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Never one to rest on his laurels, The Weeknd is set to develop and star in his own HBO series.
The three-time Grammy Award winner has teamed up with ‘Euphoria’ creator Sam Levinson for the project. Currently titled “The Idol,” the series follows a female pop singer who begins a romance with an enigmatic L.A. club owner who also happens to be the leader of a secret cult.
While The Idol is still in concept stages at HBO, the buzz has already started to build, with The Weeknd set to be credited as co-writer and executive producer along with Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.
Despite being at the top of the music game – let’s not forget The Weeknd’s jaw-dropping Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year – teaming up with HBO represents a long term plan for the 31-year old.
He had previously dipped his toe in T.V., working in the writer’s room of the animated comedy American Dad in May 2020, when he co-wrote an episode titled “A Starboy Is Born” alongside American Dad and Robot Chicken writer Joel Hurwitz. He also played himself in the critically-acclaimed Safdie brothers film “Uncut Gems” opposite Adam Sandler.
Teaming up with Sam Levinson represents a significant win for The Weeknd, with Levinson’s ‘Euphoria’ critically lauded as one of the most moving series in recent years. ‘Euphoria’ debuted on HBO in 2019, earning multiple Emmy nominations for its first season, including a win for star Zendaya for best actress in a drama. A second season is expected later this year.
News of The Weeknd’s HBO series comes off the back of rumours that the Canadian musician may be dating Angelina Jolie. Last week, the pair was spotted dining at Hollywood restaurant Giorgio Baldi, though perhaps given his new HBO series, it was more business than pleasure.
