Sam Levinson and The Weeknd’s controversial series will not be returning for a second run.
HBO has confirmed that The Idol will not be returning for a second season.
The series – which was co-created by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye – aired in June and July this year but was met with a largely negative reception and suffered poorer viewership figures than hoped.
And now the network has confirmed that “after much thought and consideration” the drama will not be continuing.
“The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programmes, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response,” read a statement from a spokesperson.
It continued that, “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 five-episode first season followed aspiring pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and her complex relationship with self-help guru and cult leader Tedros (Abel Tesfaye) after she cancelled her tour due to a nervous breakdown.
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It first premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a raft of bad reviews.
Our own review called it not “just sleazy and controversial” but also “a wasted opportunity” – adding that, while it wasn’t as “disgusting as you’d think from the general consensus, it’s just terribly boring”.
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