He can sing, he can act, and he's one of the most bankable R&B stars around. The Weeknd has been enjoying quite a commercial peak over the last year with his criminally-underrated-by-the-Grammy album, After Hours, and dozens of other accolades piling up his cabinet. Up to this writing, The Weeknd has sold over 75 million albums and is one of the most streamed artists on Spotify, in addition to his three Grammy wins, five AMAs, and 19 Billboard Music Awards trophies. In fact, he was even nominated for Best Original Song in 2016.
Speaking of his acting career, recently, Deadline reported that the powerhouse singer is set to produce and act in a brand new HBO series, The Idol. Who will be his co-stars? What's the story about? When will it be released? Who will helm the project? Find out all the burning questions here!
9 The Weeknd Will Star In It
As mentioned, The Weeknd will star in the upcoming show. Unfortunately, the way the singer will play in the series is still pretty much unknown at this point. In fact, he's so much of a cinephile that he's enlisted a plethora of cinematic references in his previous album. Two years ago, he made his brief acting debut in Uncut Gems before starring in a Saturday Night Live skit a year later.
8 He Will Also Produce The Show, Alongside Sam Levinson
Furthermore, The Weeknd enlisted Sam Levinson to produce the show with him. Levinson rose to stardom for creating HBO's BAFTA TV Award-nominated drama Euphoria from 2019 to now. In addition, he also has several impressive titles in his portfolio, including Assassination Nation, Malcolm & Marie, Operation: Endgame, and The Wizard of Lies.
7 This Won't Be The Singer's First Venture In Acting
This won't be The Weeknd's acting debut, as he has previously starred in several projects. After making his first foray into acting with the minor part where he played himself in Uncut Gems and his second in a Saturday Night Live skit, he penned the script for an episode of American Dad and starred in it. He'd also provided voice-over works for three characters in an episode of Robot Chicken.
“He’s [The Weeknd] a friend of ours, and he’s a real cinephile, Abel,” said Uncut Gem's director Josh Safdie to Variety. “Real cinephile. Like, one of his favorite filmmakers is (David) Cronenberg, and that makes sense, because he’s from Toronto. But he watches a lot of movies.”
6 The Show Will Enlist Reza Fahim As Creative Producer
The Weeknd's longtime collaborator Reza Fahim will also serve as one of the creative producers. After making his name in the nightlife industry, the Iranian native has somewhat switched to the acting world as his next destination.
"L.A. is a place for dreamers. It allows people to create new realities in its homes, in its buildings, in its films. My dream, I eventually decided, was to build magical spaces that would bring people together," he wrote for Vogue about his journey and how he has a circle full of A-list musicians, including The Weeknd.
5 What's The Story Behind 'The Idol'?
Story-wise, The Idol will center around a female singer who becomes entangled in a forbidden relationship with a nightclub owner who, little does she know, is the leader of a secret outlawed cult. We're unsure about which character The Weeknd will play, but we could expect him to play the nightlife guru.
4 The Weeknd Will Also Produce The Series' Original Soundtrack
The Weeknd will also likely produce the show's original soundtrack. Previously, the "Starboy" singer also contributed to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack album. He's featured on Sia's Diplo-produced electropop jam "Elastic Heart." He also joined rapper Kendrick Lamar for "Pray for Me" for Black Panther's soundtrack album and "Earned It" from 50 Shades of Grey.
3 Who Will Co-Star The Singer?
Unfortunately, up to this writing, The Weeknd is the only announced cast member. As noted from Harper Bazaar, Kevin Turner (Those Who Wish Me Dead), Aaron L. Gilbert (Joker), and Ashely Levinson (Malcolm & Marie) are also enlisted as executive producers. La Mar C. Taylor, the singer's XO Records co-founder, Mary Laws (Succession), and Wassim Slaiby will pen the project.
2 The Release Date & Trailer Are Still Unknown
As the show is currently in the development phase, it's safe not to expect a premiere any time soon. Fans will probably have to wait as earliest as 2022 or early 2023 for the premiere. Given the singer's strong ties to the music industry, we may also expect an IRL R&B star to join him in the show.
1 It Will Air On HBO
As mentioned, The Idol will air on HBO and join the streaming platform's laundry list of great cult and romance series and documentaries. The list includes The Vow, Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults, True Blood, and more.