HBO's The Idol release updates, cast, synopsis, 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 the Grammy Award winner, 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

A release date for the new series hasn’t been set yet. HBO ordered the drama back in November 2021. There will be a total of six episodes. Variety reports it’s highly possible that the series will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, which sometimes includes television shows.

The Idol synopsis

The network hasn’t shared a synopsis yet either. Though, we do have the logline which gives us an idea about the general premise:

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.

The Idol cast

Abel “the Weeknd” Tesfaye as the self-help guru and leader of the modern-day cult
Lily-Rose Depp as the up-and-coming pop idol

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
Troye Sivan
Dan Levy
Moses Sumney
Jane Adams
Jennie Ruby Jane
Eli Roth
Rachel Sennott
Hari Nef
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Mike Dean
Ramsey
Hank Azaria

The Idol teasers

We’re still waiting for an official trailer, but HBO did provide us with a couple teaser trailers 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: