The strikingly divisive HBO series, The Idol, just completed its first season, and it’s unclear if there’ll be another. This series has been the talk of the town since its announcement and has quickly become the most hotly debated show of the summer. The brainchild of Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, the show centers on a rising pop star, Jocelyn, embodied by Lily-Rose Depp, who gets entangled in a relationship with a manipulative self-help guru and cult leader, Tedros, played by Tesfaye. With the end of this season, we can only ponder what a potential second season might entail.
What Unfolded in the ‘The Idol’ Finale?
The Idol’s season finale left viewers spellbound as Jocelyn publicly professed her love for Tedros despite seemingly escaping his sex cult. In the culminating episode, named “Jocelyn Forever,” our protagonist takes matters into her own hands to rid herself of the destructive influence of Tedros, who had been controlling her life. Following his false accusation of rape against her ex-boyfriend, Jocelyn seizes control, acquiring his followers, proposing a hefty payoff, and finally orchestrating his expulsion from her lavish abode. She then allies with her tour manager, Finkelstein, portrayed by Eli Roth, and record label executive, Nikki, played by Jane Adams, to unravel Tedros via a damning exposé written by a journalist, Talia, acted by Hari Nef. The publication of the article shatters Tedros’ life completely.
In the subsequent weeks, as Jocelyn readies herself for the inaugural concert of her new tour, Tedros resurfaces, now using the alias Mauricio Jackson. Having lost his influential status, he confronts Jocelyn in her dressing room. Here, she confesses that she orchestrated the entire scenario, pretending to be an abused woman, hungry for the abuse, to reinvent herself. Despite the eeriness of the conclusion, the final installment of The Idol presents viewers with both contentment and lingering inquiries into the perplexing dynamics between Jocelyn and Tedros. The notorious five-episode series concludes with Jocelyn’s triumphant return to the stage, performing an album of dismissed new songs, with a disheveled Tedros in tow, leaving the audience, comprised of her handlers, PR team, and record label executives, stunned.
The closing episode portrays Jocelyn’s recapture of her idol status, leaving Tedros as a helpless figure lingering in obscurity. While the finale serves an unexpected twist with Jocelyn being the puppet master, it also leaves viewers questioning the legitimacy of this plot twist.
Will There Be a Season 2 of ‘The Idol’?
So, what’s next? Will we witness the unfolding of this convoluted love narrative again or was this The Weeknd’s only appearance in an HBO prime time slot? The Idol was rumored to be canceled for a second season during its airing, prompting HBO to counter these claims publicly. In a Twitter statement, the network clarified, “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined. It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.” Concurrently, speculation over the show’s duration emerged when it was revealed to be a five-episode season, not the initially reported six. Some attributed this alteration to the backlash the show encountered, but it was also rumored to be a result of directorial changes when Amy Seimetz dropped out after most of the series was shot. These instances suggest that the series’ backstage turmoil mirrored its public reception.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, playing Jocelyn’s manager, hinted at a possible second season. In an interview with Vulture, she suggested that the first season was deliberately open-ended to leave room for the series to continue. Randolph articulated, “I see season one as setting up the world in great detail and character development, to set up a season two where it’s like, now we’re really going to get in the s**t.”
What Could We Expect from ‘The Idol’ Season 2?
While there’s no official confirmation, Randolph’s statement indicates a potential continuation of the series. Despite this, the series faced heavy criticism online, with viewers pointing out missed opportunities and insufficient character development. This feedback may impact the decision to greenlight a second season. If a Season 2 comes to fruition, we could see Jocelyn and Tedros battling for control of her career and their relationship. Given the controversy surrounding their romantic and sexual relationship in the first season, a subsequent season could rectify this, taking into account their evolved dynamic. As Jocelyn takes a more assertive stance in the finale, we can expect a more assertive Jocelyn in a potential second season.
In the final episode, we see that Jocelyn seemingly lied about her mother’s abuse as Tedros discovers a brand new hairbrush, which she claimed her mother had used to abuse her. This discovery hints at a deeper dive into Jocelyn’s backstory in a potential second season, offering meaningful commentary on the music industry and why Jocelyn became manipulative. The initial season hinted at more personal insights into Jocelyn’s life, and a second season could potentially shed more light on her true family and life. Despite a section of the audience feeling relieved at the series’ conclusion, those still intrigued by Levinson’s world might welcome a second round, especially since the first season concluded with a power shift that defied expectations.
