编者按:这个故事包含的破坏者from the season two finale of “Euphoria.”

“The first time being recognized by a fan, it was like, ‘Hey, are you from ‘Euphoria’? And I said, ‘uh, no, I am from Oakland, but I was in the show, yeah.’ ” Angus Cloud said in a now-viral clip from a recent interview with Rolling Stone,garnering more than 17 million views and 3 million likes on TikTok alone.

The hit drama series has becomeHBO’s second-most-watched showof recent years, behind only “Game of Thrones,” and it has taken the internet by storm since its debut in 2019. That momentum only intensified with the show’s return in 2022, generating memes, social media reactions and tension as every week led up to a game-changing season finale on Sunday, Feb. 27.

Although“Euphoria”centers on the lives of teenagers, viewers across the board can find themselves through the range of characters and story lines, making it far more layered than other teen dramas about drug abuse, depression and sex that have preceded it. The show forces audiences to reflect on redemption and how challenging it can be to achieve it.

The show, set in a nameless California suburb, has a Bay Area-stacked cast – Eric Dane (Cal) hails from San Francisco, and the show’s viral sensations, Zendaya (Rue) and Angus Cloud (Fezco), are Oakland natives.

But Cloud’s Fezco was never meant to make it through either season one orseason two.

Perhaps his survival is linked to Fezco’s impact on the show’s viewers. The drug dealer, hiding a sensitive and caring heart underneath a tough facade, continues to make an impression: from when he refused Rue entry into his apartment to pick up more drugs, leaving her screaming and banging on the iron gates of his home as she blamed him for her substance abuse in season one, to his recent innocent love connection with bystander and now controversial playwright Lexi (Maude Apatow) in season two. Fez was a soundboard for Lexi’s polarizing play, which he was adamant to attend. Yet, as the play brought chaos across the entire auditorium, his saved seat stayed empty. Fez, suited up with flowers and a note to Lexi in hand, unknowingly had other plans.

The recent finale gutted audiences and Fez fans alike, as his younger brother and business partner Ashtray (Javon “Wanna” Walton) was seemingly killed during a tense shootout with SWAT members raiding their apartment. This time, it was Fez’s harrowing cries for his brother that echoed their home in vain before he was taken away in handcuffs, leaving behind Fez’s unread letter to Lexi.

Season two wrapped with the smoke of unanswered questions looming in the air, grounding Cloud’s character as a moral compass caught in between complex circumstances, once again positioning himself far from what was originally written.

Yet Fez’s story would not thrive in such a charismatic way without the actor behind him, and how he chooses to show up offscreen — authentically as himself, authentically as a proud Oakland native.

Speaking with The Chronicle in a recent video chat, Cloud spoke tenderly of his hometown and of always being ready for what’s ahead of him, in his career and otherwise. The Oakland School for the Arts alum, whogrew up by Lake Merritt, doesn’t shy away from making noise to honor his roots, whether that’s throughBay Area linkups at New York Fashion Weekor in his now viral Rolling Stone interview. The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: What sense of emotion did you feel after filming, or even watching, the shootout scene?

A:Filming it was f—ing intense, it was crazy. Watching it was beautiful, really, to see it all come together, it was f—ing emotional.

Q: When asked in previous interviews about your hopes for Fez, you left it up to Sam, but, I must ask, are you nervous for what’s next?

A:No, I am just going with it. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just along for the ride.

Q: What do you think Lexi is thinking right now?

A:I imagine that she’s bummed out. I don’t want to say heartbroken, but you know when your crush doesn’t like you back? She is a little bit hurt, at the same time probably understands that something important (came up) that he had to handle, whatever the case may be.

Q: “Euphoria” takes place in a California suburb; do you think kids growing up in the Bay Area relate to the show?

A:我认为孩子能找到地方show to relate to, and kids in the Bay definitely.

Q: What was growing up in Oakland like for you?

A:I love Oakland. Growing up in Oakland was the best, it’s a beautiful place to be. Everyone in Oakland is proud to be from there. When I see people anywhere, like in New York, if I see someone from Oakland, it’s love. Automatically.

Even if you’re just from the Bay, we are already family-type vibes.

Q: Who are some of your favorite Bay Area artists?

A:Man, my favorite artist is the Jacka, RIP to him. I listen toJay Stonea little bit,D.B. Tha General,Mistah F.A.B.,Keak Da Sneak,Mac Dre, Johnny Ca$h. That’s what I have on rotation.

Q: Do you have any advice for Oakland youths trying to break into the industry?

A:Follow your dreams, they gonna lead you somewhere. That’s a quote I made up, you feel me?

Q: If Fez took Lexi out on a date in Oakland, where would he take her?

A:I would take her over to Jack London, a little classy Scott’s (Seafood Grill & Bar) dinner, go down to the water, see the city’s lights.

Q: If someone hit you up, saying that they’re visiting the Bay Area, what are your top food spots you’d recommend them to go to?

A:Lucky Three Seven… my brother is about to open a steak restaurant, so I would recommend them to go there, it’s going to be right next to Oakland. I am trying to think of one last spot, maybe go by the lake, they gotVegan Mob.

“Euphoria”(TV-MA) is available to stream onHBO Max.