The Idol Canceled by HBO After One Season

Jocelyn will sing no more, as The Idol, the controversial HBO drama created by Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, will not be renewed for a second season. Here’s the official statement from HBO:

“The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response. After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season. We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.”

The series, which featured Lily-Rose Depp as a troubled pop star and Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) as the club owner whose spell she falls under, was originally conceived with director Amy Seimetz (The Girlfriend Experience) behind the camera. However, Seimetz left the series as part of a creative overhaul, and Levinson took over the production, reshooting much of it with himself as sole director of the first season’s five episodes.

The Idol made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year, followed by its eventual debut on HBO. In an interview prior to the show’s premiere, co-star Jane Adams told Consequence that she hoped the show would run “for eight seasons.” However, critics weren’t as excited by the series — our own Mary Siroky, in her review of the first episode, wrote that “it’s shocking in places and a little gross in others, but the strongest feeling is a sense of emptiness, leaving behind no reason to consume future episodes..”

While the WGA/SAG strikes mean that no production is currently happening, Levinson’s relationship with HBO will eventually continue with the announced third season of Euphoria. Don’t get too excited, though — the Zendaya-starring drama may not return until 2025. In the meantime, The Idol Season 1 is still streaming on Max… for now.