Netflix opens 2026 with Finding Her Edge, a shimmering YA drama that has already become a BookTok sensation. Adapted from Jennifer Iacopelli’s celebrated novel, the series blends the elegance of competitive figure skating with the emotional turbulence of first love, family legacy, and second chances. Its mix of fake-dating antics, love-triangle tension, and Olympic ambition makes it an instant standout in the YA landscape.
The Plot of Finding Her Edge: Love, Legacy & Competitive Skating
At its core, Finding Her Edge follows 17-year-old Adriana Russo, a former figure skater who walked away from the sport after losing her mother — and her first love, Freddie. When the Russo family’s ice rink begins to crumble financially, Adriana is thrust back into the world she left behind to protect the family legacy.
Her return sets off a chain of emotional and competitive upheavals:
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Adriana teams up with Brayden Elliot, a gifted but infuriating “bad boy” skater with a complicated past of his own.
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To secure a crucial sponsorship, the two agree to fake-date, blurring the lines between act and reality.
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Meanwhile, Freddie — Adriana’s former partner and first love — returns with a new partner, stirring old feelings and intensifying the competitive pressure.
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All of this unfolds under the watchful eye of Will Russo, the family patriarch determined to keep the Olympic legacy alive.
The result is a tightly woven story of ambition, grief, romantic conflict, and the unique intensity of competitive figure skating.
Number of Episodes
Finding Her Edge Season 1 consists of:
Eight episodes
Each episode runs between 45–55 minutes, making it a balanced binge — long enough to develop character arcs, but paced fast enough for weekend viewing.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Pushing Off” | Shamim Sarif | Shelley Scarrow | January 22, 2026 |
| 2 | “Shoot the Duck” | Shamim Sarif | Shelley Scarrow | January 22, 2026 |
| 3 | “Inside Edge” | Jacqueline Pepall | Sabrina Sherif | January 22, 2026 |
| 4 | “Kiss and Cry” | Jacqueline Pepall | Jacqueline Pepall | January 22, 2026 |
| 5 | “Spiraling” | Shamim Sarif | Jeff Norton | January 22, 2026 |
| 6 | “Crossovers” | Shamim Sarif | Sabrian Sherif | January 22, 2026 |
| 7 | “Death Spiral” | Jacqueline Pepall | Jacqueline Pepall | January 22, 2026 |
| 8 | “Medaling” | Shamim Sarif | Shelley Scarrow | January 22, 2026 |
Release Date
The series premiered globally on:
January 22, 2026
Netflix dropped all eight episodes at once, allowing fans worldwide to binge the entire season immediately.
Release Time by Region:
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PT (Pacific Time): 12:00 AM
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ET (Eastern Time): 3:00 AM
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GMT: 8:00 AM
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IST (India): 1:30 PM
The synchronized global release made it a popular same-day watch for BookTok communities and YA fandoms.
Meet the Cast of Finding Her Edge
Madelyn Keys as Adriana Russo
Madelyn Keys steps into the role of Adriana Russo, the middle sister caught between the weight of her family’s skating dynasty and lingering heartbreak. After stepping away from the sport due to injury and grief, Adriana returns to the ice to save her family’s financially struggling rink — and finds herself torn between her charismatic new partner and the first love she left behind.
Keys, 24, is a fast-rising talent known for A Mother’s Lie, My Husband Hired a Hitman, and Three Pines. With Adriana, she anchors the series with a blend of vulnerability, ambition, and romantic tension that defines Finding Her Edge.
Cale Ambrozic as Brayden Elliot
Cale Ambrozic plays Brayden Elliot, the cocky, technically brilliant “bad boy” of ice dancing who becomes Adriana’s new partner. Their off-ice bickering and on-ice chemistry make him one of the show’s standout characters — especially since he has history with Adriana’s sister, Elise.
Ambrozic, 23, has been seen in We Were Liars and MGM+’s Hotel Cocaine. Here, he delivers a performance that blends swagger, talent, and surprising emotional depth.
Olly Atkins as Freddie O’Connell
Olly Atkins stars as Freddie O’Connell, Adriana’s former skating partner and first love. His sudden return to the Russo rink — with a new partner and a seemingly new life — complicates everything Adriana has tried to rebuild.
Atkins previously appeared in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The 5-Year Christmas Party, and the upcoming feature The Casket Girls. In Finding Her Edge, he brings warmth, nostalgia, and unresolved longing that intensifies the series’ central love triangle.
Alexandra Beaton as Elise Russo
Alexandra Beaton portrays Elise Russo, the eldest of the Russo sisters — disciplined, driven, and determined to carry their family’s legacy. An injury sidelines her ambitions, leaving her to confront her complicated relationship with Adriana as her sister steps into the spotlight she was supposed to inherit.
Beaton is known for her memorable stint on The Next Step, as well as roles in Overcompensating, Luckiest Girl Alive, and the Bring It On franchise. Elise adds grit and emotional complexity to the show’s family drama.
Alice Malakhov as Maria Russo
Alice Malakhov plays Maria Russo, the youngest sibling navigating growing pains, expectations, and her place within a legendary skating family. Maria represents the lighter, more introspective side of the story — questioning whether the competitive skating world is truly her path.
Malakhov, 17, previously appeared in Anne Without the E, Zik, Adults, and IT: Welcome to Derry. Her character brings freshness and emotional authenticity to the ensemble.
Millie Davis as Riley Monroe
Millie Davis takes on the role of Riley Monroe — Freddie’s new partner, both on and off the ice. Riley isn’t just a romantic obstacle; she’s talented, ambitious, and determined to make her mark, adding complexity to the rivalry inside the rink.
Davis began her career on Odd Squad, later starring in Dino Dana, Wonder, and Orphan Black. Her portrayal of Riley grounds the more intense romantic tensions in maturity and empathy.
Harmon Walsh as Will Russo
Harmon Walsh plays Will Russo, the patriarch of the Russo family: a former Olympic champion who is desperate to keep the family rink alive. His intense focus on legacy — sometimes at the cost of his daughters’ emotional wellbeing — forms the backbone of the show’s family conflicts.
Walsh is known for As the World Turns, Murdoch Mysteries, and guest roles on Gossip Girl and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. As Will, he brings both strength and fragility to the series.
Where to Stream Finding Her Edge
Streaming Platform: Netflix
All episodes of Finding Her Edge are available exclusively on Netflix.
The show is part of Netflix’s growing library of youth-oriented sports dramas, alongside titles like Spinning Out, Heated Rivalry, and the upcoming docuseries Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing (featuring real-life Olympians Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier).
Also, Read – Finding Her Edge (2026) ‘Netflix’ Recap & Ending Explained
FAQ
1. What is Finding Her Edge about?
Finding Her Edge follows Adriana Russo, a young skater who returns to the ice to save her family’s struggling rink. Caught between a fake-dating scheme with her new partner Brayden and old feelings for her former partner Freddie, she navigates love, pressure, and Olympic-level competition.
2. Who stars in Finding Her Edge?
The cast includes Madelyn Keys (Adriana Russo), Cale Ambrozic (Brayden Elliot), Olly Atkins (Freddie O’Connell), Alexandra Beaton (Elise Russo), Alice Malakhov (Maria Russo), Millie Davis (Riley Monroe), and Harmon Walsh (Will Russo).
3. How many episodes does Finding Her Edge have?
Season 1 consists of eight episodes, all available to stream now.
4. When was Finding Her Edge released?
The series premiered globally on Netflix on January 22, 2026.
5. Where can I watch Finding Her Edge?
You can stream all eight episodes exclusively on Netflix.
6. Is Finding Her Edge based on a book?
Yes. It is adapted from Jennifer Iacopelli’s bestselling YA novel of the same name, loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
7. Will there be a Season 2 of Finding Her Edge?
Netflix has not officially announced Season 2, but fan response and BookTok buzz suggest strong potential for renewal.
Courtesy: Marie Claire
