The Idol has been axed after only one season (Picture: HBO)After extensive speculation concerning its future, The Idol has officially been terminated.
Developed by Sam Levinson of Euphoria fame and featuring Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp, the HBO series was one of the most eagerly anticipated shows of this year. However, it was also shrouded in controversy, receiving harsh criticism from both critics and fans for its explicit content, with some even labeling it as ‘torture porn’.
Additionally, it concluded one episode earlier than originally planned, raising doubts about the possibility of a second season.
It has now been officially confirmed that the show has been discontinued after just one season.
‘The Idol was among HBO’s most thought-provoking original programs, and we’re pleased with the strong audience response,’ stated an HBO spokesperson.
‘After careful thought and consideration, HBO, along with the creators and producers, have decided not to proceed with a second season.
The series featured Lily-Rose Depp and Abel Tesfaye (Picture: HBO)‘We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible contributions,’ they added in the statement to EW.
Although ongoing discussions regarding a potential second season had taken place, it is reported that plans for multi-season story arcs had been considered but no final decisions were made until very recently.
According to HBO, The Idol ranked among Max’s top Summer (Summer is Here SALE)r series, with the premiere drawing an audience of over seven million viewers.
Premiering in June, The Idol followed troubled pop star Jocelyn (Depp) and her complicated association with cult leader Tedros (Tesfaye).
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Even before its debut, an expose in Rolling Stone divulged allegations that the production had turned into a ‘nightmare’.
Troubles began when director Amy Seimetz departed the show after several of the six episodes were already completed, and reports detailed how Sam Levinson took over as director, resulting in a complete overhaul and reshoot of the nearly finished $54-75 million project.
It was created by Sam Levinson of Euphoria (Picture: Gisela Schober/Getty Images)Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who portrayed Jocelyn’s manager Destiny, previously mentioned in an interview that the network was so impressed with the series that discussions regarding a second season had taken place.
‘I think that everyone’s intention is to have a second season,’ she remarked to Variety.
‘This was never intended to be a limited series. HBO has been very satisfied with it — to the extent that rumors circulated about us being cancelled, and then HBO went on Twitter[to dispute the rumors] , which is a rare occurrence. Nothing is official, but HBO is quite content.’
When asked about Randolph’s comments, an HBO spokesperson informed EW that the network had ‘nothing to add’.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to HBO for comment.
The Idol is available for streaming on NOW and Sky Atlantic.
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Original source: The Idol cancelled by HBO after one season in the least surprising news ever
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