Efter at en gruppe potentielle kriminelle har kidnappet den 12-årige ballerinadatter af en mægtig underverdenskikkelse, skal de blot se pigen natten over for at indsamle en løsesum på 50 millioner dollars. I et isoleret palæ begynder fangefangerne at svinde ind, én efter én, og de opdager, til deres stigende rædsel, at de er spærret inde uden en normal lille pige.
Nina er en utrolig talentfuld, men skræmmende ustabil ballerina, der er godt på vej til at blive en stjerne. Da hun bliver presset til det yderste af sin ambitiøse kunstneriske instruktør og trues af sin forførende rival, begynder Nina at miste sit greb om virkeligheden. I takt med at presset stiger, bliver Ninas altoverskyggende besættelse sværere og sværere at kontrollere, og hun ender i et levende mareridt, som ikke kun er en trussel for hendes forstand, men også for hendes liv.
Balletdanserinden Lily Jamison er blevet "mor" for sin søsters datter. Niecen har også talent for ballet, så hun får tilbudt hovedrollen i årets udgave af Nøddeknækkeren. Da Lily følger Sadie til prøverne, opdager hun, at hun kender instruktøren. Det er hendes ekskæreste Mark.
Den yndige russiske ballerina Oktyabrina bliver forelsket i den amerikansk journalist Joe, der er udstationeret som korrespondent i Rusland. KGB vil gøre alt for at deres kærlighedsforhold går i stykker, og det lykkedes for dem på den mest tragiske måde.
At Sydney's National Dance Academy, a few talented youngsters are recruited for the excruciatingly tough course. It follows Tara Webster, a sheepfarmgirl who's ambition is to be the next best ballerina. Jewish long line of doctors' heir Samuel 'Sammy' and minor juvenile offender Christian are the outsiders but gradually fit in, making new kinds of friends. Star ballerina's daughter Kat also introduces them in the circle of last-year brother Ethan, who already aspires a career as choreographer. Also Abigail, a smart young girl who'll walk over dead bodies to reach the stars tries to sabotage everything and everyone.
Claire, a talented but emotionally troubled dancer, joins a company in New York City, and soon finds herself immersed in the tough and often cutthroat world of professional ballet. The dark and gritty series will unflinchingly explore the dysfunction and glamour of the ballet world.
Tong Xi, a ballet dancer, is forced to return from the big city to her hometown due to her mother's job transfer. She wants to hide her tough girl character by transferring to another school, but is seen through by her childhood friend, Lin Nan Yi, who knows her roots and can't get along with her. Tong Xi is acting while Li Nan Yi is trying to blow her cover. From frequent misunderstandings to mutual help, the couples gradually develop a tacit understanding and reliance on each other in their daily life with a group of small-town students. However, Tong Xi learns that Lin Nan Yi is the comic god she has admired for a long time. When the confusion in the process of finding the dreams hits the young and ignorant girl's feelings
