Axed: The Idol
Controversial series with Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp ends after just one season.
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Controversial HBO drama The Idol has been axed after just a single season.
“The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response,” said a spokesperson for HBO. “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.”
Variety reports the decision to cancel the series was made recently after a lack of clarity for both viewers and cast members about whether the series had the potential to continue. There was no set plan for a multi-season story, though there were options to continue the show following the end of the five-episode season.
It was a show mired in headlines with Rolling Stone detailing serious allegations about a toxic set, which the Weeknd responded to by posting a deleted scene where his character described Rolling Stone as “irrelevant.”
Amid dud reviews, it drew just a 19% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the Hollywood Reporter, it premiered to 913,000 viewers across all platforms but first night ratings for subsequent episodes fell off. HBO says that in the 85 days since the series premiere, the first episode has grown to 7 million viewers. It hasn’t released a figure for the full five-episode run.
The show screened in Australia on FOX Showcase and Binge.
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3 Responses
IMO No great loss
I know some pop fans who have watched this and get icky feelings about the Weeknd now. Not sure it was a wise move for his brand.
It was sleezy, smutty OTT and should have been classed as soft porn… several minutes in promoting it by Foxtel, the trailers and review said it all…waste of effort money and some very questionable talent….as for Weeknd’s “brand” he needs to stick to his “music”.