Étoile isn’t just a TV series — it’s an artistic collision between two worlds, two languages, and two styles of performance. Streaming now on Amazon’s Prime Video, the show is a creation of Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the Emmy-winning duo behind Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
With a signature mix of whip-smart dialogue, eccentric characters, and emotionally layered storytelling, Étoile enters new territory — the world of ballet, told through a transatlantic lens.
Dancing Across Two Continents
Set in both Paris and New York, Étoile follows two ballet companies navigating modern pressures while preserving their artistic roots. Paris offers history, hierarchy, and elegance; New York brings ambition, disruption, and energy. The narrative toggles between these cities, giving the audience a sweeping view of the ballet world from both sides of the Atlantic.
This dual setting provides more than aesthetic value — it fuels the story’s central tension. In a globalized creative space, can tradition and innovation coexist? That question lies at the heart of Étoile, both thematically and in the show’s production itself.
A Bilingual Breakthrough
What truly sets Étoile apart is its bilingual format. The script flows between English and French, making it one of the most ambitious linguistic undertakings in recent streaming television. French stars Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou de Laâge shine alongside American actors like Luke Kirby, Gideon Glick, and Yanic Truesdale — all veterans of Palladino’s previous series.
While Gainsbourg is no stranger to international cinema, Étoile marks her first major American TV role — and the transition wasn’t without its challenges. “In English, it was difficult because you needed a certain rhythm and a certain pace that you didn’t have to start with,” Gainsbourg admitted at the show’s New York premiere. “It took some energy to understand that that was my goal and understand that the words were important.”
Lou de Laâge, who described herself as a “huge fan” of Maisel, also found the rhythm of the Palladinos’ fast-paced scripts demanding. The actors even collaborated to tweak French translations, ensuring the comedic and dramatic timing worked across languages. “Our comedy in English and French is not the same — we don’t have the same music,” de Laâge explained. “We helped shape some of the French dialogue to make sure it hit the right notes.”
The Signature Palladino Style — With a Twist
Fans of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will recognize the Palladinos’ hallmark style: quick-fire conversations, dynamic ensemble casts, and emotionally resonant storytelling. But Étoile takes things further by weaving that sensibility into the precise and elegant world of ballet.
“There’s a lot of story here,” Amy Sherman-Palladino said. “Having both a historical ballet company and a younger, scrappier one gave us different kinds of bureaucracy, different kinds of issues, but also similar problems — like keeping an art form alive in a changing world.”
This broader canvas allows Étoile to explore themes of legacy, ambition, identity, and cultural collision. In doing so, the show expands the Palladinos’ creative universe without losing the character-driven heart that made their previous work beloved.
Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Leap of Faith
For Gainsbourg, joining Étoile was a leap into the unknown — and she embraced the risk. “It’s my first series in America, so it’s a big thing for me. It felt exciting,” she said. Although she only received the first four scripts before signing on, the Palladinos’ clear vision reassured her. “They answered all of the questions I had. I was nervous having only read four episodes out of eight… but they were very, very precise.”
Luke Kirby Takes Center Stage
A standout from Maisel, Luke Kirby steps into a co-lead role in Étoile, and the showrunners made it clear this wasn’t a coincidence. “We actually talked to him years ago about, ‘We want to do something for you,’” said Daniel Palladino. “Usually people like us are lying and forget about it. Years did go by, but we finally did this role.”
Kirby’s familiarity with the Palladino rhythm gave him a leg up, and his chemistry with Gainsbourg helps ground the series emotionally amid its ambitious scope.
Streaming Now on Prime Video
All eight episodes of Étoile Season 1 are now available on Prime Video, giving viewers the chance to binge the series in one elegant swoop. Whether you’re a fan of ballet, bilingual dramas, or the Palladinos’ trademark dialogue, Étoile offers something unique: a rare blend of artistry, humor, and heartfelt character work across languages and cultures.
