An HBO music industry drama from Grammy-winner The Weeknd and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson is being remixed.
HBO says the series, titled The Idol, will “adjust” its cast and crew to accommodate a new creative direction for the show: “The creative team on The Idol continues to work to build, refine, and enhance its vision for the show to evolve, and they have embarked on a new creative direction,” the premium cable outlet said in a statement. “The production will adjust its cast and crew to best reflect this new approach to the series. We look forward to sharing more information soon.”
Ordered for the series in November 2021, The Idol follows a self-help guru and leader of a modern cult who develops a complicated relationship with an aspiring pop singer. The show is set in the world of the music industry in Los Angeles.
No details are currently available on which roles could be recast. Sources tell that The Idol was in production and the changes mean footage already filmed will have to be reshot, but the show will continue after the creative overhaul.
Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Lily-Rose Depp and Steve Zissis were all cast as regulars on the series, while Melanie Liburd, Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga and Anne Heche were set to return.
The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), his producing partner Reza Fahim and Levinson are credited as the creators and writers of The Idol. Joe Epstein came on board as showrunner, and Amy Seimetz was set to direct all six episodes. All five executive producers along with Kevin Turen, Aaron Gilbert for BRON, Ashley Levinson, Nick Hall, Sara E. White and A24.