Jump to content

The Idol (TV series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2604:3d09:6a84:7700:c1c1:6cf:c7a:9027 (talk) at 02:16, 17 May 2023 (→Supporting). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Idol
File:The Idol logo.png
GenreDrama
Created by
Directed bySam Levinson
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Abel Tesfaye
  • Reza Fahim
  • Sam Levinson
  • Joseph Epstein
  • Ashley Levinson
  • Aaron L. Gilbert
  • Nick Hall
  • Keily Amaya
  • Sara E. White
Production locationsLos Angeles, California
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO

The Idol is an upcoming American drama television series created by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, and Sam Levinson. The series focuses on an aspiring pop idol (Lily-Rose Depp) and her complex relationship with a self-help guru and cult leader (Tesfaye). Appearing in supporting roles are Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Jennie Ruby Jane, Eli Roth, Rachel Sennott, Hari Nef, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Dean, Ramsey, and Hank Azaria.[1][2]

The Idol is set to premiere at 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2023.[3] It is scheduled to air on HBO on June 4, 2023.[4]

Synopsis

The Idol focuses on Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), an aspiring pop idol who, after having a nervous breakdown that causes her last tour to be canceled, resolves to reclaim her title as the sexiest pop star in America and begins a complex relationship with Tedros (Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye), a self-help guru and the head of a contemporary cult.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, an up-and-coming pop idol and Tedros' love interest
    • Finley Rose Slater as younger Jocelyn
  • Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye as Tedros, a self-help guru, the leader of a modern-day cult and Jocelyn's love interest

Supporting

Episodes

No.Title [5]Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [6]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pop Tarts & Rat Tales"UnknownUnknownJune 4, 2023 (2023-06-04)N/A
2TBAUnknownUnknownJune 11, 2023 (2023-06-11)N/A
3TBAUnknownUnknownJune 18, 2023 (2023-06-18)N/A
4TBAUnknownUnknownJune 25, 2023 (2023-06-25)N/A
5TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 2, 2023 (2023-07-02)N/A
6TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 9, 2023 (2023-07-09)N/A

Production

Development

On June 29, 2021, the Weeknd announced that he would be creating, executive producing and co-writing a drama series for HBO alongside Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.[7] On the same day, Ashley Levinson and Joseph Epstein were announced as executive producers for the series, with Epstein also serving as a writer and the series' showrunner. Mary Laws was also announced as a writer and will serve as a co-executive producer, alongside Tesfaye's co-manager Wassim Slaiby and his creative director La Mar Taylor.[8] Amy Seimetz was signed on as the director and as an executive producer.[9]

On November 22, HBO gave the production a series order for a first season consisting of six episodes. On January 14, 2022, Deadline Hollywood reported that Nick Hall had joined the production as an executive producer, following his move to A24 to oversee creative for the company's television slate.[10]

Casting

In the initial announcement, Tesfaye revealed that he would be starring in the series.[11] On September 29, 2021, it was reported that Lily-Rose Depp had signed on to play the female lead opposite Tesfaye.[12] On November 22, Suzanna Son, Steve Zissis, and Troye Sivan joined the main cast, while Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkley, Nico Hiraga and Anne Heche were announced as recurring characters.[13] On December 2, Juliebeth Gonzalez joined the cast as a series regular, while Maya Eshet, Tyson Ritter, Kate Lyn Sheil, Liz Caribel Sierra and Finley Rose Slater were cast in recurring roles.[14]

On April 25, 2022, Variety reported that the show was set to undergo a major overhaul, with "drastic" changes in the cast and creative directions. On April 27, Deadline Hollywood reported that Son, Zissis and Gonzalez were not expected to return.[15] In July, actors Rachel Sennott and Hari Nef, along with Blackpink member Jennie Ruby Jane joined the cast;[16][17][18] Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Eli Roth, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Dean, Ramsey, and Hank Azaria were confirmed as cast members on August 21 in the second teaser trailer. On March 1, 2023, Rolling Stone reported that Son and Sivan remained in the cast despite the overhaul.[19]

Filming

Principal photography began in November 2021 in and around Los Angeles, California.[20] Production was temporarily paused in April 2022 due to Tesfaye co-headlining the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with Swedish House Mafia on short notice.[21] On April 25, Variety reported that Seimetz had left the project amid its creative overhaul, with roughly 80% of the series already filmed.[19][22] HBO released a statement following Seimetz's exit, saying: "The Idol's creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction. The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series. We look forward to sharing more information soon."[23]

Levinson reportedly took over Seimetz's directing duties. According to IndieWire and other sources, Tesfaye wanted to tone down the "cult" aspect of the story,[19] and felt concerned that the show was "leaning too much into a female perspective."[24] Levinson embarked on a reshoot and rewrite of the series, scrapping Seimetz's approach to the story — a troubled starlet falling victim to a predatory industry figure and fighting to reclaim her own agency — to instead depict a love story, with a heavier emphasis on sexual content and nudity.[19]

Production resumed in late May 2022 and was paused again in early July, just as Tesfaye began embarking on his After Hours til Dawn Tour.[25] Scenes from The Idol were filmed in September at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California during Tesfaye's tour. Audience members were notified of the filming before the concert commenced.[26][27]

Music

The series' soundtrack, The Idol Vol. 1, will include songs created by the Weeknd himself and supporting cast member Mike Dean, among others. "Double Fantasy" (featuring Future) was released as the lead single from the soundtrack on April 21, 2023.[28]

Release

The Idol will premiere out-of-competition at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2023.[3] The series is scheduled to premiere on HBO on June 4, 2023.[29]

Accolades

Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards March 5, 2023 Best Music Supervision in a Trailer – Series Scenery Sumandra, Gregory Sweeney – Official Teaser #3 Nominated [30]
Cannes Film Festival May 5, 2023 Queer Palm Sam Levinson Pending [31]

References

  1. ^ Otterson, Joe (November 22, 2021). "The Weeknd's HBO Series 'The Idol' Gets Greenlight, Adds Eight to Cast Including Troye Sivan and Anne Heche". Variety. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Zemler, Emily (November 24, 2021). "The Weeknd's HBO Series 'The Idol' Casts Troye Sivan, Tunde Adebimpe". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes" (PDF). festival-cannes.com. May 10, 2023. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Franken, Claire (April 17, 2023). "The Weeknd's Music Industry Drama The Idol Gets Premiere Date at HBO — Watch Teaser Trailer". TVLine. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  5. ^ "HBO TV Schedule". HBO. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "Shows A-Z - idol, the on HBO". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  7. ^ White, Peter (June 29, 2021). "The Weeknd To Star In & Write Pop Singer Cult Drama Series 'The Idol' With Sam Levinson In The Works At HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  8. ^ Otterson, Joe (June 29, 2021). "The Weeknd to Star in, Co-Write Cult Series in the Works at HBO With 'Euphoria' Creator". Variety. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Hailu, Selome (April 25, 2022). "Amy Seimetz Out as Director of the Weeknd's HBO Drama Series 'The Idol', Series to Undergo Significant Reshoots". Variety. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 14, 2022). "Nick Hall Joins A24 To Oversee Creative For TV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  11. ^ Mamo, Heran (June 29, 2021). "The Weeknd to Star In & Co-Write New HBO Series With 'Euphoria' Creator". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 29, 2021). "Lily-Rose Depp Joins The Weeknd In 'The Idol' Drama Series In Works At HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "The Weeknd's HBO Series The Idol Casts Troye Sivan and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe". Pitchfork. November 23, 2021. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (December 2, 2021). "'The Idol': HBO's Music Industry Drama Series Adds Six To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "'The Idol': Suzanna Son Not Returning To HBO Drama Series Amid Creative Overhaul". Deadline. April 27, 2022. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  16. ^ Jacob, Lola (July 7, 2022). "Rachel Sennott joins the cast of 'The Idol' starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp". Coup De Main Magazine. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  17. ^ Hess, Liam (July 6, 2022). "Hari Nef Is Having a Moment in the Hair Color of the Season". Vogue. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  18. ^ Petski, Denise (July 20, 2022). "Blackpink's Jennie Joins The Weeknd's 'The Idol' HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d Roundtree, Cheyenne (March 1, 2023). "'The Idol': How HBO's Next 'Euphoria' Became Twisted 'Torture Porn'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Holmes, Martin. "HBO Picks Up The Weeknd's Drama 'The Idol' For Full Series, Adds 8 To Cast". TV Insider. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Inside the Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia's very last-minute Coachella collab". Los Angeles Times. April 14, 2022. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  22. ^ Hailu, Selome (April 25, 2022). "The Weeknd's HBO Drama Series 'The Idol' to Undergo Significant Reshoots". Variety. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  23. ^ White, Peter (April 26, 2022). "'The Idol': Director Amy Seimetz Exits Amid Overhaul Of HBO Drama Series". Deadline Hollywod. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  24. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (April 27, 2022). "The Weeknd and Sam Levinson's HBO Series 'The Idol' Undergoing Reshoots, Cast and Crew Changes". Indiewire. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  25. ^ "'So humbling and incredible': The Weeknd talks about his journey from Scarborough to world stages". thestar.com. July 8, 2022. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022. he was expecting to immediately jump on a plane to wrap filming in L.A in the six days between his Toronto and Philadelphia gigs.
  26. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (September 4, 2022). "The Weeknd suddenly cuts short L.A. concert due to vocal issues: 'This is killing me'". Yahoo. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  27. ^ Wood, Mikael (September 3, 2022). "The Weeknd brings dark-pop spectacle, and Lily-Rose Depp, to SoFi Stadium". LA Times. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  28. ^ Mamo, Heran (April 19, 2023). "The Weeknd's 'Double Fantasy' With Future From 'The Idol' Soundtrack Is Dropping Soon". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Franken, Claire (April 17, 2023). "The Weeknd's Music Industry Drama The Idol Gets Premiere Date at HBO — Watch Teaser Trailer". TVLine. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  30. ^ "'Elvis,' 'Stranger Things' Win at 13th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. March 5, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  31. ^ "La Sélection Officielle Queer Palm". queerpalm.org (in French). Retrieved May 14, 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Idol_(TV_series)&oldid=1155184593"