When The Idol first announced, Amy Seimetz (The Boyfriend Experience) signed the direct and executive product. However, halfway through filming the project, Seimetz exited the HBO drama due to creative differences with Abel Tesfaye aka The Week and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, who took over the management duties. This led the project to go in a new and different direction for the story, resulting in reshoots.
In a recent interview with W Magazinethe Grammy winner has finally addressed the controversy surrounding the extensive reshoots that The Idol passed a year ago. Despite receiving criticism about the series’ reported sexual content, Tesfaye expressed her confidence because of the commitment poured into the creative process.
“Film and TV is a new creative muscle for me. I don’t release my music until I think it’s good. Why should this be different?,” Tesfaye explained. “My secret skill is not I will panic. When everyone around me is worried, I become very quiet. But I panicked when I lost my voice. I need to rest and reflect and think about The Weeknd and Tedros and everything that happened on the show. I realized that I needed to know that I was doing the best version of whatever I was doing.
He continued, “It was a challenge to do The Idol again, and, in fact, I sacrificed my health and home to make it work. So, let’s say it came out and it was horrible. I still know that I did my best.” Tesfaye paused. “From what I saw, the show was great. Everything is a risk: If you did the best you could, I’d call that a happy ending.
Who’s On The Idol?
Idol was created by Levinson, The Weeknd, and Reza Fahim. This marks The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp’s TV acting debuts and first major scripted drama series. They include Golden Globe nominee Troye Sivan, Hari Nef, Debby Ryan, Steve Zissis, Rachel Sennott and K-Pop global superstar Jennie Kim of Blackpink. The additional cast includes Anne Heche, Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga, and others.
“After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s last tour, she is determined to claim her right as America’s biggest and sexiest pop star,” reads the official logline. “Her passions are echoed by Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a sinister past. Will her romantic awakening lead her to glorious new heights or to the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?”
Idol is written and executive produced by Levinson, Tesfaye, Fahim, and Joe Epstein. Kevin Turen, Ashley Levinson, Nick Hall, Sara E. White, and Aaron Gilbert are executive producing. This is an A24 production.
The series is scheduled to premiere on June 4.