Meta movement: Can ‘Etoile’ bring ballet into the 21st century?

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the dynamic duo behind Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, are back with Étoile, a Prime Video series that pirouettes into the high-stakes world of international ballet. Premiering April 24, 2025, the show follows two prestigious ballet companies in New York and Paris as they swap their top dancers in a bid to rejuvenate their art and attract modern audiences.With a cast blending seasoned actors and real-life ballet stars, Étoile aims to bridge the gap between classical dance and contemporary culture.

The team behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel — Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino — are swapping mic drops for pointe shoes with their new Prime Video series Étoile. Set between New York and Paris, the show follows two struggling ballet companies forced into an uneasy alliance to stay afloat — and yes, there’s real floating: lifts, leaps, and pirouettes performed by real ballet dancers.

Think Bunheads meets Emily in Paris (with a lot more leg warmers) crossed with the classic The Turning Point. Étoile knows its survival depends on the dancing — and it doesn’t fake a single step.

Prime Video’s Étoile pirouettes onto screens, blending the elegance of ballet with modern storytelling. The series follows two prestigious ballet companies in New York and Paris as they swap their top dancers to rejuvenate their art and attract fresh audiences.

“Ballet is one of those things you can’t fake,” says actor David Alvarez, a Tony Award-winner from Billy Elliot and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. “Any dancer can spot a fraud just by how you walk.”

Alvarez plays Gael, a hot-tempered dancer tangled up with Cheyenne (Lou de Laâge), a stormy prima ballerina — or étoile — who heads to New York as part of an ambitious talent swap. Meanwhile, their bosses, Jack (Luke Kirby) and Geneviève (Charlotte Gainsbourg), run companies that are barely-disguised versions of the New York City Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet.

Tobias (Gideon Glick) in ÉTOILE Photo: PHILIPPE ANTONELLO © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

This isn’t just a dance drama

It’s a meta-commentary on ballet’s quest for relevance. By casting real-life dancers like Constance Devernay and Tiler Peck, Étoile offers an authentic glimpse into the ballet world, aiming to demystify the art form and showcase its rigorous demands. (time.com)

Historically, ballet has grappled with perceptions of elitism and a predominantly older audience. However, initiatives like the New York City Ballet’s affordable pricing and collaborations with artists like Solange have successfully attracted younger patrons. Étoile could further this trend, making ballet more accessible and appealing to a diverse, modern audience.

Sherman-Palladino, who trained in ballet as a child (and has the back surgeries to prove it, jokes her husband), wanted the show to highlight dancers as true athletes.

“These are artists who knowingly go into a career where you’re guaranteed not to make money. They do it because they love it,” she says. “They’re ridiculously strong. What they can do with their bodies is insane.”

For her, ballet is like a silent film: “It’s storytelling without words — it’s heartbreak, it’s joy, it’s love.”

Étoile isn’t just a show; it’s a cultural catalyst. By spotlighting ballet’s intensity and artistry, it challenges the stuffy stereotype, making the art form more relatable. This could inspire ballet companies to modernize, attracting younger, more diverse audiences.

Addressing inclusivity in dance

Historically, ballet has been perceived as exclusive, with audiences expecting to see white ballerinas on stage. A 2023 study from the University of Connecticut highlighted this bias, emphasizing the need for greater inclusivity. Étoile addresses this by featuring a diverse cast, reflecting a more inclusive ballet world. The New York City Ballet’s recent success in attracting younger audiences through affordable pricing and collaborations with contemporary artists demonstrates the potential for modernization. apnews.com Étoile could further this trend, encouraging ballet companies to embrace current media landscapes and engage new demographics.

Ballet’s screen revival

Prime Video’s Étoile isn’t just a dance drama; it’s a meta-commentary on ballet’s quest for relevance. The show’s narrative, centered on two ballet companies swapping top dancers, mirrors real-life efforts to rejuvenate the art form. By blending traditional ballet with contemporary storytelling, Étoile has the potential to bridge the gap between classical dance and today’s pop culture, ushering ballet into the 21st century.

And if you want to know how seriously real dancers take their craft? Just try touching their pointe shoes.

On set, when crew members offered to help sew the ribbons, Vinolo had to politely refuse. “I have a very specific way,” she laughs. “And I don’t like people touching my shoes.”

David Alvarez nods in instant understanding. “Good for balancing,” he says.

In Étoile, it’s that realness — on stage and off — that might just make ballet cooler than it’s ever been.