By
Isabella Soares
Published Jan 30, 2026, 7:50 PM EST
Isabella Soares is a Senior Writer for Collider, as well as a Cherry Picks-approved critic. A film and TV enthusiast from an early age, Isabella used to write reviews in her journal growing up, which later influenced her career path.
When not writing articles for the website, she is studying journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University with a focus on entertainment. She also enjoys watching musicals at local theaters, attending ballet performances, and going to concerts.
Born and raised in Brazil, Isabella is currently based in Canada.
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Since Finding Her Edge premiered on Netflix, the underlying consensus among viewers is that Brayden Elliot (Cale Ambrozic) and Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys) have a chemistry-filled partnership. Although the skating duo was only faking a relationship to attract sponsors and set themselves up for success on the ice, their arrangement proved there was something more beneath the façade. Still, Adriana's longstanding crush on Freddie (Olly Atkins) led her to choose to be with him at the end, putting her skating partnership with Brayden on the line. Adriana's choice echoes what happens in Jennifer Iacopelli's novel, with some slight yet significant alterations to the screen.
In the book, Adriana admits to being drawn to Brayden, but wouldn't want the friendship and on-ice partnership that she has with him to be impacted by her feelings for Freddie. Brayden's reaction to learning that Adriana is in love with Freddie isn't nearly as dramatic as his response in the Netflix adaptation, with the duo agreeing to call off their fake relationship and keep things professional. Brayden and Adriana's fallout in the series adds a whole new layer of drama and intrigue, leading fans to wonder if a heated rivalry awaits between them if Finding Her Edge gets picked up for Season 2.
In the Book, Brayden and Adriana Remain Skating Partners
Madelyn Keys as Adriana rehearsing a performance with Cale Ambrozic as Brayden in Finding Her EdgeImage via Netflix
In the book, Adriana and Brayden have been partners for a while, but the Russo family legacy lies on the shoulders of Adriana's eldest sister, Elise (Alexandra Beaton). In the Netflix original, there isn't a foundation for Brayden and Adriana's relationship prior to them becoming a skating pair and pretending to be romantically involved. We see them get partnered halfway through the competitive season, having to work twice as hard as Riley and Freddie to even qualify for worlds. When Brayden reaches out to Adriana in Episode 1, he is not only looking for a skating partner who will help him win gold, but he is also looking for someone who will contribute to revamping his public image. Adriana comes from a family that is deemed skating royalty, and being with her is Brayden's best shot at fixing his negative reputation. Adriana is drawn to partnering with Brayden because Elise's injury no longer allows her sister to compete, and with their family undergoing financial difficulties, she is the only one who could save them from bankruptcy.
With both Brayden and Adriana looking to get something out of their on-ice partnership, the stakes become much higher when Adriana and Brayden agree to pretend they are a couple off the ice. In the book, there is a sense of urgency for them to keep up appearances, but they have such a close bond that their agreement doesn't place them in a messy situation. Although Brayden does fall for Adriana, he eventually understands that what she feels for Freddie shouldn't interfere with their skating partnership. He is actually supportive of her and Freddie as a couple, even allowing them to perform together at a reception after he and Adriana become Olympic medalists.
In the series, however, Brayden feels betrayed and loses his temper. Adriana is left to perform alone, with her sisters later joining in to support her on the ice. This book-to-screen difference paved the way for an ending readers hadn't anticipated. Not only are Freddie and Adriana endgame, but they are also skating partners again. This puts them in direct competition with Brayden and Riley, who are now a pair. With both duos wanting to win and having shared history, things are bound to get complicated.
The 'Finding Her Edge' Adaptation Ups the Stakes by Swapping the Pairs
If Finding Her Edge gets picked up for Season 2, the tension between Brayden and Adriana could be the show's driving force. After all, if the scenes on the train and the nightclub taught us anything, it was that they do have a lot of chemistry and the undivided support from the fandom. Adriana might be in love with Freddie, but there is no denying that she and Brayden were great skating partners. Although Freddie and Adriana were paired before she was with Brayden, they never won a championship together. The same goes for Brayden and Riley, who have never skated together before and would have to develop a close bond just as fast as Adriana and Brayden did ahead of worlds.
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Craving deeper adaptation analysis? Subscribe to the newsletter for smart breakdowns of Finding Her Edge's book-to-screen changes, what swapped pairs mean for a potential Season 2, and similar pop-culture adaptation insights you'll actually use. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.With two couples determined to do whatever it takes to win, this won't be a friendly competition. Different from series like The Summer I Turned Pretty and My Life with the Walter Boys, Finding Her Edge doesn't have a second book to use as source material for Season 2. Swapping the pairs at the end of Season 1 sets up a fresh new storyline for audiences to indulge in. This book-to-screen change makes it possible for Adriana and Brayden to still figure out where they stand now that they are no longer skating together and allows for her and Freddie to face new obstacles as they navigate their partnership on and off the rink. One thing is for sure: if Season 2 is greenlit, the love triangle will be far from over.
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Finding Her Edge
Drama
Kids
Romance
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Release Date
2026 - 2026-00-00
Network
Netflix
Writers
Jennifer Iacopelli
Cast
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Madelyn Keys
Adriana Russo
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Alice Malakhov
Maria Russo
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Finding Her Edge
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Netflix
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