Netflix viewers are losing sleep over Finding Her Edge, the addictive 8-part Canadian teen romance drama that premiered worldwide on January 22, 2026, and has rocketed up the charts with lightning speed. Adapted from Jennifer Iacopelli’s 2022 YA novel, this soapy, heartfelt sports romance set in the high-pressure world of competitive figure skating has fans binge-watching entire seasons in one sitting, confessing emotional exhaustion, stunned reactions, and desperate pleas for more—while realizing nothing in the story is quite what it first appears.
The series centers on the Russo family, guardians of Russo Rink in picturesque Ontario—a once-glorious ice facility tied to their Olympic legacy. Patriarch Will Russo (Harmon Walsh), a former gold-medal figure skater, has struggled since his wife’s death, letting the rink’s finances slide while pushing his eldest daughter Elise (Alexandra Beaton) toward Olympic glory. Middle sister Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys), 17, stepped away from competitive ice dancing years earlier after her mother’s tragic death and the painful breakup of her on-ice partnership—and first romance—with Freddie (Olly Atkins). Now, with the family rink facing closure, Adriana reluctantly laces up again to compete and secure sponsorships that could save everything.
Enter Brayden Elliott (Cale Ambrozic), the charismatic, bad-boy new partner assigned to Adriana. Their chemistry is instant and electric on the ice, but off it, sparks fly in complicated ways. To land a major sponsor who wants a “perfect couple” narrative, Adriana and Brayden fake a romance—posting cute photos, staging PDA, playing up the fairy-tale angle. What starts as a calculated PR move quickly blurs lines: real feelings emerge, jealousy flares, and Adriana’s lingering love for Freddie—who reappears on the circuit with his new partner Riley (Millie Davis)—turns everything upside down.
The love triangle becomes the beating heart of the show. Adriana grapples with who she truly wants: the safe, familiar Freddie, whose history with her is laced with grief and unfinished business, or the thrilling, unpredictable Brayden, who challenges her to grow while hiding vulnerabilities of his own. The fake-to-real romance trope is executed masterfully—tender moments on the rink, stolen glances, late-night practices that turn intimate—building tension that keeps viewers glued. But the series is far more than romance: it’s a family drama about legacy, grief, sisterhood, and the pressure to live up to impossible expectations.
The three Russo sisters shine. Elise, the golden child, battles injury and the fear of failure. Youngest Maria (Alice Malakhov) brings innocence and joy to the rink, reminding everyone why they fell in love with skating. Their dynamics—supportive yet strained—feel raw and real, grounding the soapy elements in authentic emotion. The skating scenes, while occasionally criticized for editing quirks, capture the beauty, athleticism, and romance of ice dancing, with lifts, spins, and pairs routines that look breathtaking.
The show pulls viewers in fast with glossy visuals, catchy soundtrack, and addictive pacing. Each episode ends on a hook— a kiss, a confession, a betrayal, a competition setback—forcing many to binge all eight episodes (roughly 45 minutes each) in one night. Fans admit staying up until dawn, then reeling from the emotional whiplash. The “perfect” facade crumbles episode by episode: sponsorship deals hide ulterior motives, family secrets surface, rivalries turn vicious, and the love triangle forces impossible choices. By the finale, Adriana’s decision about her heart—and her future—leaves audiences stunned, unsatisfied in the best way, and clamoring for Season 2. (Netflix has not yet renewed, but strong viewership and social buzz suggest hope.)
Social media is flooded with reactions. On Instagram and TikTok, clips of Adriana and Brayden’s chemistry go viral, with captions like “Team Brayden forever” or “That carousel kiss ruined me.” Reddit threads dissect the ending: some heartbroken over the choice, others praising the character growth and realistic portrayal of teen relationships. Comments range from “I cried at 3 a.m.” to “Why didn’t anyone warn me how deep this gets?” The series earns praise for blending lighthearted teen drama with heavier themes—grief, mental health in sports, family pressure—without feeling preachy.
The cast delivers standout performances. Madelyn Keys brings vulnerability and fire to Adriana, making her journey from reluctant comeback to confident competitor believable. Cale Ambrozic’s Brayden is magnetic—cocky yet layered, with moments of genuine sweetness that make the fake romance feel dangerously real. Olly Atkins’ Freddie adds quiet intensity, while the supporting players (including Niko Ceci, Meredith Forlenza, and Millie Davis) flesh out a vibrant world of coaches, rivals, and rink regulars.
Finding Her Edge is easy to watch but deeply meaningful—tender, addictive, and quietly devastating. It lures you in with romance and skating glamour, then shatters expectations with twists, emotional depth, and an ending that feels earned yet leaves you wanting more. Viewers are left emotionally shattered, questioning what they thought they knew about love, family, and second chances.
If you’re in the mood for a binge that combines heart-pounding sports action, swoony romance, family drama, and a slow-burn love triangle that defies easy answers, Finding Her Edge is streaming now on Netflix. Just be prepared: once you start, you won’t stop—and you might not sleep.
