Dance Academy

Dance Academy

Created by Samantha Strauss, Joanna Werner

On ABC Me

2010–20133 seasons66 episodes24 min7.4 / 10

A warm, ensemble-driven coming-of-age drama about young dancers navigating ambition, friendship, and self-discovery at an elite academy.

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.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Does Dance Academy leave you hopeful? Yes. More hopeful than 84% of series.

  • Is Dance Academy easy watching? Yes. More comforting than 79% of series.

  • Is Dance Academy violent? Barely. Less violent than 78% of series.

  • Is Dance Academy scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 70% of series.

  • Is Dance Academy sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

28/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity12

How unlike any other series this one feels

Surprise31

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love47

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Dance Academy

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Dance Academy

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Dance Academy, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Dance Academy, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Dance Academy, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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