Photo by: Eddy Chen/HBO
The long-awaited (and much discussed) HBO Original drama series The Idol premiered last Sunday, June 4 after having its first 2 episodes premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in May. Co-created by Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, the series follows popstar Jocelyn (played by Lily-Rose Depp) who is trying to make a comeback after suffering a mental health collapse. She soon meets nightclub owner/self-help guru/cult leader Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye) who begins to transform Jocelyn both musically and emotionally.
The series has been met with controversy after director Amy Seimetz left the project resulting in several scenes and episodes being reshot. The new direction led to The Idol being depicted as “torture porn” followed by a less than ecstatic premiere at Cannes, with a current Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 27%.
The Idol still offers an interesting look into the music industry and the team behind a musician’s career (as seen in the very first episode). If you’re looking for more shows about the music industry (whether you enjoy The Idol or not), here are 8 series to stream.
Atlanta (2016-2022)
Cast: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, Khris Davis, RJ Walker, Emmett Hunter, Dennis LA White, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Lucius Baston
Synopsis: “Young rapper Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles and his manager cousin, Earn Marks, try to build their music careers in Atlanta with the support of their best friends, Darius and Van.”
Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu
Dave (2020 – )
Cast: Lil Dicky (Dave Burd), Andrew Santino, Taylor Misiak, GaTa, Travis Bennett, Christine Ko, Gina Hecht, David Paymer, Benny Blanco
Synopsis: “Dave centers on a neurotic man in his late 20s who has convinced himself that he’s destined to be one of the best rappers of all time. Now he must convince his closest friends, because with their help, he actually might convince the world. Simultaneously exasperating and inspiring to his friends, he vows to leave no stone unturned on his quest to become the next superstar. The half-hour comedy is based on the life of rapper and comedian Dave Burd, better known by his stage name Lil Dicky.”
Where to watch: FXX, Hulu
Empire (2015-2020)
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers, Bryshere Y. Gray, Serayah McNeill, Gabourey Sidibe, Grace Byers, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Rumer Willis, Bre-Z, Nicole Ari Parker, A. Z. Kelsey, Andre Royo
Synopsis: “A hip-hop mogul must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.”
Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu, Vudu
George & Tammy (2022 miniseries)
Cast: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Katy Mixon, Steve Zahn, Kelly McCormack, Walton Goggins, Kate Arrington, David Wilson Barnes, Abby Glover, Pat Healy
Synopsis: “A look at the romance between famed country musicians George Jones and Tammy Wynette”
Where to watch: Paramount+, Showtime
The Get Down (2016-2017)
Cast: Justice Smith, Jaden Smith, Herizen Guardiola, Shameik Moore, Tremaine Brown Jr., Skylan Brooks, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mamoudou Athie, Jimmy Smits, Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Genao, Stefanee Martin, Daveed Diggs, Shyrley Rodriguez, Billy Porter, Zabryna Guevara, Sebastian Chacon, Noah Le Gros
Synopsis: “The Get Down is a mythic saga of how New York at the brink of bankruptcy gave birth to a new art form. Set in New York in 1977, this music-driven drama series chronicles the rise of hip-hop and the last days of disco told through the lives, music, art and dance of the South Bronx kids who would change the world forever.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Pistol (2022 miniseries)
Cast: Toby Wallace, Jacob Slater, Anson Boon, Louis Partridge, Sydney Chandler, Christian Lees, Talulah Riley, Maisie Williams, Emma Appleton, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Synopsis: “The furious, raging storm at the center of this revolution are the Sex Pistols- and at the center of this series is Sex Pistols’ founding member and guitarist, Steve Jones. Jones’ hilarious, emotional and at times heart-breaking journey guides us through a kaleidoscopic telling of three of the most epic, chaotic and mucus-spattered years in the history of music.”
Where to watch: Hulu, Plex
Selena: The Series (2020-2021)
Cast: Christian Serratos, Julio Macias, Noemí González, Madison Taylor Baez, Jesse Posey, Gabriel Chavarria, Natasha Perez, Seidy López, Ricardo Antonio Chavira, Eric Aragon
Synopsis: “Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice. Selena: The series explores her journey from singing small gigs to becoming the most successful female Latin artist of all time — and the years of hard work and sacrifice the Quintanilla family navigated together.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Star (2016-2019)
Cast: Jude Demorest, Brittany O’Grady, Ryan Destiny, Amiyah Scott, Benjamin Bratt, Queen Latifah, Luke James, Chad Buchanan, Matthew Noszka, Brandy, Lance Gross, Patti LaBelle, Evan Ross, Jack Yang, Stephen Dorff, Justin Marcel McManus, William Levy
Synopsis: “Three talented singers, desperate for a new start and with ambitions of stardom, navigate the cut-throat music business on their road to success.”
Where to watch: Hulu
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