Although news has circulated that HBOs idol was canceled just two episodes into its first season, the network confirmed that was not the case.
The controversial series starring The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and Lily-Rose Depp was initially reported not to return for a second season by Page six. However, HBO took to Twitter to dispel the rumours: “It is wrongly reported that a decision has been made on a second season of The Idol. It wasn’t and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you on Sunday night.”
In the original report, the series was slated to end after the first season, according to an inside source. “This was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always … a limited run,” the source said. But another source, from HBO, told the press, “the door is definitely still open — it’s definitely not a decision (yet). At this point, that’s normal in our process… We’re only two episodes in.”
It is wrongly reported that a decision has been made on a second season of The Idol. He didn’t and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you on Sunday night.
— HBO PR (@HBOPR) June 15, 2023
idol features a cult club promoter and a rising pop star. The show (created by Tesfaye and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson) is meant to be a whimsical look at how women are treated in the music industry (Depp’s Jocelyn is compared to Britney Spears in the first episode).
The series features an appealing cast with Dan Levy, Hank Azaria, Troye Sivan, Hari Nef, Di’Vine Joy Randolph, Jane Adams, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Eli Roth and more in its ranks, but initial reactions to the first episode say that the supporting cast can’t make up for The Weeknd’s poor acting (variety he called it “non-existent”) and apparently just as non-existent.
The second episode was also criticized for its overt displays of sex. The sex sceneswhich were described in a Rolling Stone detailed articlecaused original director Amy Seimetz to leave the project.
idolSundays, 9/8c, HBO and Max