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The Icon season finale was broadcasted on July 2, 2023.
The inaugural season comprised of 5 episodes.
The Icon was axed after a solitary season in Aug. 2023.
The Icon had a controversial run, to put it mildly. During the 5-episode tenure of Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd at the helm, the series created by Sam Levinson shocked viewers with explicit content, scenes depicting torture, and a strong cult atmosphere. The first season of the show concluded on July 2, leaving some room for a potential second season, but in Aug. 2023, Deadline reported that the show was canceled.
‘The Icon was among HBO’s most daring original programs, and we’re pleased with the enthusiastic response from the audience,” stated an HBO spokesperson. “After careful consideration, HBO, along with the creators and producers, have made the decision not to proceed with a second season. We extend our gratitude to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible contributions.”
Read on to find out more about the reasons why it is highly unlikely for there to be a season 2 and discover what the cast members previously mentioned about the future of the show below.
Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd portrayed the characters of Jocelyn and Tedros. (HBO)
Why The Icon Will Not Have a Second Season
HBO recently disclosed that The Icon will not be renewed for a second season. The show had a short run of only 5 episodes, despite initially receiving approval for 6 episodes. HBO did not refer to the finale as the “series finale” while promoting it. However, in a GQ profile, The Weeknd described The Icon as a “five-hour film,” leading viewers to believe that a second season was unlikely.
After the second episode aired, Page Six reported that the show would conclude after just one season. “This was never intended to be an ongoing show, it was always … a limited series,” stated an anonymous source to the publication. However, an HBO insider emphasized that the “possibility is still open — a decision has not been made yet. At this point, this is a normal part of our process … we are only two episodes in.”
In June 2023, prior to the end of the season, HBO PR’s Twitter account tweeted, “Reports about a decision being made regarding a second season of The Icon are inaccurate. No decision has been made yet, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you on Sunday night.”
Considering the amount of criticism the show garnered, HBO’s decision to not continue with it is not entirely surprising. The cancellation occurs over a month after reports of Selena Gomez, who previously dated The Weeknd, feeling “annoyed” that her real-life seemed to be the inspiration for Lily-Rose’s character Jocelyn.
What the Cast Has Mentioned About The Icon Season 2
Despite the cancellation, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who portrayed Jocelyn’s co-manager Destiny in the HBO series, informed Vulture before the finale episode that the final episode of season 1 was “intentionally” setting the stage for a second season.
“I consider season 1 to be an intricate setup of the world and character development, laying the foundation for a season 2 where we delve into the nitty-gritty,” the actress stated. “Whenever you finish a project, you always wonder, ‘Is there a possibility for season 2?’ And they’re always like, ‘Yeah, definitely!’
Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Destiny. (HBO)
She continued, “Everyone wants and intends to have a second season. It was never officially announced, but as far as I know, HBO has been very satisfied and interested, and there hasn’t been any opposition so far, signaling a cancellation.”
Da’Vine also shared with Variety, “I think everyone’s intention is to have a second season. This was not meant to be a limited series. Nothing is certain, but HBO is very pleased.”
If The Icon Returned for Season 2, Who Would Have Been in the Cast?
If The Icon had not been canceled and had a second season, it is likely that Lily-Rose and The Weeknd would have reprised their roles as Jocelyn and Tedros. Her inner circle, including Troye Sivan as Xander, Moses Sumney as Izaak, and Suzanna Son as Chloe, were also expected to return, along with Hank Azaria, Jane Adams, and Da’Vine Joy.
Considering that Leia left a note for Jocelyn as she packed her bags, it is doubtful that Rachel Sennott would have made a comeback. Jennie Ruby Jane’s Dyanne was dismissed by Nikki in the finale, so unless she was planning a return, Dyanne would have likely faded into obscurity.
How Did The Icon Season 1 Conclude?
The first season of The Icon came to an end with Jocelyn embarking on her tour after collaborating with Tedros and his followers on new music. After discovering that Tedros orchestrated their meeting through Dyanne, Jocelyn appeared to want Tedros out of her life for good. She had Chaim remove him from the picture and continued planning her tour with Chloe, Xander, Izaak, and the others.
Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn in the finale. (HBO)
Prior to the opening night of her tour, Tedros showed up at the stadium searching for his artist’s pass. Destiny warned Tedros not to mess with Jocelyn, or else there would be severe repercussions. Jocelyn confessed that she missed Tedros and wanted to reconcile. As much as viewers might have hoped for her to move on from him, Tedros became Jocelyn’s muse. She used him to further her own career, and the finale revealed just how far Jocelyn was willing to go for inspiration (including lying about her mother’s abuse).
When Jocelyn took the stage, she introduced Tedros as the love of her life. They shared a kiss before she instructed him to stand in the shadows while she basked in the spotlight. Although Tedros (and viewers) believed that Jocelyn was under his control, Jocelyn was actually the one in charge all along.
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“Jocelyn is a very strategic and calculated person. She knows exactly what she wants, and she will stop at nothing to achieve it,” said Lily-Rose in a behind-the-scenes interview.
She added, “I think many audience members may watch the first few episodes and think that this guy is taking advantage of her. However, by the end, he realizes that she knows precisely what he’s doing, and she knows exactly what she’s doing.” Creator Sam highlighted,”She needs to devour those around her to feel like she has something to say.”
Originally published at ‘The Icon’ Season 2: Everything To Know Amid Show’s Cancellation After Just 1 Season
