Despite some reports to the contrary today, it seems that The idol has not been officially cancelled. However, that doesn’t mean he will return after this season.
Following numerous reports claiming that The idolwhich is the brainchild of Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, would not be returning for a second season, HBO shared a statement from their official PR social accounts noting that multiple outlets reported this news incorrectly.
“It is erroneously reported that a decision on a second season of The idol has been determined,” read a tweet. “It’s not, and we can’t wait to share the next episode with you on Sunday night.”
It is erroneously reported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined. It’s not, and we can’t wait to share the next episode with you on Sunday night.
— HBO PR (@HBOPR) June 15, 2023
At the time of writing, only two episodes of The idol were broadcast, however, the reception did not go well.
A British GQ review called a sex scene in the second episode “the worst sex scene in history”.
In an interview with American QGThe Weeknd noted that this particular scene was meant to be unsexy.
“However you feel watching this scene, whether it’s discomfort, or whether you feel rude, or whether you feel embarrassed for the characters,” he said. “It’s all these emotions adding up: this guy is way in way over his head, this situation is one where he’s not supposed to be here.”
The idol airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. The episodes are also available to stream on Max.