From the minds that brought audiences cultural powerhouses like Euphoria and Blinding Lights comes The Idol, a new HBO series about a young starlet who falls in love with a Los Angeles nightclub owner with a big secret. Created by Sam Levinson, the showrunner for Euphoria, Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, Reza Fahim and a24 – the company behind films like Everything Everywhere All At Once or Uncut Gems – the show stars Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, an up-and-coming pop star, caught up in a world of sex, drugs, late night car rides, and sensual performances. She encounters The Weeknd, presumably the nightclub owner, and the two share a whirlwind romance, only for Jocelyn to discover that her new lover is actually the leader of an underground cult.
The trailer for The Idol just dropped, and Levinson’s hand is easily recognisable on the project for those familiar with his work. Its dark, moody aesthetic, combined with imaginative camerawork, and tragic, yet strangely beautiful depiction of party culture serves as a well-fitting backdrop for The Weeknd, who has explored the dark aspects of Hollywood life numerous times throughout his musical career. In addition to the high-profile leading duo of Depp and The Weeknd, the cast includes pop artist and actor Troye Sivan, actress and model Hari Nef, and even BlackPink icon Jennie Kim.