The Weeknd shares release date for drama series The Idol

After several delays, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye's drama series The Idol has finally gotten a premiere date. Tesfaye, his longtime collaborator Reza Fahim, and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson co-created the series, which will premiere on HBO on Sunday, June 4 at 9 pm.

The series is described as "the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood" and follows cult leader Tedros (Tefaye), who works in the entertainment industry. His life changes dramatically when he meets Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), a pop star and cult follower.

In addition to the release date, a new trailer was shared, providing a closer look at the characters of the show.

Watch the new teaser trailer for The Idol below:

Dan Levy, Rachel Sennott, Moses Sumnery, and Blackpink singer Jennie Kim round out the cast. K-pop idol Kim will make her acting debut under the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane.

Ahead of its premiere on television, the series will be screened at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, which will kick off on May 16. The Idol will screen under the Official Selection Out of Competition banner.

Recently, there have been rumours about staff changes, a new creative direction, and troubling script ideas akin to "sexual torture porn" that were allegedly thrown out. The rumours followed an investigation into The Idol, which was published by Rolling Stone last month.

The production crew expected a new director to film the finale and wrap production after show director Amy Seimetz left the show last year with most of it filmed.

According to Rolling Stone, Levinson cancelled the nearly finished "$54-75 million project [instead] to rewrite and reshoot the entire thing."