HBO’s The Idol marks The Weeknd’s first significant venture into acting as he partners with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson in the upcoming show. The Grammy Award winner will play a “self-help guru and leader of a modern cult” in the limited series who develops an unsettling relationship with a rising pop star played by Lily-Rose Depp.
Although details have been kept from the public, some substantial alterations have already been made to the show. HBO declared in April 2022 that the show would be “adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve” the new approach as it was moving in a new creative direction. Amy Seimetz, who was supposed to direct all six episodes, and cast member Suzanna Son departed the project, and as a result, Levinson was given a more prominent directing role.
The Weeknd Unveiled First Footage From The Idol
According to HBO, it’s unlike anything viewers have ever seen. Executive vice president of HBO programming Francesca Orsi remarked, “When the multi-talented Abel ’The Weeknd’ Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, and Sam Levinson brought us The Idol, it was clear their subversive, revelatory take on the cult of the music industry was unlike anything HBO had ever done before.”
Fans got a glimpse on Saturday night as The Weeknd premiered The Idol’s first teaser trailer at his July 16 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before HBO shared it online. The opening lines of the drug-and sex-filled clip say, “From the sick & twisted minds of the creator of Euphoria Sam Levinson and Abel ’The Weeknd’ Tesfaye.”
The teaser, which describes itself as “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood,” gives a glimpse of the strange relationship between Jocelyn (Depp) and Tesfaye’s cult leader. Set to Justice’s pulsating 2011 track “Planisphere”, the surreal visuals appear to be replete with drug use, wealth, wild parties, orgies, lustful romance and every other vice that The Weeknd sings about in his albums. Check it out below.
The Idol has an eclectic cast of actors and singers in addition to Depp and The Weeknd, including Debby Ryan, Hari Nef, Troye Sivan, Rachel Sennott, Steve Zissis, and, as the trailer teased, Jennie from BLACKPINK. Along with Anne Heche, Melanie Liburd, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga, and TV on the Radio singer Tunde Adebimpe, All American Rejects singer Tyson Ritter will also have a recurring role.
HBO has not yet confirmed the Idol’s official release date, but the teaser trailer indicates it will happen soon.
If you have any questions regarding The Idol, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
