Netflix’s newest teen drama Finding Her Edge brings the high-stakes world of competitive figure skating to screens. The series, which started streaming on January 22, 2026, follows three sisters fighting to save their family’s legacy. If you enjoy young adult stories filled with romance, family pressure, and sports rivalry, this show might be your next binge-watch.
The eight-episode first season adapts Jennifer Iacopelli’s popular novel. It focuses on the Russo family, a famous skating dynasty facing financial trouble and personal challenges after the death of their mother.
What Finding Her Edge Is About
The story centers on Adriana Russo, played by Madelyn Keys. Adriana stopped competitive skating two years ago after her mother passed away. She now helps her father manage their family’s training rink. Her life changes when her older sister, a top solo skater, gets injured. To bring in sponsorship money and save their rink from closing, Adriana decides to skate again.
She partners with Brayden Elliot, a talented but arrogant ice dancer. To attract sponsors and public attention, they pretend to be in a romantic relationship off the ice. Complicating matters is the return of Freddie O’Connell, Adriana’s former skating partner and first love. Freddie arrives at the Russo rink with his new partner, creating a tense love triangle.
Meet the Cast and Characters
The series features a cast of rising Canadian actors in a classic YA drama structure.
Madelyn Keys leads as Adriana Russo, the determined middle sister thrust back into the spotlight. Cale Ambrozic plays her new partner, Brayden Elliot, the confident “bad boy” of ice dancing. Olly Atkins is Freddie O’Connell, Adriana’s sincere ex-partner who still has feelings for her.
The family dynamic is rounded out by Alexandra Beaton as Elise Russo, the proud eldest sister whose injury changes the family’s plans. Alice Malakhov plays the youngest sister, Maria “Mimi” Russo, who questions the intense skating life. Harmon Walsh portrays the girls’ father, Will Russo, an Olympic champion struggling with grief and financial pressure.
The show also features real-life Canadian ice dancing stars Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier in cameo roles.
Behind the Scenes and Production Details
Finding Her Edge is based on the 2022 YA novel by Jennifer Iacopelli. The story takes loose inspiration from Jane Austen’s Persuasion, a theme echoed in the show as the youngest sister reads Austen for school.
The series was developed for television by Shelley Scarrow, known for Degrassi: The Next Generation. Jeff Norton served as showrunner and executive producer. Episodes were directed by Shamim Sarif and Jacqueline Pepall.
Filming took place in Ontario, Canada, in locations including Barrie, Orillia, and Wasaga Beach during early 2025. The production is a collaboration between WildBrain and Netflix, similar to past projects like Degrassi: Next Class and I Woke Up a Vampire.
The show was originally planned to air on Canada’s Family Channel, but after that network closed, it was picked up by CBC Television and Radio-Canada Télé for Canadian audiences.
What Critics and Viewers Are Saying
Since its release, the show has received mixed reactions, helping viewers decide if it’s for them.
Many praise the performances and family dynamics. Reviewers highlight Alexandra Beaton’s portrayal of Elise as a standout, showing a complex character arc from a competitive “mean girl” to a vulnerable sister. The relationship between the three Russo sisters is often called the emotional core of the show, with their arguments and support feeling genuine.
The central love triangle receives more criticism. Some feel the chemistry between Adriana and Brayden is strong, while the history with Freddie feels underdeveloped. As one review notes, the audience is “told about his deep history with Adriana rather than being shown why they belonged together”.
A common point in reviews is the handling of the skating element. While the sound design captures the atmosphere of the rink well, the actual skating sequences sometimes rely on obvious stunt doubles. Several critics mention that many key scenes happen in a dance studio instead of on the ice, which reduces the excitement. For viewers who are serious figure skating fans, the show’s approach to competition rules and training timelines may feel unrealistic.
The show has been compared to other series. Some call it a replacement for The Summer I Turned Pretty, focusing on cozy teen romance and family drama. Others compare it to the skating drama Spinning Out, though most agree Finding Her Edge is less intense and more focused on YA tropes.
Who Might Enjoy This Show
Based on early reactions, Finding Her Edge seems to fit specific viewer tastes.
Fans of young adult book adaptations will likely enjoy it, especially those who participated in the “BookTok” community that helped popularize the original novel. The show uses familiar YA elements like fake dating, love triangles, and family legacy pressure.
Viewers looking for easy-to-watch, low-stakes drama might find it a good match. Descriptions call it “blandly pleasant” and “cozy,” suitable for background viewing or a relaxed binge. It’s rated TV-PG, making it an option for family viewing.
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People interested in winter sports or the upcoming Olympics could be drawn to the setting. The release timing coincides with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and the show features cameos from real Olympic hopefuls.
However, serious sports drama enthusiasts might be disappointed. If you prefer technically accurate depictions of athletic training and competition, the show’s focus on romance over sport might not satisfy you. Similarly, if you dislike predictable plotlines and common YA tropes, this might not be your choice.
The first season ends with a cliffhanger, leaving room for future stories about the Russo family and their skating ambitions.
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