“The Idol”
No second season for Lily-Rose Depp’s controversial series
“The Idol”: No second season for Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd.
© Sky Germany
“The Idol” ends after one season. Was the series with Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd only planned as a short-lived format anyway?
“The Idol” with Lily-Rose Depp (24) and The Weeknd (33) does not get a second season. This reports, among others, “Variety” with reference to HBO. “‘The Idol’ was one of HBO’s most provocative formats, and we’re delighted with the strong audience response,” said a spokesman for the US broadcaster. “After careful consideration, both HBO and the writers and producers have decided not to produce a second season,” the statement continued.
The first season of “The Idol” ended in the US in July of this year. In Germany, the series could be seen on Sky.
Was The Idol designed as a miniseries from the start?
There is uncertainty as to whether “The Idol” was planned as a miniseries from the start. Opposite “Page Six” an anonymous source said in June that the series was never designed to be a long-running hit. However, another insider said to be close to HBO said the door was open for a second season.
Pop star The Weeknd aka Abel Tesfaye developed “The Idol” together with Sam Levinson (38), creator of the HBO hit “Euphoria”. It’s about a young singer (Lily-Rose Depp) who tries to reinvent herself after a nervous breakdown. In doing so, she encounters the nightclub owner Tedros, played by The Weeknd himself, who turns out to be the leader of a cult.
Controversy before launch, bad reviews after broadcast
Even before the start, “The Idol” caused controversy. Amy Seimetz (41), who was actually intended as director, was sawed off by the makers. The Weeknd allegedly her approach was too feminist. Sam Levinson ended up directing it himself.
By the time The Idol came out, the show was mostly getting bad reviews, including for The Weeknd’s acting and questionable sex scenes.