‘Finding Her Edge’ proves fake dating never stays fake

Netflix is serving up the perfect winter romance with Finding Her Edge, a visually striking teen drama that trades sandy beaches for ice rinks and swaps surfboards for figure skates. The eight-episode series premieres globally January 22, bringing all the emotional intensity fans crave from young adult romance while adding the high-stakes pressure of elite athletic competition.

Based on Jennifer Iacopelli’s novel, the series centers on 17-year-old Adriana Russo, portrayed by Madelyn Keys, a talented figure skater determined to claim her World Championship dream. Her path to glory becomes complicated when she finds herself torn between two partners who represent completely different futures both on and off the ice.

A fake relationship with real consequences

Adriana’s new skating partner Brayden Elliot carries a reputation as the bad boy of figure skating. Cale Ambrozic brings intensity to the role of an ambitious skater whose on-ice chemistry with Adriana translates into something more complex when they hatch a plan to fake a romantic relationship. The scheme aims to secure a crucial sponsorship that could provide the financial lifeline their struggling family rink desperately needs.

What begins as a calculated performance for sponsors and social media quickly blurs the lines between pretend and reality. Real feelings surface in stolen moments between practice sessions and public appearances, creating genuine confusion about what’s authentic and what remains part of the act. The arrangement puts Adriana in an impossible position as she navigates genuine emotions while maintaining the facade they created.

The ghost of first love

Complicating matters further is Freddie O’Connell, played by Olly Atkins, who represents Adriana’s first love and former skating partner. Their history together on the ice created a foundation built on trust, shared dreams and deep emotional connection that doesn’t simply disappear when new partnerships form. Freddie’s presence serves as a constant reminder of what Adriana once had and potentially gave up in pursuit of championship glory.

The love triangle explores whether people can truly separate professional partnerships from personal feelings, and whether choosing ambition over heart represents maturity or betrayal. Adriana must determine if the chemistry she shares with Brayden stems from genuine attraction or simply the intensity of training together toward a shared goal.

A family dynasty crumbling

Beyond the romantic entanglements, Finding Her Edge tackles deeper themes about family legacy and the weight of expectations. Adriana and her two sisters serve as heirs to a once-great skating dynasty now teetering on the brink of financial collapse. The pressure to succeed extends beyond personal ambition into survival mode as they fight to keep the family rink operational.

Alexandra Beaton portrays Elise Russo, one of Adriana’s sisters caught in the same struggle between individual dreams and family obligations. The sisters must balance their own competitive ambitions with loyalty to each other and the legacy their family built over generations. This dynamic adds emotional stakes that extend beyond typical coming-of-age romance, grounding the series in genuine consequences that affect multiple lives.

Behind the scenes

Showrunner and executive producer Jeff Norton leads a Canadian creative team that brings the beloved young adult novel to life for a worldwide Netflix audience. The series marks another collaboration between WildBrain and Netflix, continuing a track record of Canadian productions reaching global streaming audiences.

The production team focused on portraying elite athletics authentically while maintaining the emotional storytelling that makes young adult drama resonate across age groups. Figure skating provides a visually compelling backdrop that cinematography can exploit for dramatic effect while also serving as a metaphor for the balance, precision and trust required in relationships.

Source: Netflix / Davis PR