Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. Streaming Guides

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The Idol season 1, episode 1 release date, time, channel, and plot

By

With the conclusion of Succession, HBO now has a void in the coveted Sunday night slot. Enter The Idol, the next HBO drama series with aspirations of becoming a buzzworthy show. Lily-Rose Depp stars as Jocelyn, an aspiring pop star looking to become the world’s top artist after a nervous breakdown ended her previous tour. While planning a comeback, Jocelyn meets Tedros, played by Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, a self-help cult leader and nightclub owner who begins a tumultuous relationship with the singer.

Tesfaye co-created the series with Reza Fahim and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The Idol had a splashy debut at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it became a heated topic of discussion after critics panned the first two episodes. Yet, Levinson believes the attention will work in The Idol’s favor, with the potential to become the “biggest show of the summer.” With the premiere set for tonight, keep reading for information about the release date, time, channel, and plot for the first episode of The Idol season 1.

Recommended Videos

When does episode 1 of The Idol season 1 release?

The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp lounge in a car in The Idol.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Season 1, episode 1 of The Idol aired on June 4, 2023. The episode will air on HBO while simultaneously streaming on Max.

As of May 23, HBO Max is now known as Max due to the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia. Programs from Food Network, TLC, HGTV, and Discovery have now been added to Max. These shows include Alaskan Bush People, Chopped, Dr. Pimple Popper, Fixer Upper, and more. HBO shows and Warner Bros. movies will still be available on Max, including Succession, The Batman, Dune, Barry, and The Sopranos.

Related

What time does episode 1 of The Idol season 1 start?

The first episode of The Idol is now available to stream.

What is episode 1 of The Idol season 1 about?

The title of episode 1 is Pop Tarts & Rat Tales. “As Jocelyn preps for her triumphant return, a leaked photo sends her team into crisis mode — just as a journalist arrives to do an in-depth profile on her,” the official synopsis reads. “Later, Jocelyn has a chance encounter with nightclub owner Tedros.”

Can I watch a trailer for The Idol season 1?

Yes, you can! Watch below:

The Idol | Official Trailer | HBO

Who stars in episode 1 of The Idol season 1?

The episode 1 cast (per IMDB) includes Depp as Jocelyn, Tesfaye as Tedros, Suzanna Son as Chloe, Troye Sivan as Xander, Moses Sumney as Izaak, Jennie Ruby Jane as Dyanne, Dan Levy as Jocelyn’s publicist, Eli Roth as a Live Nation representative, Jane Adams as Nikki Katz, Hari Nef as Talia, Rachel Sennott as Leia, Mike Dean as a music producer, Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Destiny, Ramsey as herself, and Hank Azaria as Chaim.

How many episodes will be in The Idol season 1?

The first season of The Idol will consist of six episodes. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly.

Is The Idol worth watching?

A man holds on to a woman in The Idol.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Levinson has a track record of creating shows that dominate pop culture, inspire discussions, and foster passionate fanbases. Look at Euphoria, one of the five most-watched HBO series in the history of the network. If you’re interested in shows that generate discourse and move the needle, The Idol has a chance to do both.

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Idol sits at 25% on the Tomatometer and holds a 24 Metascore on Metacritic. Despite the poor reviews, this show will most likely trend on social media due to the graphic content and The Weeknd’s popularity.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Dan Girolamo
Dan Girolamo
Entertainment Writer
Dan is a passionate and multitalented content creator with experience in pop culture, entertainment, and sports. Throughout…
Secret Invasion season 1, episode 1 release date, time, channel, and plot
Samuel L. Jackson stares in the air in Secret Invasion.

Where in the world is Nick Fury? When we last saw the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury was taking a vacation on a Skrull spaceship in the post-credits of Spider-Man: Far From Home. On Earth, Talos and Soren were disguised as Fury and Maria Hill. It's been four years since that post-credits scene, and Fury finally returns to the MCU in the new Disney+ series Secret Invasion.

Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as Fury, who returns to Earth to investigate a covert mission by a faction of Skrulls seeking to invade and conquer Earth. To stop the Skrull invasion, Fury seeks help from three allies: Hill (Cobie Smulders), Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). The spy thriller is the first Disney+ TV series in Phase Five of the MCU.
When does episode 1 of Secret Invasion season 1 release?

Read more
The Idol season 1, episode 3 release date, time, channel, and plot
Jocelyn poses on a table in The Idol.

With the conclusion of Succession, HBO now has a void in the coveted Sunday night slot. Enter The Idol, the next HBO drama series with aspirations of becoming a buzzworthy show. Lily-Rose Depp stars as Jocelyn, an aspiring pop star looking to become the world's top artist after a nervous breakdown ended her previous tour. While planning a comeback, Jocelyn meets Tedros, played by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, a self-help cult leader and nightclub owner who begins a tumultuous relationship with the singer.

Tesfaye co-created the series with Reza Fahim and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The Idol had a splashy debut at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it became a heated topic of discussion after critics panned the first two episodes. Yet, Levinson believes the attention will work in The Idol's favor, with the potential to become the "biggest show of the summer." Keep reading for information about the release date, time, channel, and plot for episode 3 of The Idol season 1.
When does episode 3 of The Idol season 1 release?

Read more
The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1, episode 1 release date, time, channel, and plot
Maggie and Negan standing together looking down at something in the dark in a scene from The Walking Dead: Dead City.

The Walking Dead franchise is forcing two unlikely allies to team up in its latest spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City. Lauren Cohan reprises her role as Maggie Green, the longtime main group member and widow of Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun). Jeffrey Dean Morgan is Negan, the once-ruthless leader of the Saviors who eventually reformed and joined forces with the main group. What makes Maggie and Negan an improbable duo? Negan beat Glenn to death with a barbed baseball bat named Lucille.

Several years after the events of The Walking Dead finale, Maggie now finds herself in a dire situation. Her son has been kidnapped and taken to postapocalyptic and secluded Manhattan. While attempting a rescue, Maggie stumbles upon Negan. Negan agrees to help the desperate Maggie find her son in Manhattan. A Walking Dead show means zombies are not far behind, as Manhattan is full of the dead. Yet, it's those that are still alive who may pose the biggest threat.
When does episode 1 of The Walking Dead: Dead City release?
The Walking Dead: Dead City's first episode premieres Sunday, June 18, on AMC. Dead City episodes will be available to stream through the AMC website and in the AMC app. Log in with your TV provider for access.

Read more