'Bridge episodes’ of Euphoria ahead of season 2 on the way

Last year’s breakout series Euphoria is one of many productions halted due to coronavirus, but we will see new episodes sooner than expected.

It caused significant controversy when it first aired last year, but despite the backlash, Euphoria was one of the biggest breakout series of 2019.

The teen drama was immediately commissioned for a second season however was put on ice due to the coronavirus pandemic. But in some welcomed news fans don't have to wait too long for fresh episodes, with two "bridge episodes" coming to Binge from December 7.

HBO hasn't released a whole lot of information just yet but its central star Zendaya teased back in August the special episodes weren't apart of season two.

The first season, which is streaming on Binge, startled viewers with its extremely graphic content when it aired, particularly given it is centred around youth.

In one of the episodes, close to 30 penises flash onscreen. In the opening episode, one character “commits statutory rape with a 17-year-old trans girl” and the lead character overdoses on drugs.

Then there was an explicit fan-fiction sex scene featuring One Direction stars Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, which infuriated fans of the boy band.

RELATED: Joey King spills on filming Kissing Booth 2 scenes with ex Jacob Elordi

Hunter Schafer and Zendaya in a scene from Euphoria.

In fact, the content was considered so disturbing that actor Brian “Astro” Bradley, 22, who shot scenes in the pilot episode, reportedly quit the series as a result.

Regardless, the show, which stars Zendaya as recovering drug addict Rue Bennett (for which she won an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama this year), was a commercial success, with its episodes averaging 5.6 million viewers across all platforms in the US.

New to Binge? Get a two-week free trial. Sign up at binge.com.au

Zendaya plays Rue, a recovering drug addict.

“There is an idea to do a couple of bridge episodes that can be shot safely but aren’t necessarily part of Season 2,” Zendaya told Teen Vogue. “So, hopefully, we will be able to do those in the coming months. I can’t wait.”

The 23-year-old added there was “a beautiful second season that has been written, but in order to do it the way we want to do it, we need to wait until it’s safer.”

Zendaya has been nominated for an Emmy for her work in Euphoria. Picture: Jean-Baptiste Lacroix/AFP

Created by Sam Levinson, Euphoria follows a group of high school students “as they navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma and social media,” per the show’s official plot.

Following the debut episode in June last year, Parents Television Council president Tim Winter warned in a press release that “HBO, with its new high school centred show Euphoria, appears to be overtly, intentionally, marketing extremely graphic adult content – sex, violence, profanity and drug use – to teens and preteens.”

However, Zendaya took to Twitter to remind her followers the show was for “mature audiences”.

pic.twitter.com/RVxXzjk2vC

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 16, 2019

Binge executive director Alison Hurbert-Burns said Euphoria was one of the most popular shows on its streaming service.

“Euphoria is one of the biggest hits of the year and has established a huge cult following here in Australia. It’s consistently one of the most popular titles on BINGE," she said.

“Brought to life with exceptional performances, including from Emmy-award winner Zendaya, Euphoria is compelling viewing and we can’t wait to provide fans with these special episodes before what’s set to be a captivating Season 2.”