Director Sam Levinson spoke up about HBO’s much-anticipated TV show “The Idol,” stating that it’s designed to be thought-provoking. The director believes criticism of the series foreshadows its success.
Levinson took over the directorial reins late in the series production, following the unexpected exit of the prior director in April 2022, due to what HBO termed “creative changes.”
In a March report, Rolling Stone magazine unveiled that under Levinson, who previously brought to life the HBO teenage sensation “Euphoria,” the series experienced delays in rewriting and reshooting, increasing the inclusion of explicit content and nudity. It also highlighted that the storyline was altered to accentuate Abel Tesfaye, more commonly known by his stage name, The Weeknd – a series co-creator and star.
The series features Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, a pop singer on a comeback trail, and Tesfaye as Tedros, a Los Angeles nightclub tycoon who doubles Jocelyn’s romantic interest and a covert cult leader. The first episode is set to air on June 4.
The initial two episodes of the series premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and attracted comments regarding their multiple and occasionally risqué sex scenes and nudity. The Hollywood Reporter labelled it as “more regressive than transgressive.”
Levinson acknowledged the provocative nature of the series, stating, “We understand that we’re creating a thought-provoking show. We’re not oblivious to that fact.” After his wife read him the Rolling Stone article, he expressed his belief that they were on the brink of creating the summer’s most popular show.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who portrays one of Jocelyn’s managers, reassured audiences that the first two episodes reflected only some of the series. She said, “The show will continue to evolve. It’s very feminine-forward in a wonderful and empowering way that isn’t what you’d expect,” adding that what was shown at the premiere was only part of the story.
As HBO’s ‘The Idol prepares to hit the small screen, audiences eagerly await to see if it lives up to its hype. Whether the provocative content will elevate or hinder the show’s popularity remains to be seen. With a star-studded cast and a director renowned for breaking boundaries, ‘The Idol has undoubtedly set the stage for an unforgettable summer.
