The Weeknd’s highly-anticipated HBO series The Idol is now just weeks away — and fans couldn’t be more excited.
Arriving on HBO’s streaming service MAX on June 4, the brash and immersive series comes directly from “the sick and twisted minds” of Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye. Sharing its official trailer on April 17, The Weeknd continued the show’s rollout with a salacious visual for the The Idol soundtrack’s lead single “Double Fantasy.”
Produced by Metro Boomin and Mike Dean, the track’s synths are instantly recognizable — evident from Dean’s fingerprints on After Hours and Dawn FM. “I’m the only one who knows this side of you / And baby, you know that can I pull out what’s inside of you / Even though it’s wrong,” Abel croons, as toxic king Future’s verse adds to the grandiose, dark and dramatic allure of the double fantasy Abel’s living. “I know the bad in you, that’s what I want,” the Freebandz rapper tears off, igniting a sense of lustful fervor consistent with both artists’ career-wide themes.
The visual is equally as entrancing, showcasing clips from The Idol, which follows nightclub impresario Tedros (played by Tesfaye) who becomes entangled with a rising pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp). Steamy and sensual scenes post-club hook-up contrast with feelings of dispassion in all facets, as The Weeknd immerses us into another world only he has the vision for.
Coinciding the track’s release, the Toronto superstar has been hard at work with Mike Dean producing the remainder of The Idol, Vol. 1. Alluding to an “XO summer” by performing “Double Fantasy” at Coachella’s opening weekend (April 15), this seems to be the first track he plans on sharing ahead of The Idol’s first episode, with “Jealous Guy” next in the pipeline.
“The Idol, Vol. 1 coming soon, ‘double fantasy’ & ‘jealous guy’ just a taste,” the XO boss wrote. He and Dean have been spotted working together over the course of the last several years, fleshing out The Idol’s season one soundtrack and presumably the final leg of Abel’s “new trilogy.” Amid this, Dean’s upcoming album 4:23 is co-produced by Abel, as the latter previewed another new track on IG live over the weekend.
Appearing alongside Metro Boomin, Diddy and 21 Savage for a live rendition of H&V mega-hit “CREEPIN” at Coachella, the Weeknd’s voice has been a hot topic of conversation lately. The now-removed AI -generated “Heart On My Sleeve” — courtesy of Ghostwriter — features robo-verses from both Abel and OVOXO counterpart Drake, igniting a greater conversation surrounding the future implication of artists’ likeness in generative technology.
As far as Abel’s forthcoming series, a dazzling display of drugs, sex and intense rehearsals in the trailer promises that The Idol will be a raunchy look into the music industry. Levinson will direct each of the six episodes himself after previous director Amy Seimetz’s departure in 2022. The series also features a collection of stars like Troye Sivan, Debby Ryan, Melanie Liburd, Rachel Sennott, Blackpink’s Jennie and more. The show’s first episode will premiere at Cannes Film Festival in May.
The Idol will mark The Weeknd’s first major role as a series lead. Previously, he portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in the critically-acclaimed Uncut Gems and voiced himself in an episode of American Dad!, as well as numerous voices on an episode of The Simpsons. His role in Uncut Gems led to his connection with producer Oneohtrix Point Never, who later produced on the singer’s latest albums.
Following Dawn FM and its coinciding “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” last year, The Weeknd already appears to be “The Idol” he’s set out to seduce this summer.
Watch the official trailer for HBO’s The Idol below!
