Netflix Greenlights Icebreaker Series Adaptation
Netflix has officially greenlit a series adaptation of Icebreaker, the bestselling novel by Hannah Grace, expanding its slate of young adult romance dramas. The project was announced at the BANFF World Media Festival, where Netflix executive Jinny Howe confirmed the adaptation during a fireside chat.
Development Team and Production
The series is being developed by Amanda Lasher and Jade Bartlett, both of whom are attached as writers and executive producers. Lasher will also serve as showrunner. The adaptation will be produced in collaboration with Alex Cooper, Matt Kaplan and Mina Lefevre under Unwell Productions.
Plot Overview
The series is described as a “sex on ice” sports romance, centred on competitive figure skating and hockey rivalry. Based on the first novel in Grace’s Maple Hills series, Icebreaker follows Anastasia Allen, a figure skating hopeful aiming for Olympic success, and Nate Hawkins, a hockey team captain with professional ambitions. Their worlds collide when their teams are forced to share an ice rink, leading to a high-stakes rivalry that evolves into a complicated romantic relationship.
Commercial Success
The book has proven to be a major commercial success, spending more than 70 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and selling nearly five million copies worldwide since its 2022 release.
Netflix’s Strategy
Netflix continues its strategy of adapting popular romance novels, following global hits such as Bridgerton, The Queen’s Gambit and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. The streamer has increasingly focused on the sports romance subgenre, which has seen renewed popularity across books and screen adaptations.
Creator Comments
Amanda Lasher, known for her work on Gossip Girl, The Bold Type and Sweet/Vicious, said the project reflects her long-standing interest in the YA romance genre. Jade Bartlett, who made her feature debut with Miller’s Girl, also expressed excitement about bringing the story’s characters and world to screen.
A release date for Icebreaker has not yet been announced.
