Euphoria's Laurie and Rue scenes were meant to be even creepier
Euphoria is no stranger to a number of creepy or heart-wrenching scenes, particularly involving main character Rue (Zendaya) in the recently released season two.
However, it turns out that the HBO drama's plan for its second season was meant to be even worse than what we've already seen.
Martha Kelly, who plays the drug-dealing, middle-aged Laurie, spoke to Variety about the scenes between her character and Rue, and how it turned out to be something different than first imagined.
Related: Euphoria season 2 critics have got it all wrong
Kelly refers to the scene where Rue is getting into a tub and Laurie injects her with morphine but claims that the script was "even creepier" and left her "heartbroken".
"In the script, it is even creepier, because Laurie is helping her undress and get in the tub, and it is approaching this gross pedophilia vibe. Initially, I was like, 'I can't do this.' It's difficult to want to play a character that hurts kids," she said.
It turns out that Kelly spoke to showrunner, creator, writer, and executive producer Sam Levinson about the scene and expressed her discomfort, which he took on board.
"He was so lovely about it. I spoke with him and decided not to ask him to change anything, because I feel very strongly that I'm more of a comedian than an actor, so I would never tell a writer or a director if they could change something for me because I feel so lucky to have been invited in the first place," Kelly explained.
Related: Euphoria's Zendaya left physically scarred by brutal fight scene
Although Kelly did not want to "intrude" with what she terms her "self-centred discomfort", Levinson ultimately decided to shoot the scene differently.
Kelly said: "I was happy when Sam told me we were going to shoot the bathroom scene slightly out of focus, and that some stuff was altered because of that pause we took in filming due to the pandemic."
Meanwhile, Zendaya recently denied claims that the show glorifies drug use, saying that the show is designed to "help people feel a little bit less alone in their experience and their pain".
Euphoria airs Sunday nights on HBO and Monday nights on NOW and Sky Atlantic in the UK.
For more on drug addiction and dependency, including information and support, please visit FRANK or Action on Addiction.
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