The Idol consists of just five episodes, with the season finale airing this Sunday

The Idol has been one of HBO’s most-talked-about dramas in recent weeks, largely thanks to the controversy surrounding its over-the-top content. However, The Idol will wrap things up earlier than expected, as the season finale will launch this Sunday.

If you’re keeping track, the first season of The Idol will consist of just five episodes. The project was initially ordered as a six-episode series, but a source told TVLine that the behind-the-scenes turmoil changed the story’s direction. “The season ended up being five episodes when it was all said and done after Sam [Levinson] took over and made significant changes,” the source said. “The story only ended up requiring 5.“

“After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s (Lily-Rose Depp) last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America,” the official synopsis reads. “Her passions are reignited by Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?“

Amy Seimetz (The Killing) was slated to direct every episode of The Idol, but she stepped down in the midst of production. Multiple episodes had already been completed, but HBO announced that they would be reworked with changes to cast and crew. “The Idol’s creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction,” HBO said in a statement to Variety last April. “The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series. We look forward to sharing more information soon.”

It remains to be seen if The Idol will be renewed for a second season. There had been rumours that the show was always meant to be a limited series, but HBO tweeted, “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined. It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.“

The Idol season finale, “Jocelyn Forever,” will air this Sunday at 9/8c. You can check out a review of the series from our own Alex Maidy right here.