Eric Dane will continue to film Euphoria after announcing his ALS diagnosis.
The actor, 52, shared the news that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an emotional statement via People on Thursday, April 10. In the statement Dane shared his plans to continue working on season 3 of the show when filming returns next week.
“I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,” Dane, who plays Cal Jacobs, said via the statement. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
The Grey’s Anatomy alum also shared his gratitude for his loved ones in the statement as he shared the health news. (Dane shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with wife Rebecca Gayheart.)
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“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” the statement read. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition, which is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It causes loss of muscle control and gets worse over time. There is no cure.
Euphoria has been on a lengthy hiatus since season two wrapped back in February 2022. HBO renewed the series for a third season the same month but did not offer up a premiere date.
Although the show was estimated to return in late 2023 or early 2024, Euphoria faced lengthy delays due to the dual WGA and SAG strikes. Following the deaths of cast member Angus Cloud and executive producer Kevin Turen as well as several of the actors involved in the show taking on other roles, fans began to lose faith that it would ever return.
“HBO and [creator] Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” a spokesperson for the network insisted to Us Weekly in March 2024. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”
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Despite concerns, Euphoria is now back in production and the new season is anticipated to drop sometime in 2026.
Dane previously opened up about his character and how he could relate somewhat to some of the inner turmoil he faced on-screen.
“Cal is living this double life, holding up this facade of having everything on the outside, controlled and pristine, while everything on the inside is a battle of epic proportions,” Dane told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2022. “I’ve had struggles in my past that invited me to lead that life of secrecy. I accepted the invitation wholeheartedly. … While the circumstances specifically might not be the same, the feelings certainly are.”
