Finding Her Edge - Season 1 (2026) TV Series Review: A Sincere but Uneven Spin Through Family Legacy and Rinkside Romance on Netflix

Television has long lacked a worthy successor to the heartfelt, sincere young adult sagas that defined the turn of the millennium, but Netflix’s Finding Her Edge makes a compelling play for that empty throne. Swapping the golden hour glow of The Summer I Turned Pretty for the bracing, high-stakes atmosphere of a Canadian ice rink, this eight-episode debut—penned by Jeff Norton and based on Jennifer Iacopelli’s novel—premiered on January 22, 2026. The series centers on the Russo family, a figure skating dynasty teetering on the edge of collapse as they struggle to preserve their legacy and their home rink in the wake of their matriarch’s death.

The ensemble is led by Madelyn Keys as Adriana Russo, the middle sister who returns to the ice after a two-year hiatus. She is joined by Cale Ambrozic as the talented but arrogant Brayden Elliot, Olly Atkins as her former partner and ex-boyfriend Freddie O’Connell, and Alexandra Beaton as the eldest Russo sister, Elise. At its core, the season sets up a classic YA framework: a love triangle, a "fake dating" scheme to attract sponsors, and the heavy burden of family expectations. While it aims for the heights of prestige sports dramas like Spinning Out, it often feels more akin to a modern update of Ice Princess, focusing more on the "vibes" of teenage rebellion than the gritty technicalities of the sport.

Narrative Arc and Pacing: The Friction Between Sport and Soap

The storytelling in Finding Her Edge operates on two distinct tracks that don't always glide in perfect harmony. On one hand, we have the sports-centric plot involving Adriana’s quest to return to elite competition and save her father’s business from foreclosure. On the other, there is a thick layer of romantic tropes, including a "will-they-won't-they" triangle and a social media-driven fake relationship. The season is tightly plotted in terms of its eight-episode count, avoiding a mid-season slump by constantly pivoting between family secrets and rinkside drama, though this speed sometimes comes at the cost of narrative depth.

The primary theme explored throughout the episodes is the weight of legacy. The Russo sisters are not just skating for themselves; they are carrying the ghosts of their parents' Olympic success. However, the narrative arc regarding the actual skating feels rushed. The transition from Adriana being an administrative assistant to a World-caliber competitor happens with a speed that defies the laws of athletic training. While the show succeeds at building emotional stakes, it falters in its episodic structure by prioritizing the "fake dating" drama over the actual progression of the sport, leaving many technical questions unanswered for the sake of the romance.

Character Evolution and Performances: A Sisterhood Worth Routing For

The true triumph of the season lies not in its romantic leads, but in the complex relationship between the three Russo sisters. Alexandra Beaton’s portrayal of Elise is the season's definitive highlight. Elise begins the series as a "mean girl" archetype, a star athlete whose identity is shattered by a career-threatening injury. Watching her navigate the resentment of being "replaced" by her younger sister provides the show's most grounded and heartbreaking moments. Beaton captures the vulnerability of a girl who only knows how to be a champion, and her gradual shift toward becoming a supportive teammate is a beautifully handled arc.

Madelyn Keys brings a determined, muscular energy to Adriana, making her struggle with her returning passion for the ice feel authentic. However, the chemistry in the central love triangle is inconsistent. While Adriana and Brayden (Cale Ambrozic) have moments of palpable tension during their steamy routines, Freddie (Olly Atkins) often feels like a narrative afterthought. The audience is told about his deep history with Adriana rather than being shown why they belonged together, which makes her eventual flip-flopping feel unearned. Surprisingly, the most refreshing dynamic is the unexpected bond that forms between the two male rivals, Brayden and Freddie, as they find common ground outside of their shared affection for Adriana. Alice Malakhov’s Maria (Mimi) also shines as the rebellious youngest child who wants a "normal" life away from the rink, providing a necessary counterpoint to her sisters' obsession with the spotlight.

Direction and Production Value: The Aesthetic of Modern Teen Drama

Visually, Finding Her Edge is a product of its time, though not always to its benefit. The show employs a modern, somewhat flat color grading that leans heavily into greys and dull tones, which can make the world feel curiously muted for a sport known for its glitter and glamor. The production design of the Russo Rink is effective, creating a lived-in "wasp's nest" environment where the pressure is constant. However, the world-building is occasionally undermined by the way the skating sequences are filmed.

The series relies heavily on stunt doubles for the actual ice dancing, which is understandable given the Olympic-level maneuvers being portrayed. Unfortunately, the editing often makes these doubles "hilariously obvious," breaking the immersion of the performance. Instead of high-energy, rinkside choreography, many scenes take place in a dance studio on "dry land," which limits the visual excitement of seeing these characters evolve as athletes. There is a certain "iPhone baby" aesthetic to the visuals; they are smooth and AI-adjacent, lacking the gritty, cinematic texture found in older sports dramas.

Trailer Finding Her Edge - Season 1 (2026) TV Series

Soundscape and Atmosphere: Blades, Beats, and Teen Angst

The atmosphere of the show is built on a foundation of mild-toned teen angst. The opening credits and theme music signal a "cozy" experience, ensuring the viewer that while there will be drama, it won't ever get too dark or mopey. The sound design excels at capturing the visceral sounds of the rink; the sharp scrape of blades on ice and the echoes of a cavernous training facility add a layer of realism to the setting.

Music plays a major role in the "heart" of the ice dancing routines. The show leans into the idea that ice dance is about "vibes" and "connection" rather than technical skill, a theme reflected in the sensual and intense tracks chosen for the performances. However, the soundtrack occasionally feels like it’s trying too hard to bridge the gap between 2005 Disney and 2026 Netflix, resulting in some inconsistent musical choices that don't always match the intensity of the scene.

Strengths and Weaknesses

What works well:

• The Russo Sisterhood: The chemistry between Adriana, Elise, and Mimi is the emotional backbone of the series.
• Alexandra Beaton’s Performance: She transforms a potentially unlikable character into the show's most fascinating figure.
• Grounded Grief: The show handles the family’s delayed grief over the mother’s death with surprising maturity.
• Male Friendship: The unexpected bonding between Brayden and Freddie provides a rare break from toxic romantic rivalry.
• Easy "Binge-ability": It is a "blandly pleasant" distraction that works well as a background watch.

What doesn't work:

• Technical Inaccuracy: Purists will be frustrated by the nonsensical scoring and the unrealistic speed of the athletic progression.
• Weak Love Triangle: The lack of chemistry with Freddie makes the central romantic conflict feel lopsided and unearned.
• Stunt Double Use: The reliance on doubles is too noticeable, detracting from the "World Championship" stakes.
• Dismissive View of the Sport: The father's constant belittling of ice dance as a "lesser" discipline undermines the protagonist’s journey.
• Visual Flatness: The dull color grading and gray tones prevent the show from feeling as vibrant as its subject matter.

Final Verdict: A Comforting Spin on Thin Ice

Rating: 3/5 stars

Ultimately, Finding Her Edge justifies the time investment for viewers looking for a low-stakes, cozy romance that prioritizes family dynamics over athletic realism. It is a show that understands the appeal of its tropes and delivers them with a sincerity that will resonate with younger teens, particularly those in the 13-15 age range. While it lacks the "prestige" depth of Spinning Out or the technical accuracy of a true sports documentary, it succeeds as a modern Hallmark-adjacent piece about girls finding their identity under pressure.

Younger audiences and fans of YA novel adaptations will likely binge-watch this with ease, enjoying the "sizzling" rinkside chemistry and the relatable sisterly bickering. However, figure skating enthusiasts and viewers who demand logical consistency in their sports narratives might find the "vibes-based" approach to competition frustrating enough to skip it. Despite its flaws, the season ends with a cliffhanger that leaves the door wide open for a more polished second outing. It is a solid attempt at a niche genre that, like its protagonist, just needs a bit more time on the ice to truly find its edge.

Watch or Pass? Watch if you are looking for a comforting, trope-filled YA romance; Pass if you are a skating purist seeking a realistic depiction of the sport.

The eight-part series was released on Netflix on 22 January 2026.