Will The Idol be everyone’s next onscreen obsession? We’ll find out when it officially drops on HBO this Sunday.
In the lead-up to its release, there was heavy scrutiny of the series—which stars Lily-Rose Depp and singer the Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye. Tesfaye reportedly directed a complete overhaul of the show, claiming it was leaning too much on the “female perspective,” tapping Euphoria creator Sam Levinson to helm the series after director Amy Seimetz exited. Afterward, Rolling Stone published an exposé about the toxic work environment on set and the show’s transformation into a story about “torture porn.” (HBO has denied these allegations.) Indeed, at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, some reviewers criticized the gratuitous number of explicit sexual scenes shown in the first two episodes.
Reflecting on the controversy that followed after the Rolling Stone report, Levinson said at a Cannes press conference, “When my wife read me the article, I looked at her and I said, ‘I think we’re about to have the biggest show of the summer.’” Time will tell if his prediction will resonate with viewers.
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The Idol follows pop star Jocelyn (Depp), in the midst of reinventing her reputation after suffering a mental breakdown and canceling her last tour. She is aided by Tedros (Tesfaye), a nightclub impresario who pushes her celebrity onto a darker and dirtier path. Other cast members include Troye Sivan as Jocelyn’s manager, Xander; Blackpink’s Jennie as Dyanne; and Moses Sumney as Izaak.
Ahead, see how and when to watch the anticipated series.
Where to Watch
The Idol will be exclusively available to watch on HBO on Sundays at 9 p.m. Viewers can also stream the series on Max.
When to Watch
The series premieres on June 4. See the full episode schedule below.
- Episode 1: “Pop Tarts & Rat Tales” — June 4
- Episode 2: “Double Fantasy” — June 11
- Episode 3: “Daybreak” — June 18
- Episode 4: (TBA) — June 25
- Episode 5: (TBA) — July 2
- Episode 6: (TBA) — July 9
As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.
