“It feels amazing to be back.
I love being on set.
I love working with these people,” says the actor, on the phone with EW.
Eric Dane plays Cal Jacobs on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.'.HBO
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Is there anything you were hoping to see for Cal going into season 2?
ERIC DANE:I did want to get into Cal’s backstory.
I knew that was eventually gonna come.
Elias Kacavas and Henry Eikenberry play a young Cal Jacobs and his friend Derek in ‘Euphoria’ season 2, episode 3.HBO
I’m happy it came this season.
I’ve been very happy with the material that I’ve been given and I love this character.
I’m playing with extraordinary young actors and amazing material on a fearless internet.
Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.'.HBO
That said, I’ve been tickled with all this great material I’ve gotten this year.
The actor you worked with for that brief scene that broke the internet tweeted about the experience.
That was my first shot of season two.
Eric Dane and Jacob Elordi on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.'.HBO
It’s nice to have that buffer.
We had a good laugh about it, which was nice.
For me, the golden life is in the ability to stay vulnerable.
And as an artist, you want to grow, and you want to experience different things.
But [Euphoria] just seemed like such a good fit for me [Laughs].
I don’t know, I love this character.
I feel like I have a good grip on who this guy is.
Is there anything about Cal that you push back on?
I don’t push back on anything.
It’s not my job to push back on anything.
Put as many obstacles as you want in front of me.
It’s just an opportunity for growth.
When were you clued in on Cal’s backstory?
Was that at all something you knew about during season 1?
I figured we would eventually get to it because that’s what we do with all the characters.
Were you expecting it to be so sweet?
Everybody starts out sweet at some point in their life, right?
But I thought that the way they handled it was pretty deft.
I love the actor that played young Cal.
He was just fantastic.
He’s been living a lie his entire life.
And you’re free to look at the father and how rigid and unloving the father was.
Do you think we’ll ever see Derek again?
Who would you want to see play the grown version of him?
I never thought of that.
That would be interesting.
The grown version of Derek would have to be like [Pause] Can we getBrad Pittto do this?
Let’s throw an offer out there and see if he bites.
Do you think the episode implies that Cal and Derek went their separate ways after that?
Or do you think they still keep in touch?
No, I think they went their separate ways.
Do you think Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cal really hate each other?
They do seem to have each other’s backs, even if it’s like a messed-up situation.
I think they really do love each other.
They love the potential of what they could be and not the actuality of what’s going on.
I’m his father, he’s my son.
And all I want is for my son to be happy.
And I see how conflicted my son is.
I’m sure it tears him up.
Why won’t Cal leave these kids alone?
Is it hubris, thinking he can threaten people like Fezco (Angus Cloud)?
He’s trying to protect himself.
He’s just trying to not go to jail.
But Cal’s never looking to get lawless.
He’s looking to indulge his natural instincts and figure out where his place in the world is.
He’s an athlete.
This guy’s like a young professional athlete.
He’s a boxer.
I told him at the beginning, “Dude, I trust you.
Don’t let anything I do deter you from leaning into this one,” and he was fantastic.
He’s a sweet kid.
And he learns that pretty quick.
And they know nothing about my relationship with Jules.
They actually know more about what’s going on with Nate and Jules than I did.
So I’m utterly dumbfounded and confused by the whole thing.
And then he finds out that his son is the one that’s really in love with Jules.
The whole thing was just like, “Oh my God, this is a clusterf—.”
It’s good that he finally knew the best thing was to just walk away.
“You guys mind if I just leave?
I don’t think I’m needed here anymore.”
Why do you think Cal doesn’t suspect Maddy (Alexa Demie) has the tape?
She was over the Jacobs house all the time.
Is it an out of sight, out of mind thing?
Yeah, I don’t know.
She’s not a part of it, thankfully.
Would you want to see Cal and Maddy interact again?
I feel like we only got that one great scene of her telling you all off.
Yeah, whatever fits into the story.
I love working with all these people.
As far as how that fits into the grander scheme, I don’t know.
I’ll do whatever.
I just show up and do what’s in front of me.
But Alexa’s fantastic.
That was a fun scene and she’s so great.
I don’t know, man.
I think he’s just completely blindsided by that, but jealousy is an interesting take.
Finally, what can you tease about what’s next for Cal?
That’s really all I can say about that, I guess.
