Jacob Elordi is heading into one of the biggest phases of his career yet. After gaining worldwide recognition through Netflix’s The Kissing Booth films and later establishing himself as a compelling dramatic actor in HBO’s Euphoria, Elordi has steadily moved toward more ambitious and diverse roles. The Australian actor has been carefully selecting projects that push him into darker, more complex characters, and 2026 is shaping up to be a major year that reflects that evolution. With a combination of television returns and high-profile film projects from respected filmmakers, Elordi’s upcoming slate suggests he is transitioning from heartthrob status into one of Hollywood’s most intriguing young actors.
One of the most anticipated projects still ahead for Elordi in 2026 is Euphoria Season 3. The HBO drama will see him return as Nate Jacobs, one of the show’s most controversial and psychologically complex characters. The previous season ended with major shifts in Nate’s storyline, including his decision to turn in his father for crimes related to illegal recordings. Season 3 is expected to introduce a time jump that moves the characters beyond high school, allowing the story to explore how their lives and personalities evolve as they grow older. This change is expected to present a more mature version of Nate, potentially examining whether the character can move beyond the toxic behaviors that defined him in earlier seasons.
Another major project on Elordi’s slate is The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Ridley Scott. The film is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name and tells the story of Hig, a civilian pilot surviving in a world devastated by a deadly pandemic that wiped out most of humanity. Living on an abandoned airbase with his dog and an ex-Marine companion, Hig struggles with isolation while searching for signs that civilization might still exist somewhere beyond the ruins of society. The role is expected to showcase Elordi in a much more physically demanding and emotionally layered performance compared with his previous work.
Elordi is also attached to Outer Dark, an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s haunting 1968 novel. The film will mark the English-language debut of acclaimed Hungarian director László Nemes, known for his intense and atmospheric filmmaking style. The story follows a young woman searching for the infant her brother abandoned, unaware that he lied about the child’s fate. As the siblings move separately through the rural American South during the Great Depression, they are stalked by mysterious figures who leave destruction in their wake. Elordi will star opposite Lily-Rose Depp, and the project is already drawing attention as one of the most anticipated literary adaptations currently in development.
Together, these projects reveal a clear direction in Elordi’s career choices. Rather than remaining in the realm of teen dramas or romantic roles, he is increasingly stepping into darker narratives and collaborations with respected filmmakers. The combination of a major television return and ambitious film roles suggests that 2026 could be a defining year that further solidifies his reputation as a serious dramatic actor.