Netflix has founds the Icebreaker leads. Daisy Jelley (Poser, How to Have Sex) and Connor Simos (Subversion) have been cast as Anastasia “Stassie” Allen and Nate Hawkins, the streamer announced Monday.
The show, based on Hannah Grace’s best-selling romance novel of the same name, centers around the relationship between a college hockey player and a college figure skater. The novel is the first in Grace’s college-set Maple Hills series and is one of, if not the, most recognizable title in the hockey romance sub-genre.
The show’s synopsis reads, “The upcoming college romance series follows Anastasia Allen, a competitive figure skater with her eyes on Olympic gold. Everything changes when Anastasia is forced to share the rink with Nate Hawkins, a hockey player who’s equally determined to go pro. Despite the cold temperatures on the ice, the heat between Anastasia and Nate is undeniable. Is ambition or attraction the sharper blade?”
Amanda Lasher (Gossip Girl, The Bold Type) will serve as the showrunner. She’ll co-write and execute produce the series alongside Jade Bartlett, who’s created as the creator. Alex Cooper’s Unwell Productions is executive producing the series with Cooper, Matt Kaplan and Meena Lefevre also serving as EPs. Grace also serves as an executive producer on the project.
The greenlight comes on the heels of two successful hockey romance series at other streamers. Crave and HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry kicked off the wave on television (it’s long been popular in the romance novel space) in November. The show, which follows the decade-long romance between two rival hockey players, became a global hit and launched its two stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, into the spotlight. It’s set to return in 2027 for its second season.
Earlier this summer, Prime Video released its foray into hockey romance, Off Campus, which became the streamer’s third biggest debut ever. The buzzy show, centered around a college hockey team and the women in their lives, is currently shooting its second season, which will feature a new couple — played by Mika Adballa and Stephen Kalyn — in the leading roles.
