The Weeknd to star and co-create new show with ‘Euphoria’ creator
Pop singer The Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, is set to make his live-action television debut with HBO series The Idol, which he and the genius behind Euphoria, Sam Levinson, will be the creators.
The new HBO series centers around a female pop singer who falls in love and starts an illicit relationship with a Los Angeles club owner who is secretly the leader of a cult.
HBO announced that The Weeknd will not only be the star, but will also be the writer and the executive producer for The Idol along with Levinson. Joseph Epstein is reported to be the showrunner, executive producer, and writer as well. Ashley Levinson, Kevin Turen, and Aaron L. Gilbert will co-executive produce with Levinson, Tesfaye and Reza Fahim.
For now, The Weeknd is the only cast attached to the series. Further details, such as when filming begins, episode count, and when the show is slated for a release is yet to be disclosed.
The Idol marks The Weeknd’s second television show, last year he was credited as a co-writer for one of the episodes of the adult cartoon American Dad, titled “A Starboy is Born” where he played as himself.
On the other hand, The Idol will be Levinson’s second series for HBO after his acclaimed work for Euphoria that stars Zendaya and Maude Apatow that revolves around teen struggles with love, sex, drugs, and other social issues.
(Images via @TheWeeknd)