When Emily runs away with the circus in the 1930s, she enters a magical world of perilous adventures, intense friendships and deep passions. Growing up in the big top, she admires, from afar, the charismatic showman, Adam Strand. But Adam is torn between his wife Jayne, a daredevil tight-wire walker, and Molly, the elephant trainer who's always carried a torch for him. Emily becomes a star - but will she ever be able to tell Adam how she really feels?