HBO has released a new teaser trailer for the upcoming drama series, The Idol, starring Lily-Rose Depp (Silent Night) and Academy Award nominee Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye (Uncut Gems), who will make his debut as a leading player in the project. The series follows a female pop musician (Depp) who begins a connection with a mysterious club owner and cult leader.
The teaser debuted at the Weeknd’s concert on August 20th at the Allegiant Stadium before its later release on Youtube, as reported by iHeart. Aside from Tesfaye and Depp, featured cast members include Suzanna Son (Red Rocket), Troye Sivan (Boy Erased), Moses Sumney (Creed), Emmy Award nominee Jane Adams (Hacks), Emmy Award nominee Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek), and BLACKPINK singer Jennie Ruby Jane, Eli Roth (Clown), and Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby). Additional cast members identified in the trailer are Hari Nef (You), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (High Fidelity), musician Mike Dean (We Are Who We Are), newcomer Ramsey, and six-time Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria (Brockmire).
The Idol is helmed by Emmy Award nominee Sam Levinson (Euphoria) and Reza Fahim, and the series is co-created and stars Tesfaye. The series underwent creative adjustments in April, with Son and director Amy Seimetz (Atlanta) exiting the series. It was later reported by Deadline that the creative overhaul was due to Tesfaye thinking the show was exploring too much of the “female perspective.”
Levinson, Tesfaye, and Fahim executive produce the series alongside Aaron L. Gilbert (Ten Percent), Mary Laws (Succession), Ashley Levinson (Irma Vep), Kevin Turen (Pieces of a Woman), and Joe Epstein, who also serves as showrunner and writer. La Mar C. Taylor, The Weeknd’s creative director, and Wassim “SAL” Slaiby, The Weeknd’s manager, also co-executive produce the series.
HBO has not yet announced a release date for The Idol.