S1
E2
E2
Stuntin' Like My Daddy
Nate's backstory is revealed, including the childhood trauma of discovering his father's secret recordings.
Nate Jacobs
82
Character Arc
Nate Jacobs is the golden boy of East Highland — star athlete, conventionally handsome, from a wealthy family — and one of the most terrifying antagonists in recent television. Beneath his polished surface lies a volatile young man warped by toxic masculinity, repressed sexuality, and the traumatic discovery of his father Cal's secret sexual encounters, which Nate stumbled upon as a child.
Nate's need for control manifests in every relationship he enters. His on-again, off-again relationship with Maddy Perez is marked by jealousy and emotional abuse. His catfishing of Jules Vaughn reveals a conflicted inner life he refuses to acknowledge. His interactions with Cassie Howard in Season 2 demonstrate how he weaponizes affection as another form of manipulation.
What makes Nate compelling rather than merely villainous is the show's willingness to explore the root causes of his behavior. The fantasized sequences revealing his internal life — his obsession with masculinity, his confusion about his own sexuality, his relationship with his father — suggest a person who might have been different under different circumstances.
Nevertheless, Nate consistently chooses cruelty. His decision to turn his own father in to the police in the Season 2 finale is framed not as justice but as the ultimate power move — Nate removing the one person who had power over him, regardless of the collateral damage.
Key Episodes
S1
E6
E6
The Next Episode
Nate confronts and threatens Maddy at the carnival after jealousy consumes him.
S2
E6
E6
Trying to Get to Heaven Before They Close the Door
Nate manipulates Cassie while simultaneously planning to take down his father Cal.
S2
E8
E8
All My Life, My Heart Has Yearned for a Thing I Cannot Name
Nate turns Cal in to the police with evidence of his crimes, asserting dominance over his father once and for all.
Fan Ecosystem
Twitter/X
Videos & Content
Nate Jacobs - The Making of a Monster
Nate and Cassie - A Toxic Love Story
Fan Heat Index Breakdown
Engagement
84
Social Activity
85
Meme Velocity
88
Fan Art Density
72
Fandom Longevity
76
Memorable Quotes
"I'm a good person."
— Nate Jacobs, Season 1 - said with varying degrees of self-awareness
"You don't know me."
— Nate Jacobs, Season 1 - various
"I just want things to be simple."
— Nate Jacobs, Season 2 - various
Trivia & Fun Facts
- Jacob Elordi reportedly found it challenging to play such a deeply unlikeable character and used the discomfort to fuel his performance.
- Nate's character was written as an exploration of toxic masculinity and its roots in family dysfunction.
- Jacob Elordi's towering 6'5" frame was used deliberately to make Nate physically intimidating in scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jacob Elordi plays Nate Jacobs in Euphoria. Elordi, previously known for The Kissing Booth franchise, earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of the volatile, complex antagonist.
Nate catfishes Jules online using the alias "Tyler" initially to gather information he can use against her, since she witnessed his father Cal's encounter at the motel. However, the genuine emotional connection that develops suggests Nate's motivations are more complicated, tied to his repressed sexuality and confused identity.
Nate Jacobs functions as the primary antagonist of Euphoria, though the show presents him as a product of trauma and toxic masculinity rather than a simple villain. His abusive behavior toward Maddy, manipulation of Cassie, and threatening of Jules make him the show's most dangerous character.
Nate has a deeply damaged relationship with his father Cal Jacobs. As a child, Nate discovered Cal's hidden recordings of sexual encounters with young men and women, which profoundly traumatized him and shaped his views on masculinity and sexuality.