‘The Big Leap’ Episode 2 Preview: Photos, Plot and Cast

Fox’s The Big Leap season one episode one introduced us to the key players who’ll be attempting to snag lead roles in “Swan Lake.” Episode two, “Classic Tragic Love Triangle,” finds the competition heating up while behind the scenes the contestants deal with relationship issues.

Episode two will air on September 27, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT.

Season one stars Scott Foley as Nick Blackburn, Teri Polo as Julia Perkins, Jon Rudnitsky as Mike Devries, and Kevin Daniels as Wayne Fontaine. Piper Perabo stars as Paula Clark, Ser’Darius Blain is Reggie Sadler, Simone Recasner is Gabby Lewis, Raymond Cham Jr is Justin Calgrove, Mallory Jansen is Monica Sullivan, and Anna Grace Barlow is Brittany Lovewell.

“Classic Tragic Love Triangle” Plot: With auditions beginning for the three lead roles — The White Swan, The Black Swan and The Prince — tensions begin to rise as the contestants all vie for the same parts. Gabby confronts Nick about his purposeful manipulation of the show and the producers catch Julia’s husband talking poorly about their marriage.

Meanwhile, Mike accidentally reveals a huge secret to Nick and the producers.

The Season 1 Plot, Courtesy of Fox:

On the heels of his latest show failure and a stressful divorce, producer NICK BLACKBURN (Foley) reluctantly signs on to produce “The Big Leap,” a high-stakes docuseries filming in Motor City. The show, which brings together dancers from every age, background and body type, is the brainchild of former dancer WAYNE FONTAINE (Daniels). With choreographer MONICA SULLIVAN (Jansen) on board to help Nick mount the production, he begins his search for not only the best dancers, but also the ones that could stir up the most drama and buzz.

GABBY LEWIS (Recasner) once dreamt of becoming a professional dancer, but her dreams were sidelined when she got pregnant right out of high school. In the midst of the monotony that is her 9-to-5 office job, she stumbles upon an open casting call for “The Big Leap,” reigniting her passion for dance. Auditioning alongside Gabby is JUSTIN CALGROVE (Cham Jr.), Gabby’s former dance partner and high school boyfriend…that is, until he came out of the closet (to the surprise of no one, except Gabby).

Their fellow contestants include REGGIE SADLER (Blain), a professional football star on the brink of suspension and whom Nick believes could give the show the star power and controversy it needs to break through; BRITTNEY LOVEWELL (Barlow), a born-and-bred hyper-competitive ballroom dancer whose partner is her twin brother; unemployed autoworker MIKE DEVRIES (Rudnitsky), whose gradual unraveling recently led his wife to leave him; PAULA CLARK (Perabo), a high-powered corporate executive; and former ballerina JULIA PERKINS (Polo), who relies on social media for the attention she craves from her family.

Inspired by a U.K. reality format, Big Ballet, The Big Leap is an innovative show-within-a-show that takes viewers on a journey of self-acceptance, body-positivity and empowerment at any age.

The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 2
Mallory Jansen, Kevin Daniels, Simone Recasner, Teri Polo, guest star Karen Rodriguez, Jon Rudnitsky, Piper Perabo, Ser’Darius Blain, guest star Fabrice Calmels, guest star Adam Kaplan and Anna Grace Barlow in the “Classic Tragic Love Triangle” episode (Photo by Jean Whiteside © 2021 FOX Media LLC)
The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 2
Scott Foley and Jon Rudnitsky in season 1 episode 2 (Photo by Jean Whiteside © 2021 FOX Media LLC)
The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 2
Kevin Daniels, Mallory Jansen and Scott Foley in the “Classic Tragic Love Triangle” episode (Photo by Jean Whiteside © 2021 FOX Media LLC)
The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 2
Scott Foley and Simone Recasner in the “Classic Tragic Love Triangle” episode (Photo by Jean Whiteside © 2021 FOX Media LLC)
The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 2
Guest star Nicholas Caesar, Jon Rudnitsky and Piper Perabo in season 1 episode 2 (Photo by Jean Whiteside © 2021 FOX Media LLC)
The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 2
Raymond Cham Jr., Simone Recasner, Anna Grace Barlow and guest star Adam Kaplan in ‘The Big Leap’ season 1 episode 2 (Photo by Jean Whiteside © 2021 FOX Media LLC)