Jules Vaughn is one of the main characters in HBO’s hit series Euphoria (2019–). Played by Hunter Schafer, Jules is a transgender girl who moves to the town of East Highland, California, at the start of the series.
Jules is eclectic, free-spirited, and deeply kind. Since the age of seven, she has struggled with depression, anxiety, and self-harm, largely stemming from gender dysphoria. Her mother involuntarily committed her to a psychiatric hospital at age 11. This incident further strained their tense relationship — exacerbated by her mother’s alcohol and drug abuse — leaving Jules permanently distrustful of her.
Jules began her transition at 13 and started exploring her sexuality with men she met online at 16. After her mother’s addiction worsened and she entered rehab, Jules’ father quit his job to support her full-time during her transition. From then on, they develop a strong, loving bond.
Upon arriving in East Highland, Jules meets Rue Bennett before the first day of school, and they quickly become inseparable. In Season 1, she also falls for a mysterious guy on a dating app — later revealed to be Nate Jacobs, who catfished her and attempted to blackmail her. Jules initially resists pursuing more than friendship with Rue due to Rue’s addiction and her fear of commitment, but their relationship eventually blossoms into romance. Rue tries to stay sober largely for Jules, who becomes a cornerstone of her recovery. In Season 2, Jules becomes involved with Elliot, leading to her heartbreaking infidelity toward Rue.
While Jules’s story isn’t yet complete, her character arc reflects some harmful bisexual stereotypes — like struggles with commitment and fidelity. Yet she also stands as a groundbreaking, fully realized transgender and bisexual protagonist in a massively popular series, beloved by fans. She’s also a mirror of sorts, demonstrating how even a problematic bi character does not have to repress their identity, in contrast with Cal Jacobs, who hides his identity from the world. This representation itself helps normalize the inclusion of multidimensional bi characters — in all their colors and forms — in film and television
You can find an entry about this show in our Bi Media section.