After just one very controversial season, HBO has officially announced that Sam Levinson and Abel Tesfaye’s ‘The Idol’ will not be returning for a second season.
‘The Idol’ premiered to MAX this summer with season 1 concluding in July after just 5 episodes. Once the season ended, viewers were speculating and assuming the future of the show with no announcements made from HBO. The Weeknd took to Twitter after the season ended to say to his followers: “the finale. Grateful to share this moment with you all as the season comes to an end. Continue to push the vision no matter how bumpy the journey. Jocelyn Forever.” This tweet led to even more fan speculation as it could reflect the possibility of a second season, or could reflect the end.
Even stars of the show, including Moses Sumney and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, had uncertainties about the future of ‘The Idol.’ Sumney told Variety that he believed the series to be set at 1 season long, while Randolph said she thought “everyone’s intention [was] to have a second season.” It seems that both the cast and the viewers were not quite sold on the show’s second season potential.
A spokesperson for HBO told the press that “‘The Idol’ was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response. 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.”
The cancellation does not come as a surprise to most, as there did not seem to be many viewers looking forward to a second season of the borderline torture-porn heavy show. Many viewers and critics have reviewed the show quite harshly, taking issue with the violent sex scenes and misogynistic undertones all over the show. Despite the quality of the cast, ‘The Idol’ was debatably doomed as soon as they lost Amy Seimetz as a director.
Too bad, so sad. ‘The Idol’ will not be missed by many.