HBO's The Idol release date, cast, trailer, and more

Singer-songwriter the Weeknd and actress Lily-Rose Depp will star in HBO’s new series, The Idol, to tell the “sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.” The show was co-created by Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim.

The Weeknd, Levinson, and Fahim are also writers on the series, according to the The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet also shared that the trio, showrunner Joe Epstein, Kevin Turen, Aaron Gilbert, Ashley Levinson, Nick Hall, Amy Seimetz, and Sara E. White serve as executive producers.

Here’s everything we know about The Idol so far!

The Idol release updates

The drama will premiere Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 9 p.m. ET on the network, as well as be available to stream on Max. It’s not known what the episode release schedule is yet. There will be a total of six episodes.

HBO ordered the series back in November 2021 and the show will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023.

The Idol synopsis

We’ve shared the synopsis below per HBO:

"The Idol, set against the backdrop of the music industry, 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.After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s (Depp) last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros (The Weeknd), a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?"

The Idol cast

Abel “the Weeknd” Tesfaye as Tedros
Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn

A Rolling Stone report was released in March 2023, reportedly citing a bad working environment, lat-minute script changes, and a diversion from telling the story from a female perspective. The outlet reports there have been some scenes that are now scrapped that were “disturbing.” Both The Weeknd and HBO refuted those claims, per Variety.

When the show was first announced, Amy Seimetz was set to direct all six episodes. At that time, actors Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Steve Zissis, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga, Anne Heche, Suzanna Son, and Troye Sivan were all set to star as well.

Then in April, it was announced that The Idol would be changing its cast and crew to adjust to a new creative direction, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The director exited, and now there’s a new cast rounding out the series (other than Son and Sivan who are still on board).

Here is the cast joining The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp:

Suzanna Son as Chloe
Troye Sivan as Xander
Dan Levy as Jocelyn’s publicist
Moses Sumney as Izaak
Jane Adams as Nikki
Jennie Ruby Jane as Dyanne
Rachel Sennott as Leia
Hari Nef as Talia
Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Destiny
Mike Dean as a music producer
Ramsey as herself
Hank Azaria as Chaim
Eli Roth

The Idol teasers

We’re still waiting for an official trailer, but HBO did provide has provided us with four teaser trailers so far to give us an idea of what to expect! It looks like there’s going to be lots of drugs, sex, and everything else in between. After all, the series promotes it will tell the “sleaziest love story.”

Check out the teaser trailers below: