Prime Video’s Étoile Cancellation Sparks Reflection on Art and Ballet’s Struggles

Prime Video’s decision to cancel Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino’s ballet-themed dramady Étoile after just one season has sent shockwaves through the high-end drama community. Despite this, the cast members, including Yanic Truesdale, Taïs Vinolo, and Ivan du Pontavice, remained positive at the recent SCAD Lacoste Film Festival in France’s Provence, where the show was screened and discussed before the cancellation news.

Ivan du Pontavice, who plays the passionate French dancer Gabin Roux, expressed pride in the project and the unique experience of portraying two world-renowned New York and Paris ballet companies collaborating to survive financial hardship. “We’re just celebrating the experience… it still feels very fresh,” he said.

Veteran actor Yanic Truesdale, known for his role as Michel Gerard in Gilmore Girls, reflected on the deep connections formed during filming. Playing ballet instructor Raphaël Marchand, Truesdale lamented the cancellation, highlighting his excitement for a potential second season, which he believed would allow the writers to fully explore the story’s potential. He even joked about launching a GoFundMe to save the show.

The cancellation, reported exclusively by Deadline, came after Étoile struggled to break into Nielsen’s Top 10 Originals and briefly peaked on Prime Video’s own charts. Taïs Vinolo, portraying the U.S.-trained French ballerina Mishi Duplessis, linked the show’s fate to the harsh realities of the classical ballet world, where financial pressures often stifle artistic potential.

Pontavice noted a shift in audience patience, saying viewers today expect immediate engagement and are quick to abandon shows that don’t capture their attention within a few episodes — a stark contrast to a decade ago.

Truesdale emphasized the show’s deeper message, calling it a “love letter to art” and a reminder of how art and culture are increasingly under threat. He expressed hope that this message would resonate despite the show’s early cancellation, underlining art’s essential role in maintaining our humanity.

Vinolo also praised Étoile’s representation of the ballet community, noting the diverse characters and identities portrayed, even if the narrative won’t continue.

Pontavice remains optimistic about the show’s lasting impact: “Despite the disappointment and cancellation… it’s had a huge impact in certain communities already. I think it’s there to stay and to grow.” The series may well build a dedicated following over time, with audiences slowly discovering and appreciating its nuanced portrayal of the ballet world.