Popternative is thrilled to welcome Olly Atkins to our digital cover for April 2026. Olly stars as Freddie, an ice dancer in Finding Her Edge, the Canadian figure skating drama based on Jennifer Iacopelli’s best-selling novel. The series premiered on Netflix on January 22 and was renewed for a second season less than a month later, quickly climbing into the platform’s Top 10 in 81 countries and amassing over 12 million views and 33 million hours watched in its first two weeks.

Finding Her Edge centers on the Russo sisters, heirs to a once-iconic figure skating dynasty, now fighting to prevent the business from folding. Middle sister Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys) is training for the World Championships with her new partner, Brayden (Cale Ambrozic), while still processing unresolved feelings for her former partner and first love, Freddie (Olly Atkins). When Adriana and Brayden agree to fake a romance off the ice to for a key sponsorship and save the family business, emotions begin to spiral.

In our exclusive cover story, Olly shares his excitement over the show’s quick Season 2 renewal and success, his preparation for the role, and the rising global impact of Canadian television. While he was familiar with iconic Canadian ice dancers Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue—the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history—he discovered a deeper appreciation for the sport after filming the series.

Getting to spend time with Canadian Olympic bronze medalists Gilles and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier on set also contributed to his appreciation for ice dancing—making it especially exciting to watch them win bronze at the Milan Cortina Games after filming together. Olly also shares what he hopes to explore with Freddie in Season 2, weighs in on the Freddie vs. Brayden debate, and reflects on a few standout moments from Season 1.

Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Cydney Rose
Photography Assistant: Celina Media
Hair & Makeup: Samantha Morrilo 
Stylist: Baldy

Finding Her Edge was an instant hit and renewed for a second season very quickly—what was your reaction to that news, and how did it feel to see audiences from around the world tuning in?

Olly: I was pretty estastatic to hear the news we got the renewal so quickly. I knew we had a pretty good shot after seeing the reception, but to get called up for a Season 2 so soon was incredible. Jeff [Norton] asked us to hop on a Zoom call and as soon as I saw the rest of the cast in the room, I knew we were going back.

Before joining the series, what did you know about the ice dancing world?

Olly: I knew of some of the legends, but not much about the details. I grew up with Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue as Canadian heroes, but the intricacies of the sport were new to me. It’s an incredible sport. It’s a fusion of both this incredibly romantic, dramatic art and a remarkably demanding, technical sport.

With the series debuting just before the 2026 Winter Olympics—and featuring a cameo from Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier in episode 5, who went on to win bronze in Milan—did their appearance and your time on the show give you a new perspective on the sport?

Olly: I was thrilled to see Piper and Paul bring home the bronze. I had a proper fanboy moment watching them after getting to spend time with them on set. It’s sort of like watching your friends win an Oscar or something. I tried not to distract them while we were filming (I would’ve asked them about a million questions) but they definitely illuminated some elements of the sport.

Canadian series are making a huge impact worldwide—how does it feel to represent that as part of this show?

Olly: It feels like it’s about time. Canadians have been pumping out incredible series for a long time—I’d argue most people just don’t realize how many of their favourite series are actually Canadian. To get to be part of what I feel is going to be a bit of an Canadian renaissance is both a privilege and incredibly exciting. I think this is just the start.

How did you prepare to step into the world of a competitive ice dancer—what did the training process involve?

Olly: Once I got the call I was going to be a part of the show I hit the gas immediately. I had very little time until we started filming, so as soon as I had a pair of skates, I was down at my rink essentially daily to get ready. I had no illusions that I was starting from pretty much zero, and I wanted to get to a place where I was trainable at the very least and camera ready for the simple stuff before I got to Toronto. In Ontario, I was in the hands of the great Brad Hopkins, and things took off from there. I knew any of the time I spent training for the skating would also help with ownership of Freddie’s character as well so it was an essential part of the preparation.

If you can share, what can audiences expect from Season 2, and what are you most excited to see from Freddie’s character development?

Olly: I can’t share too much. Of course, more love triangle and more drama. I can’t wait to explore more of Freddie’s story and finally get to see him in action—both romantically and competitively. We’ve seen him on the back foot in Season 1, let’s see what happens now that he has what he wants. I’d love to spend some more time with Brayden and Elise [played by Alexandra Beaton].

The finale had Adriana choosing Freddie over Brayden, sparking a lot of debate among fans—would you say you’re team Freddie or team Brayden?

Olly: It’s hard, because I’m so invested in Freddie. I love him, despite all his flaws. I think that in preparing the character and the empathy that I feel for him, it’s hard to be anything but team Fred. As an audience member, I’m firmly in the team Brayden camp. Cale [Ambrozic] is so incredibly watchable and Brayden is this fantastic, dynamic, driven character that it’s hard not to root for the guy.

Was there a moment in Season 1 that stood out as your favorite to film?

Olly: I think my answer to this question has probably changed every time I get asked it. Sharing the screen with a bunch of people who have become great friends makes it naturally quite difficult to choose. It’d be much easier to pick one with each character. The gym scene with Brayden where we talk about the difficulties with our families, the bench scene with Elise, and the carousel scene in Paris with Adriana are all standouts.

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Finding Her Edge is streaming on Netflix.

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