HBO has finally dropped the much-awaited teaser for the upcoming TV series The Idol!
From the executive producer of Euphoria, Sam Levinson, and The Weeknd, The Idol is one of the most anticipated series of 2022.
The show centers on a female pop artist who has a relationship with a mysterious former club owner in Los Angeles who is now a covert cult leader. The series stars The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp in the leading roles. The show also stars Golden Globe nominee and gay pop star Troye Sivan, Rachel Sennott (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Steve Zissis (Togetherness), Hari Nef, and Juliebeth Gonzalez. Other cast members include Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkley, Nico Hiraga, Anne Heche, Maya Eshet, Tyson Ritter, and Kate Lyn Sheil.
The show was originally announced in June 2021, but production didn’t kick off until November. It also went through a revamp in late April, after director Amy Seimtez and actress Suzanna Son exited the production. Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name, The Weeknd, was believed to be dissatisfied with the show’s initial creative direction. Suzanna Son was eventually replaced by the Disney Channel star, Debby Ryan.
After confirming the reshoots, according to IndieWire HBO said, “The Idol’s creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show, and they have aligned on a new creative direction. The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series. We look forward to sharing more information soon.”
On Saturday night, The Weeknd unveiled an exclusive first look at the upcoming limited series made by Tesfaye, Sam Levinson, and Reza Fahim during the New Jersey stop of his “After Hours Til Dawn” tour.
The teaser starts off by introducing the producers, “From the sick and twisted minds of…” Further, we see the show centers on the budding pop star sensation played by Lily-Rose Depp, and her boyfriend, a self-help guru (played by Abel Tesfaye). Follows a series of numerous risky and tempting cult events.
The official logline reads, “Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the series centers on a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult, who develops a complicated relationship with an up-and-coming pop idol.”
The Idol is not The Weeknd’s first excursion into film or television. The Grammy Award winner previously created and appeared in a 2020 episode of TBS’ cartoon series American Dad. Additionally, he made a notable appearance as a fictional version of himself in Josh and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems.
K-pop global star and BLACKPINK member Jennie is also set to make her acting debut with The Idol. This makes her the first-ever Korean idol to debut in an American series.
The Idol is a production of A24 and written and executive produced by Levinson, Tesfaye, Fahim, and Joe Epstein.