Network: Starz
Episodes: Eight (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: November 8, 2015 — December 27, 2016
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Sarah Hay, Ben Daniels, Irina Dvorovenko, Sascha Radetsky, Raychel Diane Weiner, Emily Tyra, Josh Helman, Damon Herriman, Tina Benko, Karrell Williams, Patrick Page, and Tovah Feldshuh.
TV show description:
This drama follows emotionally wounded ballerina, Claire Robbins (Sarah Hay), as she joins New York’s American Ballet Company (ABC). Claire’s talent and ambitions are in conflict with her self-destructive nature. Rudderless, Claire navigates this new, dysfunctional world, even as she is confronted by her past.
The bipolar, bisexual Paul Grayson (Ben Daniels), is founder and artistic director of the ABC. Once a celebrated dancer, Paul is driven to make ABC the premier ballet company, and he sees Claire as a tool in achieving that goal. While he fancies himself as one who nurtures the dancers in his charge, he demands an unhealthy degree of loyalty from them. Paul’s quicksilver temperament keeps the dancers on their toes.
Quick-witted New Jerseyan, Mia (Emily Tyra), is assigned to room with Claire. Mia hides her insecurities and her mommy-issues behind her sharp sense of humor. Although she struggles with an eating disorder, and doesn’t put a lot of thought into her sexual choices, Mia is determined to succeed as a dancer, in order to prove her worth. Will she be able to deal with the consequences of her ill-conceived actions?
Claire’s big brother, Bryan (Josh Helman), served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines for three years, at his father’s insistence. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Bryan, who is suffering from PTSD, is overly-focused on and dependent upon his little sister.
The homeless Romeo (Damon Herriman) lives beneath Claire and Mia’s building and is convinced it is his duty to protect them, and all of the people in “his” building. Bright and sweet, Romeo is living with untreated schizophrenia, which contributes to his peculiar take on the world. To Romeo, Claire’s arrival seems a portent connected to the book he’s writing. While Romeo always wants to do right, his nature and illness sometimes leave him unbalanced.
Ukrainian-immigrant, prima ballerina Kiira (Irina Dvorovenko), is a born and bred competitor. As star of the ABC, she has long served as Paul’s inspiration. Even though she plans for a good life after her dancing days are done, Kiira can barely stomach the thought of life offstage. Seeing Claire as a professional threat, Kiira tortures herself to stay on top.
Unruly, free-spirited Daphne (Raychel Diane Weiner), is a child of privilege, who is desperate to perfect her art, regardless of her wealthy family’s disdain for her vocation. Daphne shakes it off, literally, at the high-end gentleman’s club, Anastasia.
Jessica Jordan (Tina Benko) left the ballet to marry and start a family. Divorced, this single mother must return to work, to support her child. As the ABC’s Company Manager, Jessica resolves to succeed for the sake of her company and her family.
Leading man and philanderer, Ross (Sascha Radetsky), is a principal dancer. He’s also Kiira’s ex-lover and longtime dance partner. Used to relying on his charm and talent to get him anything he wants, Ross realizes his status at ABC is not nearly as secure as he once thought, thanks to Paul.
Out and proud, the snarky Trey (Karell Williams), is adored but feared by the ballerinas. He also manages to insinuate himself into Ross’s life. This brutally funny, merciless opportunist is one fierce adversary. How far will he go to get what he wants?
Gentleman-mobster, Sergei Zelenkov (Patrick Page), is a wealthy ballet aficionado. His ill-gotten gains flow not only from his Anastasia strip club, but also from his dealings with the Russian mob. Dangerous, Sergei will not allow anyone to thwart his aspirations to be accepted into the inner-circle of ballet patronage.
Series Finale:
Episode #8 — Scorched Earth
Kira’s decision throws opening night into disarray. Daphne finds herself in the spotlight while Claire rises to artistic transcendence. Meanwhile, Romeo’s prophecy is revealed.
First aired: December 27, 2015.
What do you think? Do you like the Flesh and Bone TV show? Do you think it should have been renewed for a second season?
A brilliantly written , directed and performed series by so many amazing talents collected into one show that allowed the viewer to watch at his and his wife’s leisure over a weekend. The choreography was glorious, the story line so deeply dark and dense that as the viewer entered into the horror story of the human condition so twistingly manifested into the brutally competitive world of ballet that one could only pause and reflect about the madness of art and the human mind. Kudos to all who acted, wrote and produced this work of art with the hope that the… Read more »
The series has been canceled.
I actually subscribed to Superchannel just so I could continue watching Flesh and bone! They teased us with a free preview and I had to see more. Watched all 8 episodes in two days and really hoping fir season 2!!!! Brilliant dancing!
Please continue this series. I enjoyed it so much. Very different.
I bungled watched all day today. Please do NOT cancel!
I won’t say I Loved it , I will say how ever that I expected more Dancing and more about the Production of the Ballet they were producing ! The Dark Story Line was refreshing how ever I could have done without the Incest scene , I did not care for it . Claire was so Beautiful to watch dance . I did however Love the Story Line of the Homeless Man . He should Win an Award for his Portrayal of a Dear And Loving schizophrenic . In all , one more Season would be nice but really not… Read more »
I just watched the finale and it was conclusive enough for my liking. I have to disagree with Iris about the need to explain her past, the child etc. Who they are and how they became that way doesn’t matter to me. This show leaves that to your imagination and that makes the show unique. As a result it’s constantly moving forward instead of dwelling on back story
Love this short series. Hoping for a season 2!!!
Please pease let there be a second season! Loved it!
What a brilliant, layered, dark, complex show. Loved the depth to the characters, their strength and their fragility that seem to be in constant war. Please pet there be second and third and fourth season.
There has to be a season 2. So many questions. It doesn’t get any better than a dark drama about ballet for me. I am intrigued to see more.
The series was amazing. Love the story line and the cast did an outstanding job. Cannot wait to see the finale and please please please do another season !!!
Was anticipating this series but now see it is “Ego Dick vs. Virgin ******”. Too much male shredding of the female psyche–not watching anymore.
Does anyone know why starz doesnt have the last episode on demand. I binged on the whole series and the last episode isnt there. Wtf
Go to STARZ play online it’s there and it’s fantastic
It’s there we watched it last night !
It should be on there now. I was able to download it on Direct TV and watch it last night!
i would love to see a season 2 of flesh and bones i loved it so much i could not stop watching them i loved everything about the season i loved the story line i loved the cast and i loved ballet i wish i could do it so please me a season 2 please
This series is dark but somehow keeps you wanting to see more. It is full of suspense and leaves you with questions as to why things are thee way they are in Clare’s world. The show has suspense, art, and has a good balance on portraying both Clare’s personal and professional life. I think that there should be another series to answer questions such as: how did Claire and her brother get to the point they were? What happened to the child? What happened to Clare’s mother? How will her brother’s death affect her? So many questions to answer.
A previous comment liked the show, but didn’t Ike the Incest storyline. To that person I say, no one like tragedies, but this is life. If you want a sugar coated storyline, try the Disney channel. This miniseries had everything; love, hate, humor, talent , success and failure…true life wrapped up in a subtle addictive package. Bring it back, we need a break from all the superheroes and witless comedies.