Netflix’s ‘Icebreaker’ Casts Daisy Jelley and Connor Simos as Series Leads

Netflix’s upcoming enemies-to-lovers skating romance Icebreaker begins production in October 2026, and ahead of taking to the rink, the series has unveiled its two leads: Daisy Jelley (Geek Girl, How to Have Sex) and newcomer Connor Simos. 

Netflix has entered the ‘ice-skating drama’ genre a couple of times over the years, with mixed success. The first breakout was Spinning Out (2020), a drama that was well-received but not quite popular enough to merit another season, and it was ultimately cancelled. Then in February 2025, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Jennifer Iacopelli’s hit YA romance Finding Her Edge was a huge success, and filming on its sophomore season is currently underway. 

The next skating romance, Icebreaker, adapts the #1 New York Times best-selling novel 2022 novel of the same name by Hannah Grace. The novel found massive success on TikTok. Unlike Netflix’s YA skating offerings like Finding Her Edge, Hannah Grace’s Icebreaker still fits the romance brand, but it’s a significantly more mature novel. The novel became known for its high levels of on-page sexual content. Author Hannah Grace published a sequel novel Wildfire (2023) and the third novel Daydream debuted in 2024. There’s plenty of source material for Netflix to extend this series into multiple seasons. 

Icebreaker follows competitive figure skater Anastasia Allen, who crosses paths with Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Hawkins, the charming captain of the hockey team. Anastasia lands her dream placement at the University of California, Maple Hills, and it seems like nothing can stop her… and then Nate walks into her life. Anastasia clearly hates him, and they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team. What’s more, Anastasia also has to contend with her controlling original skating partner, Aaron.

The official log-line reads: 

She’s the transfer gunning for Olympic gold. He’s the campus star chasing the NHL. But when an accident forces their teams to share one rink, Anastasia Allen and Nate Hawkins collide—and discipline gives way to obsession, because the only thing more dangerous than wanting to win is wanting each other.

Icebreaker casts its two leads: Who are they?

The novel is being adapted for television by Amanda Lasher (Gossip Girl). The author of the novel, Hannah Grace, is also directly involved as an executive producer. Filming on the series takes place in October. As we prepare for the show to enter production, Netflix has revealed the two stars playing Anastasia and Nate. 

Daisy Jelley as Anastasia — Fans of YA dramas will already be familiar with Daisy Jelley. She portrayed Poppy Hepple-Cartwright in Geek Girl, a role she reprises in Season 2 later this year. She is also well-known for Prime Video’s How to Date Billy Walsh and British drama How to Have Sex (2023). 

Connor Simos as Nate Hawkins – Unlike Daisy Jelley, her co-star Connor Simos doesn’t yet have an extensive filmography, although he did star in indie action movie Subversion directed by Andrew Ferguson. 

When does Icebreaker release on Netflix?

Icebreaker begins production in Vancouver on October 19, 2026. Filming is expected to wrap on March 5, 2027. Netflix has not set a release date, but we estimate that it will begin streaming sometime in late 2027. 

This news was first reported by Variety’s Joe Otterson.