The first season of HBO's The Idol ends earlier than expected

The Idol ends sooner than expected. The HBO series originally had a six-episode order, but season one will air its finale episode Sunday night, July 2, with its fifth episode. The series was created by Sam Levinson, Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye and Reza Fahim. The drama, starring Tesfaye, Lily-Rose Depp and Troye Sivan, follows a young pop star, Jocelyn (Depp), trying to rebuild her career after a nervous breakdown. In the process, she falls under the spell of a nightclub owner, Tedros (Tesfaye).



The cast also includes Suzanna Son, Jane Adams (Sneaky Pete), Rachel Sennott (Call Your Mother), Hank Azaria (Hello Tomorrow!), Moses Sumney, Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Only Murders in the Building), Jennie Ruby Jane, Hari Nef (Transparent), Eli Roth, Mitch Modes, Ramsey, Sophie Mudd, Melanie Liburd (This Is Us) and Karl Glusman (Gypsy).

Deadline reports that the number of shortened episodes could be due to the "creative changes" made to the series in November 2021 and the departure of the drama's original director, Amy Seimetz.

HBO has not yet canceled or renewed The Idol with a second season. The traditional ratings are quite low, with the series averaging 58% on Rotten Tomatoes among general viewers.

Watch the trailer for The Idol below.