LaudedGilmore Girlscreator Amy Sherman-Palladino is releasing a new show this spring, but before that releases, audiences should watch her more underrated 2012 series.Sherman-Palladino’s career began in the 1990s as a TV writerfor series likeRoseanneandLove and Marriage, but she didn’t truly rise to stardom until she createdGilmore Girlsin 2000, which she also wrote and directed. Now known as a cult classic dramedy,Gilmore Girlstells the story of Lorelai Gilmoreand her daughter Rory living in their idyllic yet quirky New England town, Stars Hollow.
Sherman-Palladino is a renowned TV producer, yet some may be surprised to learn that she has only created a handful of TV series. More than that, some of them have had fewer than ten episodes in total, ending in sudden cancelations. For example, afterGilmore Girls’ending, Sherman-Palladino madeThe Return of Jezebel James,which only aired three episodes before being axed by Fox. For the most part, cancelations like this are a bad sign for a show, butthere is another Sherman-Palladino series that absolutely didn’t deserve its cancelation- and should be revisited before her new release.
Amy Sherman-Palladino’s New TV Show Explained
What Makes Étoile So Exciting
In April 2025, Sherman-Palladino is set torelease her latest series,Étoile.The show will follow the dancers and artistic teams behind two of the world’s most prestigious ballet companiesin New York and Paris. Hoping to revive interest in ballet and increase success, the companies decide to swap their most talented dancers. Though very little has been revealed about the series so far, besides a gallery of behind-the-scenes images, the cast includes former Sherman-Palladino collaborators like Luke Kirby, Gideon Glick, and Yanic Truesdale. Notably,Étoiletranslates to “star” in French.
Étoileis particularly exciting because it merges what Sherman-Palladino has already done with a refreshing new story. Based on the premise,Étoilewill see the return of some amazingSherman-Palladino actorsin more dramatically comedic roles, but will also explore a whole new world of ballet and high art. This will be quite a switch fromGilmore Girls’small-town ambience, and a step-up from the comedy scene that Sherman-Palladino explores inThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.It is too soon to tell, of course, butÉtoilecould be yet another quirky and colorful classic from Sherman-Palladino.
Before Étoile, Watch Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Other Ballet Show
Bunheads Didn’t Deserve To Be Canceled
Étoile’srelease will be huge for Sherman-Palladino fans, but before it comes out, viewers need to check out her previous ballet series,Bunheads.Released in 2012,the series focuses on Michelle, a woman who used to be a promising classically trained dancer but left her career behindfor a whirlwind marriage. Suddenly swept away to his hometown on the coast of California and in close proximity to his judgmental mother, Michelle finds solace in her new mother-in-law’s ballet class. Four teenage girls dance their hearts out, hoping to make it big.
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AlthoughBunheadswas canceled after just one season, the series was a bright spot in Sherman-Palladino’s career. Just likeGilmore Girls,the series was infused with her tell-tale wit and inspirational storytelling, yet with an entirely different kind of plot. Rather than focusing on mothers and daughters,Bunheadshoned in one sisterhood, identity, and the importance of pursuing your dreams. These are themes that came up in later Sherman-Palladino series, but were strengths inBunheadsthat didn’t get a chance to flourishfully.
Gilmore Girls Fans Will Love Bunheads' Cast
How Bunheads Will Prepare Viewers For Étoile
Another plus ofBunheadsis that it has yet another fantastic cast. Those who watchedGilmore Girls: A Year in the Lifewill recognize Kelly Bishop as Michelle’s mother-in-law, Julia Goldani Telle and Bailey De Young as ballet students, and Sutton Foster as the lead character. Of course, Bishop also appeared as Emily Gilmore throughout all seven seasons ofGilmore Girls.Suffice it to say,the cast ofBunheadshelps make the series even better. Each player perfectly embodies Sherman-Palladino’s dramedy spirit.
Truly Stone
Allie
Cast aside,Bunheadswill be a great precursor toÉtoile,mostly because both shows revolve around ballet.There will certainly be differences, asÉtoileis about professional ballet rather than a small ballet studio. However, the same themes may come up, such as sisterhood, appearance, and complicated relationships. In fact,Bunheadsmay provide the foundations for whatÉtoilewill eventually build on, as it introduces more mature characters and a more extensive world. FromGilmore GirlstoÉtoile,Amy Sherman-Palladino will hopefully continue to impress.
