Netflix Series 'Icebreaker' Casts Daisy Jelley and Connor Simos in Lead Roles
By Joe Otterson
TV Reporter | joeotterson
September 28, 2026 6:30am PT
The Netflix series adaptation of “Icebreaker,” based on the popular novel by Hannah Grace, has officially cast its leads. Variety can exclusively reveal that Daisy Jelley and Connor Simos will star in the series, which was first announced in June.
Jelley will play Anastasia "Stassie" Allen, a transfer student aiming for Olympic gold in figure skating, while Simos takes on the role of Nate Hawkins, a campus star chasing an NHL career. The show's logline teases a fiery romance:
"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."
Jelley's previous credits include Netflix series Geek Girl and the upcoming Poser. She has also appeared in films like How to Have Sex. Simos, who will be making his TV debut with this role, stars in the upcoming thriller Subversion alongside Chris Hemsworth and Lily James.
Production Details:
- Writers & Executive Producers: Amanda Lasher and Jade Halley Bartlett (both attached to write and executive produce), with Bartlett credited as the creator and Lasher set to serve as showrunner.
- Producers: Alex Cooper, Matt Kaplan, Mina Lefevre via Unwell Productions
- Executive Producer: Grace (also producing through her company)
Icebreaker is the first novel in Grace's Maple Hills series, which has sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide and spent 70 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. The series follows a similar trend to recent hits like Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, both of which are also adapted from book series.