After that twisted finale, could The Idol be returning with further episodes?
WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS FULL SPOILERS FOR THE IDOL EPISODE 5.
So, that’s a wrap on The Idol – or is it?
While the HBO series has reached its end with episode 5, entitled Jocelyn Forever, fans and critics of the drama have now turned to thinking whether or not we could see The Idol returning for season 2.
It’s safe to say that The Idol has been one series that has been subject to its fair share of controversy from the offset.
The much talked-about show only drummed up further reactions after its predominantly negative reception from critics at Cannes earlier this year.
But could we be seeing Lily-Rose Depp and Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye return as popstar Jocelyn and Tedros?
The HBO drama centres on Depp’s character, Jocelyn, as she embarks on a complicated love affair with dubious club manager Tedros – and it seems Tedros has been plotting how to get close to Jocelyn for some time.
The finale revealed, however, that it’s Jocelyn who has been using Tedros as a muse for her new music, destroying his reputation and life in one fell PR swoop at the end of the episode.
Even so, we see the couple reunited on stage, meaning things are apparently back on for the confused couple.
But with Jocelyn enjoying the fruits of her labour, her manipulation and her sold out tour, where does that leave Tedros exactly?
Although The Idol was heavily reported to have six episodes, fans have been left with just five. Speaking to TVLine, a source said: “[Co-creator and co-writer] Sam [Levinson] took over and made significant changes. The story only ended up requiring five.”
Following director Amy Seimetz’s departure due to a “major creative overhaul and… adjusting the cast and crew” (according to Rolling Stone), Levinson took on directing duties himself.
But when Tesfaye spoke to GQ in mid-June, he referred to it as a “five-hour film”, as did several reviews from Cannes.
Make of that what you will.
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There are also question marks surrounding The Idol’s future.
Following an article from the New York Post’s Page Six, in which sources claimed it “was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always… a limited series”, HBO refuted that a call had been made on next steps: “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined. It has not.”
But one cast member is hopeful that more episodes are on their way.
In an interview with Vulture, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Jocelyn’s manager Destiny) said that “it’s everyone’s desire and intention to do a season 2”, adding: “And until we hear differently, that’s the plan.
“I see season 1 as setting up the world in great detail and character development, to set up a season 2 where it’s like now we’re really going to get in the s**t.”
Ultimately, the decision will boil down to financial factors – is it worth HBO’s while to invest in another season? – which is also tied to viewing figures.
In terms of the negative press, that’s unlikely to impact the decision-making. As Oscar Wilde once wrote: “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
Will The Idol season 2 happen?
First up, we need that all-important renewal.
If season 2 is given the green light, don’t expect it to air until at least 2024. But it could be longer given the cast and crew’s other scheduling demands, such as Levinson’s other show Euphoria season 3.
“We shoot these episodes in like a month each. It takes a while,” Colman Domingo, who plays Ali, told People. “It takes so long because there are a lot of frames.”
What could happen in The Idol season 2?
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As for what could happen in season 2 if it does go ahead, there’s no telling where Levinson and Tesfaye could continue to take the series.
The first season ended with Jocelyn seemingly on top of the world and revelling in her own success, but stop scrolling now if you’re yet to see the finale for yourself as there are major spoilers ahead.
Taking the stage at LA’s SoFi stadium, she was greeted by thousands of fans in what her team said was a sold out tour after a stream of hit singles in the past six weeks.
But in a surprise move for her team and for us as viewers, Jocelyn welcomed Tedros on stage with her as “the love of my life”. After kissing him, she whispers to him: “You’re mine… forever. Now go stand over there.”
The power dynamics have certainly shifted and Tedros is now just another pawn in Jocelyn’s game of reaching the top. But with his reputation in pieces and the IRS reportedly after him, we can’t see how much Tedros could bring to Jocelyn’s fame and fortune. Especially since he’s a social pariah.
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As for season 2, we can expect Jocelyn to still be riding high on the success of her tour and depending on where it picks up from, seeing the consequences of that fateful concert night.
From the looks of it, Finkelstein (Eli Roth), Chaim (Hank Azaria) and Nikki (Jane Adams) were all in uproar at Tedros’s return – so could this be the final straw for all of them in terms of working with Jocelyn?
We also saw how Jocelyn has somewhat adopted Tedros’s role as leader of the pack when it comes to rising stars Chloe (Suzanna Son), Ramsey, Izaak (Moses Sumney) and Xander (Troye Sivan).
Together, they form Jocelyn’s opening act on her tour, but seeing as Jocelyn has clearly always been unwilling to give Xander a chance at exploring his own musical talents, will this joy be short lived?
We know from previous episodes that Xander said Jocelyn put a stop to his own career, but thanks to Tedros, Xander was given a chance to perform for her team, leading to him having a place in the group.
Read more: The Idol isn’t just sleazy and controversial – it’s also a wasted opportunity
But seeing as Jocelyn does like to remain the centre of attention, will she start to put the brakes on any plans for these rising stars to get careers of their own? It seems very likely, especially seeing as Chaim revealed he wants to make them all “global superstars”.
As for Leia, we saw her pack her bags and leave Jocelyn’s home – but seeing as the pair are childhood best friends and Leia is probably well-versed in Jocelyn’s demeanour, could she return?
It seems as though the false rape allegation against Rob, and Jocelyn’s lack of action around that, proved to be a final straw for her, but seeing as Xander manipulated the situation, perhaps we could see a reconciliation.
Something tells us that we should doubt any progress being made on their collaborative makeup line, though.
The final shot of Dyanne also revealed that she had a feeling it was Jocelyn who was putting a stop to her own singing career.
Nikki informed her of legal issues that meant her single was on hold but Dyanne knew it was Jocelyn, could Dyanne return for an act of revenge? Quite possibly, and seeing as she was the one who was initially with Tedros, he could very well help her take Jocelyn down with what he knows about her lies and past.
Who could return for The Idol season 2?
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If The Idol season 2 does go ahead, we’re sure we can see many of the same faces return as Jocelyn and co continue to build their music careers.
We imagine there will also be a slew of new faces, of people Jocelyn has either picked up in her group along the way, or potential new music executives and management.
Seeing as things didn’t end on a good note for Leia, we’re unsure whether Rachel Sennott would reprise her role for a second season, as well as Jennie Ruby Jane’s Dyanne.
The cast members who we would expect to see return for season 2 of The Idol are as follows.
- Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn
- Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye as Tedros Tedros/Mauricio Costello Jackson
- Suzanna Son as Chloe
- Troye Sivan as Xander
- Moses Sumney as Izaak
- Ramsey as Ramsey
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Destiny
- Hank Azaria as Chaim
- Jane Adams as Nikki Katz
- Eli Roth as Andrew Finkelstein
Is there a trailer for The Idol season 2?
Slow down! As The Idol season 2 is yet to be confirmed, there’s no trailer to be enjoyed for it just yet. But we do have the trailer for season 1, which gives a glimpse into the drama.
The Idol is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK – sign up for Sky TV here.
Looking for something else to watch? Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
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