Martha Kelly, who plays the scary drug dealer Laurie in HBO’s Euphoria, talks about her complicated relationship with Zendaya’s Rue in the third season, which was full of drama. The show is now in production with a five-year time jump. It starts with Rue deep in debt to Laurie and running away to Mexico, where she gets involved in risky schemes like smuggling drugs across the border.
Kelly says that this season, Laurie has a “very different vibe” and shows more depth than the scary facade she had in Season 2. She makes Laurie seem like someone who thinks she cares about Rue because they both have problems, but she can’t really understand her, which adds psychological depth to their tense relationship.
Kelly talks about how much fans love to hate Laurie in recent interviews, especially after she threatened and hinted at doing bad things to the weak Rue.
Rue is working off a huge $43 million debt (plus interest) at a smoke shop and other shady places like the Silver Slipper strip club in Season 3. Laurie is in charge of all of this. In this gritty world after high school, addiction, crime, and survival all come together in this evolution that raises the stakes.
Kelly was hesitant to play Laurie at first because the character had predatory undertones, like taking off Rue’s clothes when she was vulnerable, and she was afraid of getting in trouble as a comedian. But she loved the part and gave great performances that got loud applause on set for their raw power. Fans who want to see Rue’s crazy journey will be happy to know that Euphoria Season 3 will have more surprises.
