HBO has decided not to renew “The Idol” for a second season, which might not come as a shock given the mixed reception and its unconventional production journey. The show, a creation of Sam Levinson and Abel Tesfaye (known as The Weeknd), was marked by controversy and starred Tesfaye alongside Lily-Rose Depp. It encountered difficulties during production, including director changes and episode count reductions, resulting in a total of five episodes.
While some cast members hinted at the possibility of a follow-up season, insiders clarified that the initial creators didn’t plan for a multi-season narrative. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who played a manager in the series, mentioned that the first season intentionally left room for continuation.
An HBO spokesperson acknowledged the show’s impact and audience response but confirmed the decision to not proceed with another season. The initial viewing data indicated a strong start, with the first two episodes garnering around 913,000 and 800,000 viewers, respectively. Notably, the series seemed to target a younger demographic, which influenced the viewing patterns between linear TV and streaming.
Although “The Idol” initially showed promise in terms of viewership, it failed to maintain the positive reception enjoyed by other HBO series like “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus.” The series premise, revolving around a pop star’s comeback, was co-created by Levinson, Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. Despite premiering at Cannes Film Festival, the show struggled to find its footing and faced challenges throughout its production.
Key cast members included Lily-Rose Depp, Abel Tesfaye, Troye Sivan, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dan Levy, and more. The show’s executive production involved Levinson, Tesfaye, Fahim, as well as Kevin Turen, Ashley Levinson, Joseph Epstein, Aaron L. Gilbert, and Sara E. White. Levinson directed the series, which was developed in collaboration with A24.
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