A new teen drama series centred on ice skating has soared up the Netflix charts since being released a few days ago. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Jennifer Iacopelli, which itself was loosely based on the Jane Austen classic Persuasion, all eight episodes of the Canadian series Finding Her Edge dropped on Netflix on January 22.
It stars Madelyn Keys as Adriana Russo, a figure skating star who returns to the sport two years after the death of her gold medallist mother. When given the chance to carry on her family's Olympic legacy and save their financially struggling ice rink, she jumps at the opportunity. However, when searching for a partner to compete with, Adriana is forced to turn to the cocky bad boy of ice dancing, Brayden Elliot, played by Cale Ambrozic.
Things get complicated when her former ice-dancing partner and ex-boyfriend Freddie O'Connell (Olly Atkins) turns up with other Canadian Olympic hopefuls to train at her family's elite ice rink. The synopsis teases: 'At first, Freddie seems ready to forgive and forget — perhaps even rekindle something – until he sees her skate with Brayden. Because, despite the vitriol Adriana and Brayden spew at each other, their chemistry on the ice is undeniable.'
Since its release, the show is currently the fifth most-watched series in the UK. Critics have offered mixed reviews, with some praising its 'binge-worthy' quality and others noting it 'doesn't quite find its edge'. The series also features cameos from five-time Canadian figure skating champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, while British champions Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson voiced television commentators.
