‘Michael’ star Colman Domingo hails Sam Levinson’s work on HBO’s ‘Euphoria’

Colman Domingo has spoken highly of filmmaker Sam Levinson, praising him as “one of the greatest showrunners” of the modern era while reflecting on the global impact of their hit HBO series Euphoria.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who appears in the upcoming film Michael and portrays recovering addict Ali in the acclaimed series, credited Levinson’s creative vision for shaping the show’s cultural success.

Speaking to Bustle, Domingo said he always recognized the project as something special, even if he did not anticipate its massive global reach.

“I didn’t know that it would smash the zeitgeist like it has, but I did know that it was something special,” he said. “Sam Levinson is one of the greatest showrunners, creators, directors I think that we have.”

Domingo described Levinson as highly collaborative and inventive, adding that the writing process gave him material rarely offered in his career.

“He’s so inventive and collaborative and he really has given us material that I think that we would rarely get,” he said.

The actor also revealed that his character, Ali — the sponsor to Zendaya’s Rue — was written specifically for him by Levinson, something he said came at a pivotal point in his career.

“He knew what I could do and he knew that I could deliver, but I hadn’t been getting work like that for a long time,” Domingo explained.

Beyond the creative experience, Domingo also reflected on the emotional and professional pressures of working on a series that tackles addiction, trauma, and identity. 

He noted that while his own experience helped him navigate the material, younger cast members have sometimes found the intensity challenging.

“I’m a bit more seasoned in my years and experience, so I know how to distill it and put up boundaries,” he said, adding that some younger actors have had to adjust to the demands of the industry.

He also pointed to the pressures faced by former child stars and rising talent in Hollywood, noting how success can bring both opportunity and scrutiny.

“The world wants a lot of you,” Domingo said. “And the more successful you are, I think it is also an opportunity to try to tear you down.”