Key Points
- Finding Her Edge is Netflix’s new YA drama centered on ice dancing.
- The series follows Adriana Russo, a former skater pulled back into competition after family turmoil.
- Adapted by Jeff Norton from Jennifer Iacopelli’s novels, the show leans heavily on familiar YA tropes.
- Performances and character arcs feel inconsistent, though the skating sequences provide occasional highlights.
- Best suited as light background viewing rather than a deeply engaging drama.
A YA Drama on Thin Ice
Netflix’s latest teen drama, Finding Her Edge, attempts to blend family conflict, romance, and competitive ice dancing into a coming-of-age story. While the premise offers potential for emotional depth and athletic spectacle, the series ultimately struggles to deliver the passion and drive needed to stand out in a crowded YA landscape.
The Storyline
Adapted by Jeff Norton from Jennifer Iacopelli’s books, the series centers on Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys), the overlooked middle child of a skating dynasty. Once a promising ice dancer, Adriana quit the sport after her mother’s death two years earlier. Her father, Will (Harmon Walsh), a former Olympian, shows little enthusiasm for ice dancing, focusing instead on keeping the family’s training facility afloat.
When her older sister Elise (Alexandra Beaton), an Olympic hopeful, suffers an injury, Adriana reluctantly returns to the rink. She partners with the arrogant but skilled Brayden (Cale Ambrozic), while her ex-boyfriend and former skating partner Freddie (Olly Atkins) reemerges with Adriana’s childhood best friend Riley (Millie Davis).
Tropes and Familiar Beats
The narrative unfolds with a mix of sibling rivalry, love triangles, social media scandals, and fake dating schemes—hallmarks of YA dramas like The Summer I Turned Pretty. While predictable, these elements provide enough drama to keep casual viewers entertained.
The ice dancing sequences, though marred by obvious body doubles, remain the show’s strongest asset. They offer moments of intensity and romance, even if the execution feels more staged than authentic.
Performances and Characters
The ensemble cast delivers uneven performances, with chemistry that rarely matches the script’s lofty descriptions. Ambrozic’s Brayden, billed as the “bad boy of figure skating,” comes across more flaky than rebellious. Keys and Ambrozic share a pleasant rapport but lack the fiery spark the series insists they have.
The most consistent presence is Camille (Meredith Forlenza), a coach and family friend whose warmth and patience ground the otherwise erratic character dynamics.
Overall Impression
Finding Her Edge offers moments of sweetness and humor, particularly in scenes of sibling bonding or unexpected camaraderie between rivals. However, the show’s reliance on clichés, inconsistent character arcs, and uneven performances prevent it from rising above mediocrity.
For viewers seeking a light distraction, the series provides mild entertainment without demanding much attention. But for those hoping for a gripping YA drama with emotional depth, Netflix’s latest skating saga falls short.
What Happens Next?
With its first season now streaming, Finding Her Edge will need to sharpen its storytelling and character development if it hopes to carve out a lasting place among Netflix’s YA offerings. Whether audiences embrace it or move on to more compelling dramas remains to be seen.
