The Idol (TV series)

The Idol is an upcoming American drama television series created by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim. Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the series will be focusing on a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult who enters a complicated relationship with a rising pop idol. It will star Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp in the lead roles, alongside an ensemble cast consisting of Suzanna Son, Steve Zissis, Troye Sivan, Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga, Anne Heche, Juliebeth Gonzalez, Maya Eshet, Tyson Ritter, Kate Lyn Sheil, Liz Sierra, and Finley Rose Slater.[1]

The Idol
GenreDrama
Created by
Written by
  • Sam Levinson
  • Reza Fahim
  • Joseph Epstein
  • Mary Laws
Directed byAmy Seimetz
Starring
Production
Executive producers
  • Abel Tesfaye
  • Sam Levinson
  • Reza Fahim
  • Joseph Epstein
  • Ashley Levinson
  • Aaron L. Gilbert
Production locationLos Angeles
Production companies
Release
Original networkHBO

Premise

Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the series will be focusing on a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult who enters a complicated relationship with a rising pop idol.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Production

Development

When the multi-talented Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye, Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson brought us ‘The Idol,’ it was clear their subversive, revelatory take on the cult of the music industry was unlike anything HBO had ever done before. Shortly after, the brilliant duo of Joe Epstein and Amy Seimetz joined forces with the rest of the team, and this dream became a reality.

— Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming

On June 29, 2021, Abel Tesfaye announced that he would be creating, executive producing and co-writing a drama series for HBO alongside Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim.[2] On the same day, Ashley Levinson joined the production as an executive producer. Joseph Epstein was announced as a writer and executive producer for the series, in addition to serving as the showrunner. Mary Laws was also announced as a writer and will serve as the co-executive producer, alongside Tesfaye's co-manager Wassim Slaiby and his creative director La Mar Taylor.[3]

On November 22, 2021, HBO gave the production a series order for the first season consisting of six episodes. It was also announced that Amy Seimetz would direct all six episodes.[1]

Casting

Alongside its initial announcement, Tesfaye revealed that he would be starring in the series. On September 29, 2021, it was announced that Lily-Rose Depp would star opposite of Tesfaye.[4][5] On November 22, 2021, Suzanna Son, Steve Zissis and Troye Sivan joined the main cast. On the same day, Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkeley Lauren, Nico Hiraga and Anne Heche joined the cast as recurring characters.[6] On December 2, 2021, Juliebeth Gonzalez was cast as a series regular while Maya Eshet, Tyson Ritter, Kate Lyn Sheil, Liz Sierra, and Finley Rose Slater were cast in recurring roles.[7]

Filming

Principal photography began in November 2021 in and around Los Angeles, California.[8]

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. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  2. 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. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  3. Otterson, Joe (June 29, 2021). "The Weeknd to Star in, Co-Write Cult Series in the Works at HBO With 'Euphoria' Creator". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  4. Andreeva, Nellie (September 29, 2021). "Lily-Rose Depp Joins The Weeknd In 'The Idol' Drama Series In Works At HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  5. Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (September 29, 2021). "Lily Rose-Depp to Star Opposite The Weeknd in HBO Drama 'The Idol'". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  6. Nast, Condé (November 23, 2021). "The Weeknd's HBO Series The Idol Casts Troye Sivan and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  7. Petski, Denise (December 2, 2021). "'The Idol': HBO's Music Industry Drama Series Adds Six To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  8. Porter, Rick (November 22, 2021). "The Weeknd's HBO Drama 'The Idol' Snags Series Order". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 23, 2021.


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