Hollywood icon Sharon Stone dubs Euphoria as "the greatest show on television"

Euphoria, the hit TV show telling the story of a teenage drug addict, has been hailed the "the greatest show on television" by Hollywood icon Sharon Stone. The star, 68, said she thinks the show, created by Sam Levinson, should be “shown in every high school” as it is “so honest” and “relevant”.

Euphoria follows drug addict Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, and her high school friends, portrayed by actors including Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi. Stone, who shot to fame for her role in 1992 movie Basic Instinct, appeared in the latest series of the show, playing 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, Casino and Total Recall star Stone spoke about the teen drama, which aired its nail-biting series finale last weekend. "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," she said.

Stone has been outspoken about her brother Michael’s history with substance abuse, and added: "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.”

She also recounted her history with Levinson’s father, filmmaker Barry Levinson, as she discussed what drew her to the role in Euphoria. “I have history, because Sam Levinson, the writer, director and producer – I worked with Sam’s dad, Barry Levinson, who is a great director," Stone went on.

“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.”