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One of the year's most highly anticipated star-studded music industry drama, The Idol, is all set for its arrival on HBO Max on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET. The series will, however, first debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
The Idol will have 6 episodes in total and will follow a rising pop star Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, who is desperate to make a comeback after her nervous breakdown. She partners up with a producer named Tedros, played by Abel Tesfaye, who “brainwashes” her as the two descend into a world of s*x, drugs, and pop music. The official synopsis of the show as per Rotten Tomatoes reads:
"After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and s*xiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?"
The Idol houses a star-studded cast with Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp in the lead and several famous names in supporting roles. The show has already been subjected to high expectations as it comes from the creator of the critically acclaimed HBO show Euphoria, Sam Levinson.
The Idol focuses on the dark and gritty side of the pop music industry
HBO Max has so far released four teasers for the upcoming drama show and they have managed to cause big waves in the industry for the controversial topics depicted in it. The show focuses on Jocelyn as she tries to find her path to achieve a perfect comeback in the pop industry after a nervous breakdown.
On her quest to become “the biggest touring act ever", she teams up with a producer, who is also a nightclub owner, self-help guru, and leader of a modern-day cult, and engages in a complicated and toxic relationship with him. The first teaser released by the streaming service gave the viewers a glimpse of what the show offers.
In a typical Euphoria-like fashion, Sam Levinson recreates an almost crazy and dark aesthetic that centers around s*x, parties, and drugs. Depp and Tesfaye's characters promise to deliver a stunning performance as they manage to bring forth the eccentricity and outrageousness of the struggles that a rising pop star may encounter, especially in a world where expectations are at an all-time high.
The second and third teasers however sum up the entirety of the plot. While most of both are still centered around what the first teaser hinted at, a single glimpse from the teasers stood out to the viewers. While Jocelyn's character practices a routine for one of her performances, Jane Adams and Dan Levy's character points to her and says:
"That is s*x. That is what we're selling."
It brings to light that the show, even though controversial, tries to bring forward the exploitation of stars, particularly young women in the industry by the media. Lily-Rose Depp has also commented on the show by stating the same thing.
Every teaser of The Idol starts with the phrase "From the sick and twisted” minds behind Euphoria or "From the gutters of Hollywood' and those phrases are an indication enough that the show will spotlight the dark and unrefined sides of stardom and popularity.
Fans have also pointed out the show's usage of the Britney Spears track "Gimme More" in the fourth teaser and have compared the lead actress's character to similar to that of Britney Spears, as the famed singer had also gone through some tough stages in her career while on her journey to become the biggest pop star of all time. It is also rumored that the show will contain other Britney Spears soundtracks as well.
The Idol promises to be a thrilling escapade for the viewers and with a star-studded cast to add to its intriguing storyline, fans can hardly wait for the show to premiere.
More about The Idol's cast
The Idol houses a star-studded cast, which has built the anticipation for the show even more. In the lead roles of Jocelyn and Tedros are the insanely popular Lily-Rose Depp and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye. The former has been a part of numerous projects before the HBO show, however, this time the actress will be playing a role like never before.
In an interview with Elle Magazine, the French-American actress and model stated that she drew inspiration from pop stars Madonna, Britney Spears, and Mariah Carey for her character. She also opened up regarding her controversial scenes with Tesfaye in The Idol and commented on it by saying:
"I'm not interested in making anything puritanical. I'm not interested in making anything that doesn't challenge me, or challenge other people, honestly. I think this show is fearless, and that's something that I've been really excited and proud to dive into. I can't wait for you guys to see it."
She stated that both The Weeknd and Sam Levinson made her feel "incredibly safe and protected" and she considers the former "a really good friend who's had my back." She also said:
"We've gone on this wild ride together. It was a first for both of us in a lot of ways."
Depp's acting in The Idol's trailer has certainly caught the attention of many and it'll be interesting to see how the actress manages to bring the eccentric character to life. Lily-Rose Depp has previously starred in numerous films such as Voyagers, The King, Wolf, and Tusk.
However, her co-star The Weeknd is equally brilliant in the teasers and fans have been waiting to see the singer take part in more acting projects since his popular cameo in Uncut Gems in 2019. The actor-singer has been lauded for his portrayal of the sadistic character of Tedros and many have already speculated that this might be the role that establishes Tesfaye as one of the biggest stars in the industry.
If the lead cast wasn't impressive enough for the viewers, The Idol is host to Blackpink's Jennie Kim, who will be playing the role of Angel in the upcoming drama. While not many details are known pertaining to her character, the actress' glimpses in the show's teasers have already taken the internet by storm.
In another famous addition to the show, Troye Sivan will be playing the role of Xander. So far, the teasers have shown Troye Sivan engaging in a conversation with Tesfaye's character, and fans are already interested to see the show explore their dynamic. Both singers, being relatively new to acting have managed to garner positive reviews from the critics and viewers alike.
Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy will also be joining the cast along with Bodies Bodies Bodies star Rachel Sennott. Not many details have been revealed about their characters at the moment.
The cast will also include Suzanna Son, Hank Azaria, Eli Roth, Jane Adams, Moses Sumney, Karl Glusman, Anne Heche, Hari Nef, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Dean, and Elizabeth Berkely.
Stream The Idol on HBO Max on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET.
