Finding Her Edge arrived on Netflix on January 22, 2026, bringing ice dancing drama, tangled romances, and family legacy pressures to screens worldwide. This Canadian young adult sports drama, adapted from Jennifer Iacopelli’s 2022 novel, delivers eight episodes of glittering costumes, intense competition, and relationship complications set against the backdrop of elite figure skating. With its focus on the Russo sisters navigating their family’s skating dynasty while juggling romance and financial survival, the series taps into themes of identity, ambition, and the weight of expectations.
The Story Behind Finding Her Edge
At the heart of Finding Her Edge is seventeen-year-old Adriana Russo, the often-overlooked middle child in a family where figure skating isn’t just a passion—it’s a legacy. Two years after stepping away from ice dancing following her mother Sarah’s death, Adriana returns to the rink with a new partner, Brayden Elliot, to train for the World Championships. Her comeback isn’t just about personal glory; the family’s skating rink faces financial collapse, and winning could secure the sponsorships needed to save it.
The series weaves together multiple storylines that explore what happens when family expectations collide with personal desires. Adriana’s older sister Elise has carried the burden of being the family’s star skater her entire life, while younger sister Maria questions whether she even wants to be part of the family business. Their father, a former Olympic figure skater himself, struggles with his own grief and the pressure of maintaining his late wife’s legacy through his daughters’ achievements.
Complicating Adriana’s already stressful situation is a love triangle that refuses to stay off the ice. She still harbors deep feelings for Freddie O’Connell, her former skating partner and first love, who now competes with his new partner Riley Monroe. Meanwhile, her electric on-ice chemistry with Brayden leads to a fake dating scheme designed to attract sponsors and public attention. As Adriana and Brayden pretend to be the skating world’s hottest couple for the cameras, the line between performance and reality begins to blur.
Complete Episode Breakdown
Finding Her Edge delivers its story across eight episodes, each approximately 44 minutes long, with all episodes premiering simultaneously on January 22, 2026. The season uses figure skating terminology for episode titles, adding thematic depth to each installment’s narrative focus.
Episode 1: Pushing Off
The season opens with an epic party at the Russo Rink marking the start of a new competitive season. New partnerships form while old rivalries resurface, establishing the complex web of relationships that will define the season. Adriana returns to competitive ice dancing after her two-year hiatus, partnering with Brayden Elliot despite lingering feelings for her former partner Freddie. The episode introduces the financial pressures threatening the family rink and sets up the central conflict of Adriana caught between past love and present opportunity. One pivotal moment on the ice changes everything, launching Adriana’s comeback journey.
Episode 2: Shoot the Duck
Personal tensions that have been simmering beneath the surface erupt during a bonfire gathering. The episode’s title references a figure skating move where the skater squats on one leg, symbolizing the uncomfortable positions the characters find themselves in. Relationships begin showing cracks as the pressure of competition and complicated personal dynamics take their toll. The bonfire setting allows for more intimate character moments away from the rink’s competitive atmosphere, revealing vulnerabilities and conflicts that will shape the season ahead.
Episode 3: Inside Edge
Adriana and Brayden struggle to build the trust necessary for successful ice dancing partnership. Their on-ice chemistry clashes with off-ice friction as they learn to work together. Meanwhile, a surprise challenge tests not just Adriana’s partnership with Brayden but the entire Russo family’s unity and resolve. The “inside edge” refers to a skating technique but also speaks to the internal struggles each character faces while presenting a polished exterior to the competitive world.
Episode 4: Kiss and Cry
Named for the area where skaters wait for their scores after performing, this episode puts Team Russo under intense media scrutiny just before major qualifiers. The public attention complicates Adriana’s already messy personal life, particularly as speculation about her relationships with both Brayden and Freddie intensifies. The pressure of performing for judges, sponsors, and the public eye creates additional strain on partnerships already dealing with complicated emotions. Success or failure in the “kiss and cry” area can make or break competitive dreams.
Episode 5: Spiraling
Sponsorship opportunities and public image concerns begin heavily influencing personal choices, blurring the lines between authentic relationships and strategic performances. The fake dating scheme between Adriana and Brayden gains momentum, attracting the sponsor attention the family desperately needs. However, maintaining the charade while training intensively and managing genuine feelings creates complications that ripple through the entire Russo family dynamic. The episode’s title suggests both a figure skating element and the sense of losing control as situations become increasingly complex.
Episode 6: Crossovers
Consequences from earlier decisions catch up to the characters as alliances shift both on and off the ice. “Crossovers” in skating refer to how skaters gain speed by crossing one foot over the other, but here it represents how characters’ paths intersect and diverge in unexpected ways. Relationships that seemed stable reveal hidden tensions, while unlikely connections form under pressure. The episode explores how personal and professional lives cannot remain separate when your sport demands intimate partnership and public scrutiny follows every move.
Episode 7: Death Spiral
With the World Championships approaching, stakes reach their highest point. A “death spiral” is one of ice dancing’s most dramatic and dangerous moves, requiring absolute trust between partners. In this penultimate episode, a single distraction or moment of lost focus leads to devastating results. An injury becomes the catalyst for major shifts in family dynamics and competitive prospects. The episode forces characters to confront what they’re willing to sacrifice and what truly matters beyond medals and recognition.
Episode 8: Medaling
The season finale brings the World Championships competition to its climax while resolving key relationship questions. “Medaling” obviously refers to winning medals, but also speaks to “meddling” as outside forces and internal conflicts reach their breaking point. The episode provides closure for certain storylines while leaving others open for potential future exploration. Each Russo sister arrives at crucial decisions about their skating careers and personal lives. The fake dating plot reaches its inevitable resolution as pretense collides with genuine emotion, forcing Adriana to acknowledge her true feelings.
The Cast: Bringing the Russo Legacy to Life
From the three Russo sisters navigating their family’s skating dynasty to the romantic interests complicating their journeys, here’s your complete guide to the cast making waves in Netflix’s ice dancing drama.
Main Cast of Finding Her Edge
Madelyn Keys takes the lead as Adriana Russo, the middle sister caught between family obligations and personal desires. Keys, known for her work in “A Mother’s Lie,” brings vulnerability and determination to a character navigating grief, romance, and the weight of her family’s expectations. Adriana’s journey from reluctant returnee to confident competitor forms the emotional core of the series.
Cale Ambrozic portrays Brayden Elliot, Adriana’s new skating partner and fake boyfriend. The 23-year-old actor, previously seen in “We Were Liars” and “Hotel Cocaine,” plays Brayden as the so-called “bad boy of figure skating” whose cocky exterior masks deeper complications. His character’s relationship with Elise adds another layer of tension to the family dynamics.
Olly Atkins appears as Freddie O’Connell, Adriana’s former partner and first love. Atkins, who had roles in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” portrays the third point in the series’ central love triangle. Freddie’s apparent determination to avoid Adriana while training alongside her creates ongoing tension throughout the season.
Alexandra Beaton delivers a standout performance as Elise Russo, the older sister who has carried the family’s expectations her entire life. Beaton, known for “Single All the Way,” brings depth to a character who could easily have been reduced to a one-dimensional “mean girl.” Instead, Elise’s journey from resentment to understanding becomes one of the series’ most compelling arcs.
Alice Malakhov plays Maria “Mimi” Russo, the youngest sister questioning whether skating is truly her path or simply what’s expected of her. Malakhov, previously seen in “Anne with an E,” represents the next generation of Russo skaters weighing personal choice against family tradition.
Harmon Walsh appears as Will Russo, the sisters’ father and former Olympic skater struggling with grief and financial pressure while trying to honor his late wife’s legacy. His character embodies the weight of expectations that trickles down to his daughters.
Supporting Cast of Finding Her Edge
Millie Davis plays Riley Monroe, Freddie’s new skating partner and romantic interest, adding complication to any possibility of Adriana and Freddie rekindling their relationship. At 19, Davis brings experience from projects including “Odd Squad,” “Dino Dana,” and a notable role in “Wonder” alongside Julia Roberts.
Meredith Forlenza portrays Camille St. Denis, a coach and family friend who provides consistent support and guidance throughout the season. Critics have noted her character as one of the most believable and warm presences in the series.
The series also features guest appearances by real-life Canadian ice dancing champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who are featured in the upcoming documentary “Glitter and Gold: Ice Dancing” about their preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Their involvement lends authenticity to the skating sequences.
Timeline and Setting
Finding Her Edge unfolds during a crucial competitive season in the figure skating world, with the story building toward the World Championships. The series takes place in the present day, with the Russo family’s skating rink serving as the primary location where training, family drama, and relationship complications intersect.
The timeline moves relatively quickly across its eight episodes, compressed by the realities of competitive season scheduling. Adriana’s return to ice dancing after a two-year absence following her mother’s death sets the emotional stakes. The series explores how grief has affected each family member differently while they all attempt to honor Sarah’s memory through continued skating excellence.
Training sequences show the progression from Adriana and Brayden’s initial partnership through their preparation for the high-stakes World Championships. Parallel storylines follow the other competitors, including Freddie and Riley’s partnership, creating an ensemble view of the competitive skating world where personal relationships and professional ambitions constantly overlap.
The fake dating scheme unfolds across social media and public appearances, showing how modern athletes navigate sponsorship requirements and public image management. This contemporary element grounds the story in current realities of sports marketing and influencer culture.
The Soundtrack
Music plays a crucial role in Finding Her Edge, enhancing both the emotional drama and the on-ice performances that drive the story. The soundtrack combines contemporary pop hits with instrumental pieces suitable for competitive ice dancing routines. Here are the standout tracks featured throughout Season 1:
Featured Songs
- “Other Side” by Reem – Sets the tone for Adriana’s journey as she contemplates returning to competitive skating after her two-year hiatus.
- “Home” by Tony K & Reem – Reflects the Russo family’s connection to their skating rink and the legacy they’re fighting to preserve.
- “Wonderland” by Reem – Captures the magical, almost dreamlike quality of ice dancing at its finest.
- “golden hour” by JVKEÂ – Features during romantic moments, highlighting the golden possibilities of new connections.
- “Bad Energy” by Reem – Underscores tension and conflict between characters as competition heats up.
- “ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine – Provides emotional depth during vulnerable character moments.
- “Die For You” by The Weeknd – Accompanies intense romantic scenes between key characters.
- “Daylight” by David Kushner – Features during pivotal emotional breakthroughs.
- “Line Without a Hook” by Ricky Montgomery – Highlights heartbreak and longing, particularly involving past relationships.
- “Arcade” by Duncan Laurence – Underscores the theme of fighting for what you love despite impossible odds.
- “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron – Reflects on past relationships and moments that changed everything.
- “Let Me Down Slowly” by Alec Benjamin – Featured during relationship complications and difficult conversations.
Ice Dancing Performance Music
Beyond the contemporary pop soundtrack, the series showcases various classical and instrumental pieces used for competitive ice dancing routines. These performances require music that meets International Skating Union technical requirements while allowing skaters to express emotion and tell stories through movement.
The choreographed routines feature everything from classical compositions to modern orchestral arrangements, reflecting each team’s unique style and interpretation. The contrast between the diegetic performance music and the show’s contemporary soundtrack creates a dynamic audio landscape that bridges the athletic and emotional elements of competitive figure skating.
Original Score
The series’ original score enhances dramatic moments, training sequences, and the competitive atmosphere of elite figure skating. The instrumental compositions underscore family tensions, romantic complications, and the physical demands of pushing your body to achieve perfection on ice.
Behind the Book Adaptation
Finding Her Edge originated as a young adult novel by Jennifer Iacopelli, published on February 7, 2022, by Penguin Young Readers. The book belongs to the sports romance genre, combining athletic competition with relationship drama in ways that resonate with readers who love both elements.
The television adaptation was developed by Shelley Scarrow, known for her work on “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” with the story adapted by Jeff Norton. This creative team brings experience in young adult storytelling to a narrative that requires balancing multiple sister storylines, a complex love triangle, family drama, and the technical demands of portraying competitive ice dancing authentically.
Adapting from page to screen required some changes to streamline the story for eight episodes while maintaining the emotional core of Iacopelli’s novel. The book’s exploration of family legacy, the pressure of expectations, and the complications of fake dating translate to television with visual elements that bring the ice dancing world to life through costumes, choreography, and cinematography.
The series maintains the novel’s central tension: Adriana caught between honoring her family’s legacy and discovering what she truly wants for herself, all while navigating complicated feelings for two very different partners. The adaptation expands the roles of Adriana’s sisters, giving Elise and Maria more developed arcs that enrich the family dynamics central to the story.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Finding Her Edge premiered to mixed reviews, with critics praising certain elements while finding others lacking. The sister dynamics, particularly Elise’s character development, received positive attention. Alexandra Beaton’s performance as the eldest Russo sister earned praise for bringing depth and complexity to a character dealing with lost identity and shifting family roles.
However, some reviewers noted that the series treats ice dancing itself as “background noise” rather than fully engaging with the sport’s technical demands and cultural specifics. Critics familiar with figure skating pointed out that the compressed eight-episode season doesn’t allow enough time for character development or to properly showcase the training and dedication required at elite competitive levels.
The love triangle received mixed responses. While some viewers enjoyed the romantic tension between Adriana, Brayden, and Freddie, others found the chemistry between the leads inconsistent. The fake dating trope, while popular in romance fiction, struck some as rushed in its execution, with the transition from performance to genuine feeling happening too quickly.
Positive reception focused on the family drama elements, with the complicated relationships between the three Russo sisters providing emotional depth. Maria’s questioning of whether skating is her true passion resonated as an authentic portrayal of young people weighing family expectations against personal desires.
Latest Updates and Future Prospects
As of January 2026, Finding Her Edge has just premiered with all eight episodes available for streaming on Netflix. The series arrives during an Olympic year, with the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place in Italy, making figure skating particularly topical for viewers.
Netflix has not yet announced whether the series will return for a second season. Renewal decisions typically depend on viewership numbers, critical reception, and whether the creative team sees potential for continuing the story. The season finale’s resolution of certain plot threads while leaving others open suggests the possibility of future seasons exploring the Russo sisters’ continued journeys.
If renewed, a potential second season could follow the sisters through another competitive season, explore new romantic developments, and continue examining the family’s financial struggles and legacy questions. The younger sister Maria’s storyline particularly leaves room for expansion as she decides whether to pursue skating seriously or forge her own path outside the family tradition.
The series benefits from timing its release during a year when figure skating captures global attention through Olympic competition. Real-life skaters Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier’s involvement connects the fictional world to actual elite competition, potentially drawing interest from figure skating fans curious about a dramatic interpretation of their sport.
Where to Watch
All eight episodes of Finding Her Edge are currently streaming exclusively on Netflix worldwide. The series carries a TV-PG rating, making it appropriate for younger viewers while still addressing mature themes about grief, identity, and relationship complexity.
Final Take
Finding Her Edge presents a world where artistic expression meets athletic precision, where family legacy creates both opportunity and burden, and where discovering what you truly want requires courage to potentially disappoint those who’ve invested everything in your success. Whether the series finds its audience and continues beyond its initial eight episodes remains to be seen, but it offers a glimpse into the glittering, demanding world of competitive ice dancing wrapped in young adult drama sensibilities.
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