HBO Defends ‘Euphoria’ Against Toxic Production Claims: ‘Never Any Formal Complaints Raised’

variety.com:

Zack Sharf HBO is defending “Euphoria” against reports claiming that production of the series’ second season was toxic and violated SAG-AFTRA stipulations.

The network stressed in a statement to Variety that “the well-being of cast and crew on our productions is always a top priority.” HBO said “Euphoria” Season 2 was produced in “full compliance with all safety guidelines and guild protocols.”The full statement from HBO reads: “The well-being of cast and crew on our productions is always a top priority.

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.

We maintain an open line of communication with all the guilds, including SAG-AFTRA. There were never any formal inquiries raised.” The Daily Beast published a report in which background actors on the series claimed there were “multiple complaints made to SAG-AFTRA over the production failing to provide them meals on time and refusing to let people use the bathroom.” Sources also told the publication that the set “didn’t have a proper holding area for the extras” and that “there were so many complaints called into SAG-AFTRA that a union rep turned up to set.”A source close to the series told Variety that no formal complaints were ever filed to SAG-AFTRA.