There’s no denying the love for dance that flows throughout Étoile, the Sherman-Palladinos’ passion project for Prime Video.
In this Étoile Prime Video review, we examine how Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino scale up from their modest Bunheads ballet school to grand cultural capitals—only to trip over melodrama that sometimes overshadows the glittering choreography.
1. A Grand Stage for Ballet Storytelling
Étoile (“star” in French) opens with a bold gambit: drop all eight episodes at once.
As the series swirls between Lincoln Center in New York and the Palais Garnier in Paris, “in a too-much-is-too-much binge,” viewers may find themselves craving a breather between the furious dialogue and lavish dance numbers.
The show’s ambition is clear: “We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things”—no wait, that’s the wrong series—yet Étoile certainly chases its own epic vision.
2. Characters Who Dance and Speak in Equal Measure
Lead executive director Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby) furrows through crises at the Metropolitan Ballet Theater.
He’s joined by his Parisian counterpart, Geneviève Lavigne (Charlotte Gainsbourg), whose manic energy underscores her career stake: “If this experiment doesn’t work, I’m out of a job.” Both executives drive the drama, but it’s the artists who truly shine.
- Cheyenne Toussaint (Lou de Laâge): The intense étoile diva whose Medusa-like glare can freeze dancers mid-pirouette.
- Tobias Bell (Gideon Glick): The “helpless genius” choreographer whose improvisations propel—and imperil—the company.
- SuSu (LaMay Zhang): The bright-eyed prodigy discovered practicing alone after hours.
In one interview sequence, Cheyenne declares, “Dance lets you float above it all…to dance in the clouds, to feel what I feel, to hear my song.” That line, delivered in glorious close-up, encapsulates Étoile’s core appeal.
3. When Grace Turns to Melodrama
Despite shimmering ballet sequences, this Étoile Prime Video review notes uneven pacing.
Moments of real emotional depth—like Cheyenne mentoring SuSu—are too often eclipsed by “tiresomely melodramatic histrionics.” Characters spend lengthy scenes venting inner turmoil rather than letting choreography tell the story. At times, you may wish they’d “just shut up and get on with the dance.”
4. Bunheads 2.0: Racing for the Spotlight
Fans of Bunheads will spot several homages: Kelly Bishop and Yanic Truesdale make amusing cameos, and Aaron Zilch’s refrains recall earlier Sherman-Palladino musicals.
Yet Étoile dresses its ambitions in haute couture: larger venues, bigger stakes, and a deeper dive into cultural politics via Crispin Shamblee (Simon Callow), whose “deep-pocketed and debauched” philanthropy keeps the company afloat but at ethical cost.
5. Production Values and Visual Flourishes
Prime Video spares no expense: crystal-clear camera work captures arabesques and grand jetés in breath-stealing detail.
Costume designer Sarah Britt takes ballet whites and tulle into haute couture realms, while Eric Winter’s lighting transforms stage wings into moody sanctuaries. In this Étoile Prime Video review, the series earns high marks when it “gives itself up to that starry-eyed euphoria.”
6. Standout Performances
- Luke Kirby brings gravitas but often wears a perpetually furrowed brow as Jack.
- Charlotte Gainsbourg oscillates between vulnerability and volatility, anchoring Geneviève in uncompromising passion.
- Lou de Laâge elevates Cheyenne from mere prima donna to a nuanced mentor, especially in scenes with SuSu.
When the cast aligns—dialogue, dance, and drama simultaneously in harmony—Étoile transcends soap-opera clichés.
7. Final Take: Is Étoile Worth the Leap?
This Étoile Prime Video review finds a show of dazzling highs and occasional missteps. If you savor extended dance sequences, backstage intrigue, and Sherman-Palladino’s lightning-fast banter, Étoile delivers. Just be prepared for stretches where the plot pauses mid-spin for emotional monologues that risk outshining the choreography.
Étoile, Series Premiere (eight episodes), Thursday, April 24, Prime Video
