The main characters aren't the only ones who leave a lasting impact on viewers...
Editor's note: this post contains various spoilers for the second season of HBO's Euphoria.
HBO's popular teen drama series Euphoria is known for its chaotic, messy main characters, but you shouldn't be sleeping on the many side characters that the show has to offer too. In fact, some of the less-seen players, especially in the highly-anticipated second season, have some of the entire series' most memorable moments and performances that deserve their own praise!
From best to worst, here's how we'd rank some of the side characters (new and old) that we've seen in Euphoria season 2:
10. Young Cal
Before he became a despicable father and one of the more hated TV characters in recent history, the younger version of Cal Jacobs (played by Elias Kacavas) was just a regular teenage boy living in the suburbs doing regular teenage boy things, like partying with his peers, participating in sports, and spending nearly all of his waking time with his best friend Derek. In episode 3 of season 2 of Euphoria, we learn the tragic backstory of this character -- one that too many queer men who grew up in less accepting times can relate to -- and how he was forced to live his life in the closet, ultimately affecting his family and those around him.
While his backstory was sad, Cal did end up becoming a veritable demon, so I can't, in good conscience, rank him higher on this list than at the bottom!
9. Custer
Have you always had a weird feeling about Mouse's former right-hand man Custer (played by Tyler Chase)? Welp, you have every right to be! Episode 6 of season 2 confirmed that he is, in fact, a snitch, and NOT to be trusted. Leave Fez and Ashtray alone, sir!
Custer's only redeeming quality seems to be that he is very much in love with Euphoria's resident season 2 scene-stealer Faye.
8. Young Derek
After seeing their friendship bloom but eventually burn out in the third episode, we're definitely curious to see what exactly became of Young Derek (played by Henry Eikenberry) after he and Cal parted ways and lost touch with each other. Was he able to come out in college, live authentically, and find some love in his life? Or did he suffer the same fate as Cal and was forced to endure a closeted existence while still pining for this best friend??
We need answers and we need them now!
7. BB
Better known to the internet as Vape Girl, Barbara "BB" Brookes (played by Sophia Rose Wilson) is only seen a handful of time in both seasons of Euphoria so far, and while there's not much to her character, she does offer some comic relief and is always putting out good, mellow vibes whenever we see her hanging out with the chaotic group girlies. I'd be interested in seeing an episode dedicated to a day in her life.
6. Samantha
Played by Titans and Friday Night Lights alum Minka Kelly (who seriously hasn't aged a single day since her time walking the halls of East Dillon High), Samantha employs Maddy as a babysitter for her son Sebastian. Like a lot of other side characters this season, we haven't seen much from her, but from the looks of what we have seen, she's just living her absolute best life in a beautiful house in the hills. Aside from the fact she admitted she broke up her friendship with her college bestie by sleeping with her boyfriend, Samantha literally has everything anyone could ever want, and it's apparent Maddy idolizes her. We need to see more of Samantha soon, and hopefully, that means taking Maddy under her wing (since, you know, Maddy already tries on all of Samantha's clothes).
5. Suze Howard
Cassie and Lexi's alcoholic mother Suze (played by Alanna Ubach) is a more realistic depiction of what a "cool mom" would be IRL than what other movies and TV shows portray, and although she makes some questionable parenting choices (why are you letting a grown-ass man like Cal Jacobs verbally intimiadte your own daughters in your own home??), we'd be lying if we said we wouldn't want to party with her. (Also, please don't bother this woman when she's trying to watch one hour of Millionaire Match Maker in peace!)
4. Ashtray
They may not technically be related, but Fez's adoptive little brother Ashtray (played by Javon "Wanna" Walton) is proof that love and loyalty go beyond blood. Ash would do anything to have Fez's back (and beat anyone's ass in the process), making him the true definition of a ride-of-die! More people like Ashtray in our lives, pretty please.
3. Faye
Faye may not appear to be the smartest of the bunch most of the time, but she is a scene-stealer! Played by adult actress Chloe Cherry (who landed the role after starring in an x-rated Euphoria spoof), Faye, who inadvertently became Fez's and Ash's third roomie, is hilariously clueless and completely out of it most of the time she's on screen, and she has become a beloved, sleeper favorite for many when it comes to Euphoria's many side characters. We have to stan!
2. Laurie
Played by comedian Martha Kelly, school teacher turned drug dealer Laurie is absolutely terrifying to watch (the lack of emotion in her voice only adds to her creepiness), and although we still don't know much about her -- and what she plans to do to Rue -- we do know that she is the absolute most perfect and captivating villain of this season, and our eyes are glued to our screens every single time there's a scene with her in it. We don't know what she's going to say or do next, or whether she's happy or furious, and that's why she's one of the better side characters in Euphoria.
1. Fez's Grandma
She's an icon. She's a legend. And she IS the moment.
The tough-as-nails, drug-dealing grandmother (played by Soprano's alum Kathrine Narducci) who taught Fez and Ashtray everything they know opened up season 2 of Euphoria guns a blazing (literally), and I haven't been able to stop thinking about her ever since. Does she deserve her own show? Yes. Would I watch every second of it? Absolutely.
