Étoile: A Ballet Drama Bridging New York and Paris

In April 2025, Prime Video unveiled Étoile, a dazzling new series set in the rarefied world of ballet. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino—the creative duo behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Gilmore Girls—the show pirouettes between two iconic cities, New York and Paris, as it explores the cultural and emotional dynamics of high-stakes dance.

The premise is as ambitious as a grand jeté: two storied ballet companies, each facing dwindling audiences and internal turmoil, agree to swap principal dancers in a bold cultural exchange. As the dancers adjust to new cities, new colleagues, and radically different rehearsal styles, tensions arise—but so do moments of magic. The series offers a thoughtful, sometimes biting look at tradition, innovation, and the sacrifices artists make to stay on top.

Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-skirt-and-ballet-shoes-5255006/

Set against breathtaking backdrops—Paris’s Palais Garnier and the Marais, New York’s Lincoln Center and grittier downtown studios—Étoile is as much about the cities as it is about the art. The visual storytelling captures not only the grace of dance but also the raw edge of ambition.

The ensemble cast is impressive: French actress Lou de Laâge shines as Cheyenne Toussaint, a magnetic but temperamental Parisian star suddenly transplanted into New York’s intense ballet ecosystem. Real-life New York City Ballet principal Unity Phelan plays Julie, a rising American talent navigating the Parisian scene with poise and curiosity. Charlotte Gainsbourg brings quiet authority as the French company’s director, while Emmy-winner Luke Kirby plays her more volatile American counterpart. Also making welcome appearances are Kelly Bishop and Yanic Truesdale—familiar faces to Gilmore Girls fans.

Photo by Nicolas Sosa: https://www.pexels.com/photo/elegant-ballerina-doing-a-performance-13466040/

While some critics have noted tonal shifts between its comedy and drama, Étoile stands out for its authenticity and unique transatlantic setting. The show captures the tension between classical purity and modern reinvention—a conversation happening in ballet companies worldwide. It’s also a meditation on discipline, artistry, and how dancers from vastly different backgrounds can still find shared rhythm.

Whether you’re a ballet aficionado or just someone who appreciates high-quality drama and cultural nuance, Étoile offers an elegant escape. All eight episodes are available now on Prime Video.

🎥 Watch the official trailer here: Étoile – Official Trailer | Prime Video

Header Photo Credit: Nicolas Sosa https://www.pexels.com/photo/elegant-ballerina-doing-a-performance-13466040/

About the Author

Vincent Laroche is one of our Los Angeles correspondent. Vincent is a seasoned journalist and cinema aficionado with a keen eye for entertainment. Hailing from Paris and educated at Sorbonne University in Film and Music, Vincent brings a wealth of expertise to his coverage of lavish galas, festivals, and must-see shows. When he's not uncovering Hollywood's and Cannes's latest gems, you can find him indulging in his passions for the piano, astronomy, sci-fi literature, and vintage cars.