As the world turns its eyes toward Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Netflix has delivered the ultimate warm-up: Finding Her Edge, an eight-episode YA sports romance series that premiered worldwide on January 22, 2026, and is now streaming in full. Adapted from Jennifer Iacopelli’s 2022 novel of the same name, this Canadian production blends high-stakes figure skating, family legacy pressures, sibling dynamics, and a tangled love triangle into a binge-worthy package that’s equal parts heartfelt, dramatic, and irresistibly soapy. With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic score in its early days (though audience scores are still settling), the show has climbed Netflix charts, drawing comparisons to Heated Rivalry, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and even classic sports romances like The Cutting Edge. If you’re craving emotional intensity on the ice and off, this is your next obsession.
At the heart of Finding Her Edge is the Russo family, heirs to a once-glorious figure skating dynasty now teetering on the brink of financial ruin. The picturesque Ontario rink that bears their name—complete with faded banners celebrating past Olympic triumphs—represents both pride and burden. The matriarch, a gold medalist, passed away two years earlier, leaving a void that the three Russo sisters navigate in very different ways.
Seventeen-year-old Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys), the middle sister, is the emotional core. Once a promising pairs skater, Adriana stepped away from competition after her mother’s death, haunted by grief and the fear that the sport took too much from her family. But when her older sister Elise (Alexandra Beaton) suffers a career-threatening injury, Adriana laces up again. She’s paired with Brayden Elliot (Cale Ambrozic), a talented but brooding “bad-boy” skater whose reputation precedes him. Their chemistry on the ice is undeniable—sharp lifts, synchronized spins, and a partnership that could qualify them for the World Championships in Paris. Yet Adriana’s heart remains tethered to her first love and former partner, Freddie O’Connell (Olly Atkins), now skating with a new girl, Riley (Millie Davis).
The central conflict ignites when the Russo rink faces foreclosure. Desperate for sponsorship money, Adriana and Brayden hatch a plan: pretend to be a couple off the ice. Social media posts, staged dates, and public displays of affection become their ticket to landing a major brand deal. What starts as a calculated performance blurs into something real—stolen glances during practice, lingering touches after rehearsals, quiet moments where the line between fake and genuine dissolves. Meanwhile, Freddie’s presence on the competition circuit stirs old feelings, creating a classic love triangle that pulses with tension.
The series excels at layering personal stakes atop athletic ones. Adriana isn’t just fighting for medals; she’s fighting to save her family’s legacy, honor her mother’s memory, and figure out who she is beyond the ice. Her arc is rich with vulnerability—scenes of her practicing alone at dawn, tears freezing on her cheeks, or confiding in her little sister Maria (Alice Malakhov) about the weight of expectations. Maria, the youngest Russo, adds levity and depth; she secretly dreams of a life outside skating, clashing with their father Will (Harmon Walsh), a former coach determined to keep the dynasty alive.
Elise’s storyline provides another emotional anchor. As the eldest and once the family’s golden girl, her injury forces her to confront identity questions: Who is she if not a champion? Her recovery arc intersects with Adriana’s rise, creating sibling tension that’s realistic and raw—jealousy mixed with love, competition tempered by support.
The romance is the beating heart that keeps viewers hooked. Adriana and Brayden’s fake-to-real journey feels earned. Early episodes show friction—Brayden’s cocky attitude clashes with Adriana’s perfectionism—but as they train, trust builds. Choreography (with cameos from real Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier) is stunning: sweeping lifts, intricate footwork, and lifts that convey both athletic prowess and budding intimacy. The pretend-dating scheme adds delicious rom-com energy—awkward family dinners, viral couple photos, and moments where the act feels too convincing.
Freddie’s reappearance complicates everything. As Adriana’s first love, he represents safety, shared history, and unfinished business. Their encounters—at competitions, in hallways, or a poignant carousel scene—crackle with unresolved tension. The show smartly avoids making any suitor a villain; each relationship has genuine appeal, forcing Adriana (and viewers) to grapple with what she truly wants.
Visually, Finding Her Edge shines. Ontario locations provide picturesque backdrops—snow-dusted rinks, frozen lakes, cozy family homes. Skating sequences are shot with dynamic cameras that capture speed, grace, and emotion. Costumes sparkle under arena lights, music swells during routines (a mix of classical and contemporary tracks), and the production design evokes both glamour and grit—the worn edges of the Russo rink contrasting with polished competition venues.
Performances elevate the material. Madelyn Keys delivers a breakout turn as Adriana—raw, relatable, and magnetic. Viewers have compared her to a young Jennifer Lawrence for her emotional authenticity. Cale Ambrozic brings brooding charm to Brayden, making his vulnerability surprising and compelling. Olly Atkins (fresh from Percy Jackson) nails Freddie’s conflicted sweetness. The ensemble—especially Alexandra Beaton as the resilient Elise and Alice Malakhov as the spirited Maria—creates a believable family unit.
Thematically, the series explores grief, legacy, ambition, and identity with nuance uncommon in YA fare. It questions the cost of perfection in sports, the pressure on young athletes, and how family expectations shape (or stifle) dreams. Romance feels authentic—messy, slow-burn, and rooted in growth rather than instant sparks.
Critics have praised its balance: soapy enough for escapism, heartfelt enough for resonance. Early reviews call it “the perfect pre-Olympics binge” and note its appeal across demographics—teens drawn to romance, sports fans to skating authenticity, families to sibling dynamics.
As the World Championships approach in the finale, stakes peak: sponsorships on the line, hearts at risk, and the Russo legacy hanging in the balance. Without spoiling, the resolution satisfies while leaving threads open—hinting at potential Season 2 drama, as stars have teased in interviews.
In a streaming landscape crowded with reboots, Finding Her Edge stands out as fresh, emotionally honest, and visually captivating. It’s the show that reminds us why we love underdog stories, love triangles, and the thrill of competition—on ice or in life.
Stream it now on Netflix. Lace up, grab tissues, and prepare to fall hard. The Russos are gliding into your heart, and once you’re on the ice with them, there’s no turning back.