Honestly, if you’re like most people, you probably first saw Henry Eikenberry in a haze of glitter and 1980s neon. Most of us remember him as Derek from Euphoria—the guy who shared that heavy, wordless connection with a young Cal Jacobs. It was one of those performances that felt huge even though he was only on screen for a few minutes. Since then, fans have been scouring the internet for Henry Eikenberry movies and tv shows to see if he's actually the next big thing or just a flash in the pan.
He's not a flash in the pan. Far from it.
That One Euphoria Scene Changed Everything
Let's talk about Derek for a second. In Euphoria Season 2, Episode 3, we get this flashback to the 70s and 80s. Henry plays the teenage version of Derek, the best friend of Cal Jacobs (played by Elias Kacavas in the flashback and Eric Dane as an adult). The chemistry was so palpable that people are still arguing on Reddit about whether Derek might show up in Season 3 as an adult.
It was a breakout moment. Eikenberry had this sort of young Brad Pitt vibe—messy hair, athletic build, and a way of looking at the camera that made you feel like you were intruding on a private moment. The scene at the gay bar, dancing to INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart," basically cemented his status as a "one to watch."
The Transition to Prestige TV
After the HBO hype, he didn't just sit around. He landed a spot in the Apple TV+ miniseries The Crowded Room in 2023. If you missed it, it’s a psychological thriller starring Tom Holland as Danny Sullivan, a man arrested after a shooting in New York.
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Eikenberry plays Doug. He’s part of the ensemble that populates Danny’s world, and while he isn't the lead, he holds his own next to heavy hitters like Amanda Seyfried and Jason Isaacs. It’s a dark, twisty show. If you haven't seen it, it's worth a binge just to see how he handles a more grounded, gritty tone compared to the stylized world of Euphoria.
Moving into Movies and Modern Horror
Recently, Henry has been branching out into film. In 2024, he popped up in Lisa Frankenstein, directed by Zelda Williams and written by the legendary Diablo Cody. He plays Michael Trent.
It’s a weird, campy, 1989-set horror comedy. He basically plays the high school heartthrob—the kind of guy who looks like he stepped off a Sears catalog page but might have a bit of a mean streak. It’s a total vibe shift. It shows he can do comedy, even if it’s the dark, "dead girl" kind of comedy Cody is known for.
Then there’s his work in the American Horror Stories anthology. In the episode "Leprechaun" (2024), he dives into full-on horror. It’s gross, it’s weird, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from the Ryan Murphy universe. Seeing him go from a romantic flashback in Euphoria to a bloody horror set is pretty wild.
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What’s Actually Happening with His Career Now?
Looking ahead to late 2025 and 2026, the industry buzz is that he’s moving into more "indie darling" territory. There are rumors and small credits popping up for projects like Hold Up, a film by Ori Guendelman.
A lot of people ask if he’s related to Jill Eikenberry (the L.A. Law star). He isn’t. He’s just a kid who started out modeling for brands like YSL and Warby Parker and somehow managed to skip the "struggling extra" phase and go straight to HBO.
Every Henry Eikenberry Project You Can Stream Right Now
If you’re trying to do a marathon, here is the roadmap of his work so far. It's a short list, but it's high quality:
- Euphoria (HBO/Max): Season 2, Episodes 3 and 4. This is the essential viewing.
- The Crowded Room (Apple TV+): He appears as Doug. Look for him in the early episodes that establish Danny’s social circle.
- Lisa Frankenstein (VOD/Peacock): He plays Michael Trent. It’s a great pick if you like Heathers or Edward Scissorhands.
- American Horror Stories (Hulu): The "Leprechaun" episode. Don't eat while watching this one.
- Santa Doesn't Know You Like I Do (Music Video): He plays the "Man" in this Sabrina Carpenter video. It’s basically a three-minute short film where he looks very handsome in the snow.
Why He’s Not Just Another Pretty Face
Look, Hollywood is full of tall, blonde guys with jawlines. But Eikenberry has this specific vulnerability. In the Euphoria wrestling scenes, he wasn't just playing a "jock." He was playing a kid who was terrified of his own feelings but trying to be brave for his friend. That's a lot of layers for a guy who, at the time, had almost zero professional acting credits.
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He’s also smart about his roles. He hasn't signed onto a generic Marvel movie or a boring CW show. He’s picking weird, auteur-driven projects like Diablo Cody scripts and Apple TV+ prestige dramas.
How to Keep Up With Him
If you want to see what’s next, your best bet is following his Instagram (@henryeikenberry). He isn't a "post every day" kind of guy, but he usually drops behind-the-scenes photos when a project is wrapping up.
As we move into 2026, keep an eye on the festival circuits like Sundance or SXSW. That seems to be where his career is heading—small, impactful films that let him actually act instead of just standing there looking like a model.
For those of you holding out hope for a Derek comeback in Euphoria Season 3—don't hold your breath too long. The show has been famously delayed, and with the time jump rumored to be happening, it’s more likely we’d see an older actor play the adult version of Derek. But hey, in Hollywood, you never really know.
What to do next:
Go back and re-watch the opening 15 minutes of Euphoria Season 2, Episode 3. Now that you know his name, you'll see how much he's actually doing with his face while the narrator is talking. Then, check out The Crowded Room on Apple TV+ to see how he handles a 1970s New York setting—it’s a completely different energy.