Étoile Blends Ballet, Social Commentary on Prime Video

Prime Video's new series Étoile, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, follows two struggling ballet companies in New York and Paris who organize a high-stakes dancer swap inspired by real Cold War-era ballet exchanges to revive interest in the art post-pandemic. The series features Charlotte Gainsbourg and Luke Kirby as rival directors desperate to save their companies. Étoile blends witty dialogue with female-focused storytelling, exploring the declining state of the arts, the influence of social media, and the moral compromises tied to arts funding. Sherman-Palladino draws from her own dance background, infusing the narrative with both affection and critique for the ballet world. The show mixes escapism and social commentary, examining artistic passion and generational shifts within cultural institutions. While not based on a true story, its premise echoes the history of ballet diplomacy.