JiveDash

Euphoria star Hunter Schafer has shared an emotional message about her experience with depression, revealing that working on the HBO hit was her "lifeline" during the darkest moments.

Speaking to i-D magazine, the 23-year-old opened up about the bond she's built with her character, noting that being able to write a special episode for Jules helped get her through the "worst depression" she's ever experienced.

"I feel like it really just gave us room to go deeper into her mind and her subconscious and her headspace," Hunter said of the episode, which was one of two that bridged the gap between the first and second season. In the first special episode, we watched Rue (played by Zendaya) take a deep-dive into her mental health with her sponsor, Ali. The second episode focussed in on Jules and a conversation with her therapist – giving viewers an insight into her character that we hadn't yet seen.

Speaking about the importance of the episode, the 23-year-old explained how the timing couldn't have been better, given that she'd not long come out of a bout of depression. "I was in a very f**king raw place, you know, it was the summer of 2020," she recalled. "Probably coming out of the worst depression I've ever had, and needing somewhere to put all of that energy. When I say that episode really became a lifeline, I mean it."

As for what she set out to achieve through the episode, she said: "Half of what Jules is talking about in that episode is rooted in the actual situation she’s in with Rue, being really discontent in East Highland, and having just endured a crazy-ass semester. The other half is just a 17-year-old trans girl, still figuring out who she is, and debating queerness within her head – what that means for her as a trans person. All of these new new parts of herself that she’s still uncovering, all intersect and create one big mess that she’s trying to untangle, or find some sense within."

In her interview, Hunter reveals she called upon her own experiences to help write the episode, which is something she was keen to raise awareness of on TV. "This is a really good opportunity to put some sh*t on TV that has not been on TV as far as like, what's actually going on in young trans people's heads beyond: 'Oh, I'm scared what people are gonna think because I'm trans'," she said. "Like, real, spiritual, philosophical… 'Who am I? What does this all mean?'"

If you're struggling with your mental health and need some support, find more information at Mind. Alternatively, call the Samaritans helpline 24/7 for free, on 116 123.

Related Stories

Jade Biggs (she/her) is Cosmopolitan UK's Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. She also works on first-person features and investigative long-reads, taking a deep-dive into mental health, celebrity culture and women's rights. Jade has been a journalist and content writer for ten years, and has interviewed leading researchers and doctors, high-profile influencers and fitness experts. She is a cat mum to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter. 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLvSpqapp5yewaK6jZympmeloHyju8OyZqGdkaHBqXvAbHBraGBpfXN7x66lrZ2iYsCktMCfnKtllaq9qbvRophmpJmbsq21zZ5knZ2gp7K0v8iopWg%3D