Hunter Schafer, known for her breakthrough role in HBO’s Euphoria, recently opened up about the challenging experience of informing her devoutly religious parents about her role in the series. On the latest episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Schafer candidly discussed the difficulty of revealing her explicit scenes to her Presbyterian parents, who have a deep religious background.
Schafer, who was only 20 when she landed the role, had initially kept her involvement in the show under wraps. “I didn’t tell them that I was in the audition process because I wasn’t sure I’d get the part,” she explained. It wasn’t until she secured the role that she decided to inform her parents. This decision, she noted, left her parents without the opportunity to express their opinions beforehand.
Her parents, Mac and Katy Schafer, are both deeply embedded in their faith—her father is a pastor and her mother a youth minister. The news of her role in Euphoria, especially given the show’s explicit content, was difficult to convey. “When I had to tell my parents, ‘In the first episode I’m having anal sex with a 45-year-old and cutting myself in the arm,’” Schafer recalled, “I thought, ‘OK, they have to tell their congregation that their kid’s going to be on TV and see me in such explicit scenes.’”
Euphoria is known for tackling intense and often controversial subjects such as substance abuse, sexual assault, and self-harm. Schafer’s character, Jules, engages in explicit scenes that are central to the show’s exploration of complex issues. Despite the challenging conversation, Schafer noted that her parents’ primary concern was her well-being. “Even though they didn’t know a lot about it, I think they understand that the nature of this industry can be very intense, and they just didn’t want me to get messed up by it,” she said.
The actress also expressed a degree of jealousy toward peers whose families are more familiar with the entertainment industry. However, she acknowledged that her parents’ detachment from Hollywood’s realities allowed them to approach her career from a place of genuine concern.
Schafer’s experience resonates with other Euphoria cast members who have faced similar challenges. Sydney Sweeney, another star of the show, has also shared her own awkward family moments related to her roles.
Despite the initial discomfort, Schafer emphasized that her parents have been supportive, albeit with some reservations. “I do still feel bad because that’s something they have to deal with,” she admitted. As she prepares for the release of her upcoming film, Kinds of Kindness, Schafer remains excited about her work but acknowledges the potential for continued awkwardness with her family.
For Schafer, navigating the intersection of her career and her family’s values remains a balancing act, but her parents’ ongoing support highlights their commitment to understanding her journey, even if they do not always fully grasp the industry’s demands.
