“You are not a human being, you are a star.”
The highly anticipated psychological thriller series “The Idol” centers on pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) as she descends into obsessive madness in a twisted relationship with charismatic nightclub owner Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye). The show, co-created by “Euphoria” showrunner Sam Levinson, Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, debuted to controversy at the Cannes Film Festival before premiering on HBO on June 4.
According to the official synopsis, after a nervous breakdown derails Jocelyn’s (Depp) latest tour, she’s determined to reclaim her rightful status as America’s biggest and sexiest pop star. Her passions are rekindled by Tedros (Tesfaye), a nightclub manager with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or into the deepest, darkest depths of her soul?
Troye Sivan, Dan Levy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth, Hari Nef, Jane Adams, Jennie Ruby Jane, Mike Dean, Moses Sumney, Rachel Sennott, Ramsey, Suzanna Son and Hank Azaria round out the ensemble cast. Co-creator and executive producer Levinson directs all episodes after original showrunner Amy Seimetz departed from the series more than halfway through production.
Levinson recently addressed rumors of the massive filming allegedly centered around porn, telling Cannes, “We know we’re doing a provocative show. We didn’t miss it, but it’s strange. Because when my wife read the article to me, I said, “I think we’re about to do the biggest show of the summer.” In terms of the specifics of what was inside, it felt completely foreign to me. But I know who I am.
Lead star and executive producer Tesfaye added that he was determined to make the series the best it could be.
“I’ve realized that I need to know that I’ve made the best version of whatever I’m doing. It was a challenge to remake ‘The Idol’ and, in truth, I sacrificed my health and my home to make it work,” Tesfaye said. “So, let’s say it comes out and it’s fucking awful. I still know that I did my absolute best. From what I’ve seen, the show is great. Everything is a risk – when you’ve done your best, I’d call that a happy ending.
“The Idol” will premiere June 4 on HBO. Check out the latest trailer below.
