The Idol cast: Full list of actors and characters in HBO drama
The series comes from Euphoria's Sam Levinson and The Weeknd.
Jocelyn is finally here.
The controversial new series The Idol has finally arrived on HBO and Sky and has been described as "a provocative drama set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s music industry".
The series has garnered even more attention recently after premiering at this year's Festival de Cannes before it arrived on 5th June 2023 on Sky Atlantic.
The cast of the show is led by Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, who is determined to regain her stance in the music industry but meets a mysterious nightclub impresario, played by Abel Tesfaye, who is best known for being Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer The Weeknd.
The Idol has been co-created by Euphoria's Sam Levinson, Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, but who else stars in the drama? Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of The Idol.
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The Idol cast: Full list of actors and characters in HBO drama
The full list of cast members in the new series is as follows and read on for information on the main cast.
- Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn
- Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye as Tedros Tedros/Mauricio Costello Jackson
- Suzanna Son as Chloe
- Troye Sivan as Xander
- Jane Adams as Nikki Katz
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Destiny
- Rachel Sennott as Leia
- Moses Sumney as Izaak
- Dan Levy as Benjamin
- Jennie Ruby Jane as Dyanne
- Hank Azaria as Chaim
- Hari Nef as Talia Shire
- Eli Roth as Andrew Finkelstein
- Mike Dean as Himself
- Ramsey as Ramsey
- Mitch Modes as Mitch
- Sophie Mudd as Sophie
- Melanie Liburd as Jenna
- Karl Glusman as Ray
- Alexa Demie as Maddy Perez
Read more about the major players below.
Lily-Rose Depp plays Jocelyn
Who is Jocelyn? Jocelyn is a pop idol who has a nervous breakdown that derailed her last tour. So, she is now determined to claim her "rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America". When she meets Tedros, her passions are reignited, and she now must navigate this new relationship.
Where have I seen Lily-Rose Depp? Depp's acting career began with a cameo role in Tusk, where she worked alongside her father, Johnny Depp. She has had roles in The Dancer, Planetarium and The King, but is making her TV series debut in The Idol. As a model, Rose-Depp has been the brand ambassador for Chanel since 2015.
Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye plays Tedros
Who is Tedros? Described as "a nightclub impresario with a sordid past", Tedros is the leader of a modern-day cult and begins a relationship with Jocelyn. As per the synopsis: "Will his relationship with her take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?"
Where have I seen Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye? Tesfaye made his acting debut in Uncut Gems but is best known for his music under the performance name of The Weeknd. The Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer has enjoyed commercial success and critical acclaim for his albums, currently holding multiple Billboard chart records and having won four Grammy awards.
Rachel Sennott plays Leia
Who is Leia? Leia is Jocelyn's best friend and personal assistant.
Where have I seen Rachel Sennott? The American actress and comedian is perhaps best known for her roles in Shiva Baby, Bodies Bodies Bodies and online comedy television series Ayo and Rachel Are Single, which she did with with The Bear's Ayo Edebiri.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph plays Destiny
Who is Destiny? One of the more confident members of Jocelyn's team.
Where have I seen Da’Vine Joy Randolph? An American actress and singer, Randolph first gained recognition for her role in the Broadway's Ghost: The Musical, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. More recently, she's starred in High Fidelity, The Lost City and Only Murders in the Building.
Moses Sumney plays Izaak
Who is Izaak? All we know about Izaark is that he's a follower of Tedros. Could his loyalty to the modern-day cult leader be his own downfall?
Where have I seen Moses Sumney? The singer-songwriter is making his acting debut in The Idol but is best known for his musical talents, having been an opening act for the likes of James Black and Solange Knowles.
Troye Sivan plays Xander
Who is Xander? Xander is Jocelyn's creative director and a childhood friend who hides his own vocal talents.
Where have I seen Troye Sivan? The Australian singer, songwriter, actor and former YouTube star is well-recognised for his music and has three studio albums. In terms of acting, Sivan portrayed the young Wolverine in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and has starred in Spud and Boy Erased, but will be making his TV series debut in The Idol.
Dan Levy plays Benjamin
Who is Benjamin? Benjamin is Jocelyn's publicist who is clearly trying to get her on the best covers and with the best coverage and clashes with Tedros.
Where have I seen Dan Levy? Levy rose to international prominence after his starring role in Schitt's Creek as David Rose, a series he co-created with his father Eugene and starred in with his sister Sarah. Since the Emmy Award-winning sitcom wrapped, he has appeared in Coastal Elites, Modern Family and is set to star in the upcoming fourth season of Sex Education.
Jennie Ruby Jane plays Dyanne
Who is Dyanne? Dyanne is a dancer and one of Jocelyn's friends who is along for the wild ride of fun when the pair attend Tedros's nightclub where Jocelyn meets him for the first time.
Where have I seen Jennie Ruby Jane? Often known by her stage name of Jennie, the Korean popstar is best known for being one of the members of Blackpink but is also a solo artist. She makes her acting debut in The Idol.
Hank Azaria plays Chaim
Who is Chaim? Chaim is Jocelyn's co-manager and, from the looks of his characters in the clips, he's a supporter of the new image she's portraying under Tedros's guidance – or is he?
Where have I seen Hank Azaria? The American comedian and actor is best known for his voice acting, having voiced several characters in The Simpsons, but has also starred in Friends, The Smurfs, Huff and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.
Jane Adams plays Nikki Katz
Who is Nikki Katz? Katz is a record label executive who is confused about some of the routes of Jocelyn's new campaign to reinvent herself but is never afraid to be provocative.
Where have I seen Jane Adams? Adams has most recently been on our screens in Emmy Award-winning Hacks, but has starred in numerous productions over the years which include You've Got Mail, Hung, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Frasier.
Hari Nef plays Talia
Who is Talia? A writer for Vanity Fair who specialises in celebrity profiles and who interviews Jocelyn.
Where have I seen Hari Nef? Nef is a transgender actress and model best known for her roles in Transparent, You, And Just Like That, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and her film role in Sam Levinson's Assassination Nation.
Suzanna Son plays Chloe
Who is Chloe? Chloe is a devoted follower of Tedros. Will she clash with Jocelyn?
Where have I seen Suzanna Son? Suzanna Son is a relative newcomer acclaimed for her performance in the film Red Rocket.
Eli Roth plays Andrew Finkelstein
Who is Andrew Finkelstein? A sharp-tongued representative of events promoter Live Nation who is invested in the performance of Jocelyn's live tours.
Where have I seen Eli Roth? Roth is a film director who has helmed the films Cabin Fever, Hostel, Hostel Part II, Knock Knock, the Death Wish remake, and The House with a Clock in its Walls. Roth also starred as Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds.
Karl Glusman plays Ray
Who is Ray? Jocelyn's ex-boyfriend and an actor whose explicit image of her was leaked.
Where have I seen Karl Glusman? The American actor is best known for his roles in the films Love, The Neon Demon, Nocturnal Animals, and Greyhound. Glusman has also appeared in the series Gypsy and Devs.
The Idol will air on HBO in the US and on 5th June on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK – sign up for Sky TV here.
Looking for something else to watch? Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
