According to Deadline, the latest trailer for HBO’s controversial new music drama The Idol was released today. The series stars Lily-Rose Depp (The Dancer, Divergent) and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye (Uncut Gems).
In The Idol, Depp stars as Jocelyn, a pop star who ruined her reputation with a nervous breakdown on tour. Tesfaye plays Tedros, a nightclub owner and cult leader who promises to help her reclaim her fame. Jocelyn and Tedros begin an intense romantic relationship.
This trailer showcases Jocelyn and her relationship with Tedros. The show’s intense sexual themes are also on display, with Jocelyn wearing revealing clothing and filming a sexually explicit music video.
The series is Co-created by Sam Levinson (Euphoria), Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. The series is written by Reza Fahim. The series is produced in partnership with A24.
The series and its production have been muddied with controversy. Behind the scenes, a director departed the show because of creative differences, and rumors have swirled of an alleged toxic workplace. Levinson ended up taking the helm of director for the series. The show’s handling of its subject matter has also been criticized as promoting a toxic relationship and unhealthy ideas about sex and fame. Some have even described it as “Rape Fantasy.”
The first two episodes of the series were showcased at the Cannes film festival. Reactions to the series were mixed, with some critics calling it “clickbait, “garbage” and disgusting. One critic said that they “didn’t need to see any more of Lily-Rose Depp naked.” Others praised Depp’s performance and compared the series to intense dramas like Black Swan and Succession.
Following the film festival, The Idol earned an incredibly low Rotten Tomatoes score. As of this moment, the Rotten Tomatoes score is 27%.
The Idol premieres on the streaming service Max on June 4.