Starz presents Flesh and Bone

The lovely Sarah Hay stars in this new STARZ Mini-Series as Claire Robbins, a Pittsburgh born ballet dancer, who runs away from her home and tries out for the American Ballet Company, led by the flamboyant Paul Grayson, in New York. Claire shows obvious talent as a ballet dancer (much to the chagrin of her fellow dancers in the group) and quickly advances to a much desired place in the Company but her troubled past catches up to her even in New York.

Sarah Hay as Claire Robbins

This VERY dramatic show caught me so off guard upon first glance, that I was mesmerized into watching all 8 episodes over two evenings. The show concludes in a beautiful ballet performance executed by ALL of the principal actors of the American Ballet Company. (Not just Claire.)

Ben Daniels as Paul Grayson, leader of the American Ballet Company

I don't much care for ballet myself but seeing this as a dramatic show, I was amazed by the performances of these mostly unknown actors. Lead actress Sarah Hay has also not done so much more but she was also seen in BLACK SWAN as a ballet dancer. Flesh and Bone does offer a very frank and realistic depiction of the goings-on of a Ballet Company in New York and it may soon be clear that in this business not everything shines so bright on this show.

Grayson tells Claire of her tremendous appeal as a ballet dancer

The shows opens with a beautifully dramatic song for a title sequence: OBSESSION, performed by Karen O, over a gorgeously choreographed dance performance. This erotically charged song also immediately sets the tone of intensity for the rest of the show.

Claire trying out with Ross, a fellow dancer

Seeing that his is a STARZ presentation (STARZ earlier also presented us a rather graphic television show of SPARTACUS), the show does offer a realistic view of violence and abuse, as well as copious amounts of nudity and mature depictions of sexuality. It could have used a little more humor but with its heavy dramatic impact, the show scores amazingly well. Considering the unrelenting realism however, it may safely be said that this might not be a suitable show for everyone.

A beautifully harsh New York setting

Ben Daniels stars as Paul Grayson, Tovah Feldshuh (Deanna in The Walking Dead) plays Ivana, a ballet instructor and the others are not familiar in name or face to me. Still, seeing Flesh and Bone was an amazing experience !!!

Nothing so far has indicated to a second season but if the ratings have been any good, showrunner Moira Walley-Beckett (known from BREAKING BAD) may well be looking for a good story arc to continue this fascinating drama. I would welcome that as I think Sarah Hay is a tremendous talent, whom I would love to see in a second season.

Sarah Hay's IMDB Mugshot