The Idol, the controversial drama series co-created by Sam Levinson and The Weeknd, has been canceled by HBO after its first season. The show, which starred The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp as a pop star and a cult leader, received mixed reviews and faced allegations of a toxic work environment.
The Idol: A Provocative but Polarizing Show
The Idol premiered on June 4, 2023, as one of HBO’s most anticipated original programs. The show followed the story of Jocelyn (Depp), a famous singer who falls in love with Tedros (The Weeknd), a charismatic nightclub owner who leads a secret cult. The show explored themes of fame, power, sex, and violence, and featured graphic scenes of torture, murder, and ritual sacrifice.
The show was co-created by Sam Levinson, the creator of the critically acclaimed teen drama Euphoria, and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. The Weeknd also served as an executive producer and composed original songs for the show.
However, the show also generated controversy and backlash from critics and viewers. The show was accused of being misogynistic, exploitative, and sensationalistic, and of playing like a “sordid male fantasy”. The show also faced allegations of a toxic work environment, with reports of director Amy Seimetz leaving the project due to creative differences and crew members complaining of long hours, unsafe conditions, and abusive behavior.
HBO’s Decision to Cancel The Idol
On August 29, 2023, HBO announced that it had decided not to renew The Idol for a second season. In a statement, a spokesperson for HBO said:
“The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response. After much thought and consideration, HBO as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season. We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.”
The decision came as a surprise to some fans and industry insiders, who expected the show to continue despite its controversies. According to Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who played Jocelyn’s manager Destiny on the show, there had been conversations about making a second season as early as June. She told Variety in an interview:
“I think that everyone’s intention is to have a second season. This was never intended to be a limited series.”
The ratings for the show were also decent, though not spectacular. The show premiered with 913,000 viewers on its first night, which was lower than the debut of Euphoria in 2019. However, the viewership grew to 3.6 million after the first week of availability, and now stands at 7 million.
The Reactions to The Idol’s Cancellation
The cancellation of The Idol sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics on social media. Some expressed disappointment and sadness over the loss of the show, while others celebrated and applauded HBO’s decision.
Some fans praised the show for its boldness, creativity, and originality, and expressed their admiration for Levinson and The Weeknd’s vision. They also expressed their curiosity about how the story would have ended, and hoped for a possible revival or continuation on another platform.
Some critics, however, criticized the show for its poor quality, lack of depth, and offensive content. They also questioned HBO’s judgment for greenlighting such a project in the first place, and hoped that the cancellation would serve as a lesson for future endeavors.
Neither Levinson nor The Weeknd have commented publicly on the cancellation of The Idol as of yet.