Colman Domingo Discusses Ali’s Journey Beyond the Diner in ‘Euphoria’

Colman Domingo is stepping into the spotlight in season three of ‘Euphoria’, and he believes it was essential for his character Ali to move past the familiar diner conversations that fans have come to expect.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter after episode seven of the HBO series, Domingo shared insights about Ali’s emotional return and the necessity of delving into a darker aspect of his character before the season finale next week.

Throughout much of the season, Ali has had limited appearances. However, the latest episode, titled “Rain or Shine,” offered viewers a more profound exploration of his past. Flashbacks depicted Ali grappling with addiction in earlier years, alongside anger issues and family troubles. The episode unveiled moments of drug use, infidelity, and the impact of his frustrations on his family.

Domingo noted that series creator Sam Levinson always intended to gradually reveal Ali’s backstory rather than disclosing everything too soon.

“This season was a great opportunity to really go into Ali’s backstory, to give you more context and understanding who he is and why he’s doing what he’s doing,” Domingo explained during the interview.

The actor expressed his enthusiasm for finally presenting a different side of Ali, moving beyond just offering advice to Rue during their lengthy diner discussions.

“I knew for sure that I was hoping that Ali wouldn’t just be in a diner sounding like a bumper sticker,” Domingo remarked. “We already did that.”

He emphasized that the new storyline allows audiences to grasp how Ali’s pain, guilt, and past mistakes influence his attempts to assist Rue today. In the current timeline, Ali learns that Rue, portrayed by Zendaya, is entangled with dangerous drug gangs while also serving as a DEA informant. Despite his concerns for her safety, Ali chooses to support her.

Domingo shared that Ali’s relationship with Rue has evolved significantly over the years. He no longer views their bond as merely a mentorship.

“Instead of big brother-little sister, this felt more like surrogate father-daughter,” he stated.

The actor praised Zendaya as one of his favorite scene partners. According to Domingo, they often skip extensive rehearsals, relying instead on instinct and emotion during their performances.

“We just strap in. We’ve done our own work and we show up and we listen and respond to each other,” he noted.

A surprising element of the episode featured Natasha Lyonne, who portrayed Ali’s fellow addict in flashbacks. Domingo revealed that Lyonne had long wanted to join ‘Euphoria’ and had personally expressed her desire to work with him on the show.

He mentioned that their scenes felt authentic, as Lyonne has openly discussed her own struggles with addiction.

“There’s an authenticity in the room, so therefore I can’t fake it or lie,” Domingo expressed. “I feel like that’s what Natasha offered me.”

He added that many of their scenes were even more intense during filming, though several moments were edited out before the episode aired.

As the season approaches its finale, Domingo hinted that Ali’s narrative is far from complete. He teased that the final episode will astonish viewers and weave together storylines that have been developing over several seasons.

“It’s going to smack people in the face,” Domingo warned. “You don’t see it coming, but the groundwork has been laid.”

During the discussion, Domingo also reflected on the emotional tone of season three and how grief has significantly influenced the series behind the scenes. He noted that several losses during production impacted Levinson’s creative direction, steering the story into darker themes.

“We kept losing people,” Domingo stated. “Knowing that we’re always losing people as we move forward, the idea of someone like Ali carrying hope and faith in people became very important.”

Domingo also defended the HBO drama against critiques that it focuses excessively on shocking moments. He believes the series fundamentally addresses addiction, emotional pain, and the human need for connection.

“It’s about all of us,” he explained. “We think it’s just about addicts in the beginning but it’s not. It’s really about: What are we all addicted to? What do we want? What do we need?”

With only one episode remaining this season, Domingo’s remarks have heightened anticipation among fans eager to see how Ali’s journey and Rue’s perilous situation will ultimately unfold.

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