Every thing You Have to Know About HBO’s ‘The Idol’

In a nutshell:

A brand new HBO present co-created by Euphoria’s Sam Levinson and The Weeknd, wherein the latter will star reverse Lily-Rose Depp, The Idol explores the difficult relationship between a cult chief and a pop star on the rise. Manufacturing was halted on account of inventive variations between The Weeknd and director Amy Seimetz again in April 2022, however is now again on observe.

Is The Weeknd transferring into tv?

Sure, The Weeknd—actual identify Abel Tesfaye—is creating this present in collaboration with Reza Fahim and Levinson with A24 for HBO. On prime of that, he’s concerned in just about each different facet of the sequence, as co-writer, government producer, and star. Will probably be his first main performing function, following his memorable look as himself in Uncut Gems.

What’s the plot of The Idol, precisely?

The log line for the six-part sequence merely reads: “a self-help guru and chief of a modern-day cult enters an advanced relationship with a rising pop idol.” Tesfaye will take the function of the cult chief, whereas Depp will play the pop star, Jocelyn.

The latter expanded additional in an interview on November 16, stating that the largest problem of her half was not memorizing choreography however “understanding how alone you’ll be able to really feel, even when everyone’s watching you.” She went on to namecheck Madonna, Britney Spears, and Mariah Carey as reference factors for the character of Jocelyn and stated of her collaborator, Sam Levinson: “He attracts from the one that’s proper in entrance of him and what he already sees in you as an individual, and he finds methods to weave that into your character.” Of the sexually charged nature of the present she added, “I’m not occupied with making something puritanical. I believe this present is fearless, and that’s one thing that I’ve been actually excited and proud to dive into.”

Who else is within the solid of The Idol?

The Weeknd has recruited a mixture of established names, up-and-comers and actual world musicians. Along with himself and Depp, there’s pop star Troye Sivan, Steve Zissis and Juliebeth Gonzalez. TV On The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe may have a recurring function, too, together with Melanie Liburd, Maya Eshet, Tyson Ritter, Kate Lyn Sheil, Liz Caribel Sierra, Elizabeth Berkley, Nico Hiraga, Anne Heche and Finley Rose Slater. Then, on July 18, HBO confirmed that yet one more business stalwart had joined the ensemble: Blackpink’s Jennie Kim, in an undisclosed function. Additionally within the combine? Hank Azaria and Schitt’s Creek’s Dan Levy

Is there a trailer for The Idol?

Up to now, there are three. On July 17, HBO launched an enigmatic teaser for the brand new present—and its hallucinatory visible fashion has shades of Euphoria. It opens with a choreographer placing a bunch of dancers by their paces, earlier than the digicam cuts to frantic photographs of somebody being given a lap dance, popping champagne bottles, and Depp and Tesfaye reclining within the backseat of a convertible because the music builds to a crescendo. 

We additionally get a glimpse of grand mansions; Depp working towards after which performing a vigorous routine; plates of cocaine; money being counted; and Tesfaye on the head of a dinner desk, asking Depp, “Why don’t you simply be your self?” She scowls at him in response. “As a result of there’s nothing about me that’s relatable.” Cue wild partying in neon-drenched golf equipment, Tesfaye and Troye Sivan kicking again on a sun-drenched terrace, and issues getting steamy between Tesfaye and Depp in a recording studio. “Do you belief me?” he whispers, and he or she laughs. “Not likely.” Daring, blood crimson textual content then invitations viewers to take pleasure in “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.”