I Love Amazon’s New Amy Sherman-Palladino Show Étoile, But My Favorite Part Of The Series Was So Unexpected

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In her younger days, Amy Sherman-Palladino was a dancer and an intriguing tale exists about her decision to write for Roseanne instead of a dancing part in Cats. Given this background, it’s not astonishing that dance has found its way into many of her shows over the years. Although Bunheads, a popular show among these, was unfortunately canceled, her current production, Étoile, is now even more gracefully executing the ballet’s most precise movements.

If you haven’t been enjoying Amazon Prime TV’s offerings, you might want to reconsider and give Étoile a try. Luke Kirby, best known from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, takes center stage here as a ballet director struggling to maintain order while preserving his family’s reputation. The rapid and exaggerated dialogue penned by Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino touches on various subjects, including Crest toothpaste and bulls disrupting press conferences. However, what truly sets this eight-episode series apart is something else entirely that I found captivating.

Even I Was Surprised By The Moment I Looked Forward To Most Each Episode

Most of Amy Sherman-Palladino’s work, notably “Gilmore Girls” and its finale, is characterized by a unique style that only she can deliver. These shows masterfully blend humor with heartfelt moments, making each episode enjoyable. Interestingly, my preferred parts in every episode are the scenes during the end credits.

As the screen unveils the studio’s title, I, as an ardent fan, am granted a backstage pass into the genuine world of these dynamic dancers. Candidly, I witness them leaning casually against a wall, exchanging stories, or meticulously stretching their pointe shoes. Occasionally, they’re found lounging with books nearby, and constantly, they’re seen flexing their muscles in preparation for the next performance. Though each episode offers a fair share of dancing, this behind-the-scenes footage is rawer, more authentic, and honestly, it’s what I eagerly anticipate most.

You might not have given these scenes much focus due to Amazon Prime frequently transitioning to the next episode prematurely, making it feel like we’re not fully immersed in the content. However, what captivates me about these behind-the-scenes (BTS) clips is their unique ability to provide a glimpse into the daily life of actors on set and dancers at work, not just for performance or sport. This portrayal seems more authentic than most ballet depictions I’ve encountered on TV previously.

During filming for the TV series Étoile, Constance Devernay – a professional ballet dancer and body double – revealed to Time that dance classes were held between shoots. It’s believed this is where much of the rawer footage was captured. This practice allowed the dancers to bond effectively as they had diverse backgrounds and belonged to various companies before joining the show.

Although it isn’t typically considered a company, in a sense, we did create something akin to one – a ballet company, as dancers were the ones who established it.

The show includes some everyday life clips as well, but what truly captivates me is how they conclude each episode. I believe that if they skillfully intersperse these authentic moments with Amy Sherman-Palladino’s distinctive style, the series could significantly improve.

Despite just recently premiering on April 24th of the 2025 TV schedule, the show has already caused a stir and made it onto Amazon’s Top 10 list. I’ve almost finished watching the first season, and I’m optimistic that it will be renewed, as Amy Sherman-Palladino’s shows typically are. We’ll have to keep our fingers crossed and see if it gains as much attention as Marvelous Mrs. Maisel before its conclusion, but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy picking up on the pop culture references.

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2025-05-12 00:51