The world of competitive figure skating meets family drama and romance in Netflix’s newest series. Finding Her Edge debuted on January 22, 2026, and introduces viewers to the high-pressure world of the Russo family. This sports drama follows a retired skater who must return to the ice to save her family’s legacy, navigating complicated relationships and intense competition. The show brings together a cast of rising Canadian talent to tell this story of ambition, family, and love.
The Russo Family at the Heart of the Story
The series revolves around the Russos, a family with Olympic-level skating in their blood but facing modern-day struggles. They own a picturesque but financially struggling ice rink in Ontario, Canada. The pressure to uphold their sporting legacy falls on the three Russo sisters, each dealing with their own dreams and challenges.
Madelyn Keys plays the central character, Adriana Russo. Adriana is the middle sister who walked away from competitive skating two years ago after a personal tragedy. When the family’s rink and legacy are at risk, she is pulled back into the world she left behind. Madelyn Keys is a 24-year-old Canadian actor who began her career as a child. Viewers might recognize her from the TV movie A Mother’s Lie or the mystery series Three Pines.
The eldest sister, Elise Russo, is portrayed by Alexandra Beaton. Elise was the sister carrying the family’s Olympic hopes until an injury changed her path. This creates a complex dynamic with Adriana. Alexandra Beaton, 31, made her film debut in 300 and later starred in the Canadian teen series The Next Step.
Playing the youngest sister, Maria Russo, is Alice Malakhov. At 17 years old, Maria is a talented skater but feels less burdened by the family’s expectations than her older sisters. Alice Malakhov is known for her role in the acclaimed series Anne with an E.
The family is rounded out by their father, Will Russo, played by Harmon Walsh. Will is a former Olympic champion who is now a coach and single father. He is intensely focused on seeing one of his daughters succeed, sometimes overlooking their emotional needs. Harmon Walsh is a seasoned Canadian actor with roles in series like Gossip Girl and Murdoch Mysteries.
The Skating Partners and Rivals
Adriana’s return to skating forces her to confront her past and manage a challenging new partnership. Her story creates a compelling love triangle central to the show’s drama.
Cale Ambrozic takes on the role of Brayden Elliot, the new and unexpected partner for Adriana. Described as the “cocky bad boy of ice dancing,” Brayden is the only skater talented enough to help Adriana win, but their personalities clash immediately. Cale Ambrozic, 23, is best known for his performances in the series We Were Liars and Hotel Cocaine.
The other point of the triangle is Freddie O’Connell, Adriana’s former skating partner and first love. Olly Atkins plays Freddie, who was left behind when Adriana quit skating two years ago. His return to train at the Russo family rink with a new partner stirs up old feelings. Olly Atkins previously appeared in Percy Jackson and the Olympians and has a film, The Casket Girls, in production.
Freddie’s new partner, both on and off the ice, is Riley Monroe, played by Millie Davis. Riley’s presence makes any chance of rekindling a romance between Freddie and Adriana even more difficult. Millie Davis, 19, started acting as a child on Odd Squad and has appeared in major projects like the film Wonder and the series Orphan Black.
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Behind the Scenes of the Ice Skating Drama
Finding Her Edge is an eight-episode series that adapts the bestselling young adult novel of the same name by author Jennifer Iacopelli. Interestingly, the novel itself is loosely based on the Jane Austen classic Persuasion, which inspired the story’s themes of second chances and rekindled love.
The series was developed for television by Shelley Scarrow, known for her work on Degrassi: The Next Generation. The showrunner and an executive producer is Jeff Norton. Directing duties are shared by Shamim Sarif and Jacqueline Pepall, who helmed the eight episodes.
Filming took place entirely in Ontario, Canada, with specific locations including Orillia, Barrie, and Wasaga Beach. The production aimed to capture the authentic atmosphere of Canadian ice rinks and the communities around them.
Adding a touch of real-world skating brilliance, the series features cameo appearances from celebrated Canadian ice dancing stars Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Fans can see more of them in the upcoming Netflix docuseries Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing, which follows their journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The show is rated TV-14 and each episode runs between 40 to 69 minutes, making it a potential weekend binge for viewers. All eight episodes were released at once on Netflix, following the streamer’s common pattern for original series.
The series explores the competitive world of figure skating and interpersonal problems that emerge both on and off the ice.
The series arrives as part of Netflix’s winter programming, offering a dramatic and romantic story set against the backdrop of elite sports.
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