Sharon Stone hails Euphoria as ‘greatest show on television’

By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter

Hollywood actress Sharon Stone has praised hit series Euphoria as “the greatest show on television”.

The award-winning actress, 68, added that she thinks the HBO show should be “shown in every high school” as it is “so honest” and “relevant”.

Euphoria, created by Sam Levinson, follows the life of teenage drug addict Rue Bennett (Zendaya) and her high school friends, played by stars including Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi.

Stone, known for starring in Basic Instinct (1992) and Casino (1995), featured in the latest series of the show as Hollywood executive Patty Lance who helps Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) navigate the showbiz industry.

Speaking to US actress and singer Keke Palmer on Variety’s Actors on Actors, Stone expressed her opinion of Sam Levinson’s popular teen drama – which aired its nail-biting series finale last weekend.

The Total Recall star said: “I think it’s the greatest show on television. We’ve met these kids. We’ve seen them turn into young adults. We’ve seen them turn into full-on drug dealers.

“And I’ve gone through it in my family.”

Stone, who has been outspoken about her brother Michael’s history with substance abuse, continued: “My brother went to the biggest prison in New York. He got in the drug business. It kept going.

“I was like, ‘You have to get out. You have to let me pay off your (loan)’. He was like: It doesn’t work like that. You can’t pay it off.”

Reflecting on her reaction to the show, she told Palmer: “When the first episode ended, I just sat there and cried.

“And then I read these reviews about how people wanted it to be this happy ending, and I’m like, ‘What you saw was so honest’.

“Euphoria is so relevant. I believe it should be shown in every high school, and I think all the parents should have to see it.

“As a mum, I love it.”

Stone also recounted her history with Levinson’s father, filmmaker Barry Levinson, as she discussed what drew her to the role in Euphoria.

She said: “I have history, because Sam Levinson, the writer, director and producer – I worked with Sam’s dad, Barry Levinson, who is a great director.

“He makes comedies, but very smart comedies.

“I did this movie called Sphere with him, which was an underwater movie where I was in a dive tank for five-and-a-half months.

“But it worked out for me, because I have a deep-sea rescue diving licence.”

The stars then discussed how difficult it is to navigate the film and TV industry, which Stone called “not easy”, adding: “It beats your body to a pulp, because you work unbelievable hours.

“That mind-body connection becomes immediately disrupted.”

Palmer agreed, and said: “The glitz and glam, it can be quite deceiving.”