Prepare for an intoxicating behind-the-curtain look at the cutthroat world of professional ballet in Étoile, Prime Video’s most ambitious original series to date. When two legendary ballet companies on opposite sides of the Atlantic face financial ruin, their desperate artistic directors make a radical gamble: swapping their brightest stars in a high-stakes cultural exchange. What begins as a business arrangement soon ignites fiery artistic clashes, passionate romances, and career-defining performances that will leave viewers breathless.

This lavish eight-episode drama combines the backstage intensity of Black Swan with the cultural collision of Emily in Paris, all set against breathtaking ballet sequences choreographed by world-renowned artists. From the hallowed studios of Paris to the gritty rehearsal halls of New York, Étoile reveals the blood, sweat, and glittering artistry behind every perfect pirouette. The series boasts an extraordinary cast of real ballet stars alongside acclaimed actors, performing astonishing original choreography created specifically for the production.

Cast of Etoile

1- Luke Kirby as Jack McMillan

The Emmy-winning actor transforms into the intense artistic director of New York’s fictional Metropolitan Ballet Company, whose radical talent exchange program sets the drama in motion. Kirby brings a fascinating duality to the role – equal parts visionary and tyrant – as he gambles his company’s future on an unorthodox international collaboration. The actor trained for six months in ballet history and conducting to authentically portray the pressures of running a world-class institution.

Kirby’s performance captures the brutal realities of arts administration, from last-minute funding crises to managing superstar egos. His explosive rehearsal scenes with the dancers reveal a man both devoted to and destroyed by his art form. The actor’s real-life background in modern dance informs McMillan’s physicality, particularly in a stunning solo moment where he demonstrates choreography to skeptical dancers.

2- Charlotte Gainsbourg as Geneviève Lavigne

The legendary French actress delivers a career-best performance as the Paris Opera Ballet’s formidable directrice, whose icy professionalism masks deep vulnerabilities. Gainsbourg’s Lavigne represents old-world ballet tradition, clashing magnificently with Kirby’s American innovator throughout the cultural exchange. The actress learned to speak ballet terminology in French, English and Russian for the role.

Gainsbourg’s most powerful scenes explore the character’s painful past as a retired étoile, particularly when coaching young dancers through injuries. Her cat-and-mouse dynamic with Kirby evolves beautifully across the series, culminating in a breathtaking argument scene performed entirely through choreography during a dress rehearsal of Giselle.

3- LaMay Zhang as Susu Li

The Chinese-Australian ballet phenom makes her acting debut as the rebellious soloist caught between companies. Zhang’s real-life experience as a principal dancer brings electrifying authenticity to the role, particularly in the show-stopping 10-minute opening sequence where her character defects mid-performance.

Zhang’s dramatic scenes reveal impressive range as Susu navigates culture shock and artistic growing pains. The dancer-turned-actress performed all her own stunts, including a terrifying fall from pointe that was captured in one continuous take. Her chemistry with both companies’ dancers creates the series’ emotional core.

4- Yanic Truesdale as Raphaël Marchand

The Emily in Paris star surprises as the Paris company’s volatile ballet master, whose teaching methods walk the line between genius and abuse. Truesdale trained with legendary French ballet masters to perfect his character’s distinctive coaching style and accent.

Raphaël’s complex relationship with Lavigne provides the series’ most unexpected emotional arc. Truesdale’s background in musical theater shines during the character’s drunken karaoke breakdown set to Don Quixote’s score.

5- John Lam as Chen

The real-life Boston Ballet principal makes his screen debut as the exchange program’s reluctant peacekeeper. Lam brings quiet intensity to the role of a dancer torn between companies, cultures and choreographic styles.

His breathtaking Act III variation, choreographed by Justin Peck specifically for the series, represents the show’s thematic apex about artistic transcendence.

6- Ivan du Pontavice as Gabin Roux

The French newcomer steals scenes as the Paris company’s resident bad boy, whose affair with an American dancer threatens the entire exchange. Du Pontavice’s background in hip-hop fusion creates fascinating tension in his classical roles.

The actor’s improvisation during a disastrous Swan Lake rehearsal became one of the season’s most talked-about moments.

7- Unity Phelan as Julie

The New York City Ballet principal brings heartbreaking authenticity to the aging starlet facing replacement. Phelan’s final performance scene reduced the crew to tears during filming.

8- Omar Maskati as Julian

The Broadway veteran provides much-needed comic relief as the company’s resident pianist, whose secret compositions drive key plot points.