HBO have confirmed that The Idol won’t return for a second season.
The six-part series centres on Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, an aspiring pop idol.
After having a nervous breakdown which forces her to cancel her tour, she attempts to reclaim her status as the sexiest pop star in America.
Jocelyn begins a complicated relationship with a self-help guru/head of a contemporary cult, named Tedros, played by Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye.
The Weeknd created the concept for the series alongside Euphoria director Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim.
Viewers slammed the series for being “too graphic” and “too sexual” after its release.
The Weeknd later responded to the criticism, telling GQ: “There’s nothing sexy about it.”
“When we use Basic Instinct as a reference, we’re using Verhoeven,” The Weeknd continued. “Verhoeven is the king of ’90s satire thriller — yes, there’s moments of ‘sexy’ in his films but there are other moments that are very cheesy and hilarious.”
“However you’re feeling watching that scene, whether it’s discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for the characters. It’s all those emotions adding up to: This guy is in way over his head, this situation is one where he is not supposed to be here.”
The 33-year-old described his character as a “douchebag” and “pathetic”.
He went on to say: “You look at him, and this is a score—Jocelyn might be the biggest score he’s ever had. It’s very obvious. He’s over-indulging, he walks into this house looking around like, ‘Goddamn, am I way over my head? This can be the biggest job I’ve ever done.’”
“Whatever it is that he’s doing. Even the sex, it’s so gluttonous. Especially in episode 2. ‘Gluttony’ is the only word I can think of [to describe it]. He can’t believe he’s there. He comes off like such a loser. Those moments are the humanity that you find in a psychopath, the chink in his armor.”
Following the backlash against the series, HBO have confirmed the show will not return for a second season.
A HBO spokesperson told Page Six: “The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response.”
“After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season. We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.”
