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Season 1 – The Idol

Play trailer 1:26 Poster for Season 1 – The Idol Jun 2023 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
18% Tomatometer 105 Reviews 41% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?
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The Idol — Season 1

The Idol — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Every bit as florid and sleazy as the industry it seeks to satirize, The Idol places itself on a pedestal with unbridled style but wilts under the spotlight.

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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland iNews.co.uk Sep 18, 2024
1/5
Lily Rose Depp stars in a knee-jerk celebration of hedonism made by a reactionary voyeur with a creepy gaze. Go to Full Review
Lillian Crawford Empire Magazine Dec 12, 2023
2/5
The Idol starts out strong but soon melts away after some mild provocation. Go to Full Review
Richard Ferguson The Australian Aug 15, 2023
The Idol doesn’t work. It’s lurid and sleazy. And it looks like the blokes are to blame. Go to Full Review
Damon Wise Deadline Hollywood Daily Nov 14, 2023
However it turns out, Depp is quite rivetingly game with, to put it mildly, a highly sexualized performance that also is grounded and often vulnerable, discomfitingly addressing the fine lines between porn and art, power and exploitation. Go to Full Review
Susan Granger SSG Syndicate Sep 12, 2023
3/10
Even with its obvious allusions to self-destructive Britney Spears, the tawdry plot is too plain, the narrative disjointed, and the dialogue dreadful. Go to Full Review
Joe Reid Primetimer Aug 6, 2023
The Idol [...] is desperate to deliver the veneer of something objectionable in order to provoke the kind of outraged reactions that can push TV shows from buzzy provocation to heated conversation topic. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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xrysa X @RT83568656 Aug 25, 2026 it could be painful to watch, if it was less boring See more Justin S @RT15397164 Aug 14, 2026 I honestly couldn't watch pass episode two. Just felt so bland to me. See more Nana K @RT43953408 Jul 7, 2026 it felt good having context to all the songs from the album after listening without watching the show. each episode is worse than the last. Episode one was great. Episode two was also fine, but the show ultimately failed at keeping the momentum it had built up within the first half of the season, and eventually tumbled into a lacklustre finale that barely made any sense. See more Francisco L @RT95410155 Apr 26, 2026 In fact, his portrayal of Abel was very natural. The fact that fans aren't used to this side of him doesn't diminish his performance. He addresses sensitive topics and realities of the industry, people with obsessions and problems, as well as power. It's raw, yes, but people weren't expecting that. See more Malik D. @Princevon Nov 11, 2025 Just no. There is literally no value in watching this absolutely revolting show. See more Myri P @RT64831722 Sep 4, 2025 The series depicts the predatory nature of the showbiz machine and its psychological repercussions on the souls of those within it with a rare honesty. It is unapologetically raw, refusing to excuse the industry, romanticize fame, or sanctify the star as a tragic victim. Instead, it holds up a clear mirror to the exploitative, humiliating, and spiritually corrosive mechanisms of the system, showing the abuse and the mental illness it generates without polish or disguise. It's no surprise that making it was chaotic, and that so many reviewers and other parts of the machine spoke out against it. See more Read all reviews
The Idol — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 4, 2023 Pop Tarts & Rat Tales As Jocelyn preps for her triumphant return, a leaked photo sends her team into crisis mode just as a journalist arrives to do an in-depth profile on her; Jocelyn has a chance encounter with nightclub owner Tedros. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 11, 2023 Double Fantasy After clashing with her team over her album's first single, Jocelyn pushes herself to the limit on the set of her new music video, while Nikki sees potential in backup dancer Dyanne; Tedros introduces Jocelyn and Leia to Izaak and Chloe. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 18, 2023 Daybreak As Tedros inserts himself into Jocelyn's life by offering input on her wardrobe and collaborators, Leia brings her growing concerns to Chaim and Destiny; Jocelyn becomes even more emotionally tethered to him. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 25, 2023 Stars Belong to the World While fighting for the upper hand in her relationship with Tedros, Jocelyn becomes determined to introduce her new persona to the world; Jocelyn's team discusses her increasing involvement with Tedros and his inner circle. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 2, 2023 Jocelyn Forever While planning a showcase for her next tour, Jocelyn begins to take control of her relationship with Tedros. Details
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Season Info

Director
Sam Levinson
Creator
Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim
Executive Producer
Joe Epstein, Reza Fahim, Aaron L. Gilbert, Ashley Levinson, Sam Levinson, Kevin Turen, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Sara E. White
Screenwriter
Reza Fahim, Sam Levinson, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 4, 2023
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