Netflix has officially cast Daisy Jelley and Connor Simos as the leads for its upcoming series adaptation of the bestselling novel Icebreaker. The project, based on the first installment of Hannah Grace’s Maple Hills book series, marks a significant move for the streaming giant into the “hockey romance” subgenre that has seen explosive growth on social media platforms like TikTok.
Jelley will portray Anastasia “Stassie” Allen, a competitive and driven figure skater. Opposite her, Simos will play Nathaniel “Nate” Hawkins, the captain of the university’s hockey team. According to TheWrap, the story follows the two athletes as they are forced to share a rink, leading to a complicated and eventually romantic rivalry.
Production and Creative Team
The series is moving quickly into development, with production scheduled to begin in October 2026. Netflix has assembled a creative team with deep roots in young adult and contemporary drama. Amanda Lasher, known for her work on Gossip Girl and The Bold Type, will serve as the series showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Jade Halley Bartlett is credited as the creator and will also executive produce.
The project also marks a major television venture for Alex Cooper, the creator of the Call Her Daddy podcast. Cooper is executive producing the series through her company, Unwell Productions. The involvement of Cooper and Lasher suggests a focus on the mature, character-driven themes that made the source material a viral success.
The Rise of the Maple Hills Phenomenon
The decision to adapt Icebreaker follows the novel’s massive commercial success. Since its release, the book has sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide and maintained a position on the New York Times bestseller list for 70 consecutive weeks. Its popularity was fueled largely by the “BookTok” community, which helped propel the “sports romance” genre into the mainstream.
For the cast, the series represents a major career step. Connor Simos is a relative newcomer, though his profile is expected to rise significantly ahead of Icebreaker; he is also set to appear in the upcoming thriller Subversion alongside Chris Hemsworth and Lily James.
While Netflix has not yet confirmed a specific premiere date, the October production start indicates a likely release in late 2027. The adaptation joins a growing slate of romance-focused content on the platform as streamers increasingly look to established literary fanbases to drive viewership.
