The Idol: The Weeknd’s New TV Series Starring Lily-Rose Depp - All The Details

23 May 2023, 16:44 | Updated: 8 June 2023, 15:52

Watch the latest trailer for The Idol

By Hayley Habbouchi

Here’s everything you need to know about The Weeknd’s new TV series The Idol including the all-star cast, what it’s about and its release date.

The Weeknd has left us all excited after announcing his new drama TV series, The Idol, which he co-created with Euphoria director Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim; The Weeknd’s producing partner.

The Canadian star - real name Abel Tesfaye - has not only co-created the exciting new series but he is set to star in it also alongside an all-star cast, including Johnny Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose Depp as the lead character.

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It’s safe to say the trailer for the upcoming series already has us all hooked and ready to fill the Euphoria-shaped gap in our hearts - but what is the series about? When does it drop and who’s starring in it?

Here’s the lowdown on the cast of The Idol, the release date, how to watch it in the UK and more…

The Weeknd has co-created a new series called The Idol
The Weeknd has co-created a new series called The Idol. Picture: HBO
The Weeknd will star as a main character in The Idol
The Weeknd will star as a main character in The Idol. Picture: HBO

Watch The Idol trailer

The first full trailer for The Idol is out and it looks every bit as gritty and dramatic as expected.

We get a full preview of Lily Rose Depp's character Jocelyn whose friends fear has been 'brainwashed' by love interest Tedros (The Weeknd) as she films a music video, rehearses for tour and conducts interviews with the press.

Troy Sivan's character Caleb opens the trailer by saying to someone out of shot: "When was the last truly-f*****g-nasty, nasty bad pop girl?" before it cuts to a wild club scene and Tedros telling Jocelyn: "You've got the best job in the world, you should be having way more fun."

Dan Levy features in the trailer in the scene they gave a quick re-shot in March to respond to Rolling Stone's report about the show. More on that below.

Watch the trailer for The Idol

What did Rolling Stone say about The Idol?

Rolling Stone published a report in March 2023 called “The Idol: How HBO’s Next ‘Euphoria’ Became Twisted ‘Torture Porn’,” where they made numerous scathing claims about the show.

It wasn't long before The Weeknd himself responded to their claims with a short clip in which he turns down the opportunity for Lily-Rose Depp's character Jocelyn to do a cover shoot with the publication, calling them 'irrelevant'.

He later tweeted the clip to Rolling Stone, asking: "Did we upset you?" to which Rolling Stone's editor-in-chief Noah Shachtman replied with: “Not at all,” and shared two of the superstar's past cover shoots with the magazine.

What’s The Weeknd’s series The Idol about?

The series is self-proclaimed as ‘the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood’, according to the trailer.

The Idol will follow a pop singer (played by Lily-Rose Depp) who starts up a romance with a club owner, who also happens to be the leader of a secret cult (played by The Weeknd).

One synopsis reads: “A self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult enters a complicated relationship with a rising pop idol.”

The official poster goes on to share the teasy tagline: "We all crave things that aren't good for us."

The Idol received a mixed review during Cannes Film Festival in May, however, despite their five-minute standing ovation, the new drama was met with a lot of backlash by critics for the 'graphic' sex scenes and gratuitous nudity.

Lily-Rose Depp will also star in The Idol
Lily-Rose Depp will also star in The Idol. Picture: HBO
Lily-Rose Depp will play pop singer Jocelyn in The Idol
Lily-Rose Depp will play pop singer Jocelyn in The Idol. Picture: HBO

The Idol release date

The release date for The Idol is June 4th, meaning we won't have to wait much longer until we can see The Weeknd's new gritty series!

The Idol is dropping on June 4
The Idol is dropping on June 4. Picture: HBO

Watch the second trailer for The Idol

The star-studded cast of The Idol

So far, confirmed stars who have been cast in The Idol include:

  • The Weeknd
  • Lily-Rose Depp
  • Troye Sivan
  • BLACKPINK’s Jennie
  • Rachel Sennott
  • Hari Nef
  • Tunde Adebimpe
  • Nico Hiraga
  • Anne Heche
  • Debby Ryan
  • Elizabeth Berkley
  • Alexa Demie

During a press conference at Cannes Film Festival, it was confirmed that Euphoria star Alexa Demie would be reprising her HBO role as Maddy Perez in a crossover for The Idol as she's set to make a small cameo.

The Idol boasts a star-studded line-up of actors
The Idol boasts a star-studded line-up of actors. Picture: HBO
Troye Sivan also has a role in The Idol
Troye Sivan also has a role in The Idol. Picture: HBO

How to watch The Weeknd’s HBO series The Idol in the UK

The Idol is set to come out on HBO when it drops, which doesn't air in the UK.

However, Sky sometimes allows customers to watch HBO programmes through their services in the UK.

Alternatively, it’s likely the series will expand to other streaming giants such as NOW - like with Euphoria, or an alternative platform to allow international fans to watch it.

Keep your eyes peeled on this page for all the updates on The Idol!

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