Euphoria star Eric Dane lifts the lid on the FUTURE of the hit HBO show amid furious cancelation speculation and rumors of behind-the-scenes rifts

Euphoria actor Eric Dane has revealed he feels 'optimistic' about season three of the much-loved HBO series, despite ongoing delays and rumors of behind-the-scenes conflict.

During an appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna on Tuesday morning, Jenna Bush Hager admitted to Eric, 51, that she loves the show and probed him on whether or not a third season of Euphoria will ever see the light of day.

The father-of-two, who plays Jacob Elordi's onscreen father Cal Jacobs in the gritty drama, didn't hesitate before responding and said: 'Well, so we pushed off of 2024, okay? So, we're looking at 2025 and I'm optimistic that it's gonna come back.

'There is a real appetite for that show out there and it's just too good to let go of,' he said, before admitting that he always knew Sam Levinson's creation was going to be a 'special project' because the 'writing was spectacular.' 

Back in March, HBO confirmed a delay to season three, blaming the busy schedules of the cast, which includes Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya and Maude Apatow, for the hold-up.

Eric Dane has admitted he's feeling  'optimistic' about season three being filmed despite ongoing delays

The 51-year-old actor plays the role of Cal Jacobs in seasons one and two of the hit HBO series

 However, insiders claimed the real reason for the delay was Sam's frustration at HBO's request that he complete the scripts in full before they decide whether or not to greenlight production.

'A handful of things have stunted the third season and it's looking more and more likely that it will never happen,' an insider exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com.

'Even though HBO has announced a delay as opposed to a cancelation, so many things would have to fall into place that may never for the show to return. 

'But what is to blame? A handful of things. The cast and crew have been waiting through strikes, new scripts, the tragic death of Angus Cloud, and how that will change the story.'

They continued: 'HBO executives are also dragging their feet. Instead of greenlighting the third season once the strikes were over, they demanded all the scripts be completed in order for them to read through and decide whether or not to move forward, which frustrated Sam immensely.

'Sam's frustrations have made him move on to other projects, and not being able to finish the show on his terms has been upsetting.'

HBO's alleged decision to demand scripts are written in full before executives greenlight another season is believed to be a reaction to Sam's widely panned The Idol, which was canceled after one series.

'The crazy turnout of The Idol and the disaster that turned out to be started Sam's downturn,' the insider said. 'Then you add Angus dying and [producer] Kevin Turen dying, one of his biggest and best friends.' 

Last week, HBO confirmed season three has been delayed, with the busy schedules of the cast given as a reason for the hold-up - Zendaya pictured with costar Hunter Schafer 

Zendaya has won several awards, including an Emmy, for her role as queer teenage drug addict Rue Bennett

Euphoria creator Sam Levinson pictured with the show's main star Zendaya in April 2022

Euphoria was rocked by the death of 25-year-old Angus, who played Fezco, in July 2023 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs.

The heartbreak continued when producer Kevin died, aged 44, just five months later in December, from multiple heart issues.

The source explained that the delay was not great news for the lesser names associated with the project.

'Many people want to work and have refused work with the thought that Euphoria was coming back much sooner,' they said. 

'What is crazy is that the last episode filmed was December of 2021, which is nuts. People have been waiting years to get back on the show.'