt the presence all around,” she said.

“Two was the hardest season, by far. After I finished filming that, I was like, ‘F*ck everything. F*ck the show—everyone. I don’t want to do this’,” the actress admired. “After season two, that was the catalyst for me to pull away from Hollywood, away from acting and being in the limelight, and come back into myself.”

During the long break between season two and three of Euphoria, Alexa reflected on how much of Maddy’s character she had been carrying without even realising.

“I didn’t realise how method I actually am—or was. I created this character, but then I became her. Because I am naturally more shy, unless I’m performing, I used her as a mask. So when I would do press or meet people, I was in [character],” she continued.

“She was my shield, she was my mask. I created her, and there are pieces of her that are me. There is a deep-rooted connection to her, but I’m not her. I’m not Maddy. I remember a moment where I realised Maddy was so enmeshed in me, that when I pulled her out, I just started crying.”

After almost a decade working on the series, Alexa said goodbye to Maddy in Sunday night’s Euphoria finale. She’s officially confirmed she’s not retired from acting, and I can’t wait for her next project.

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