#FIRSTLOOK: NETFLIX ANNOUNCES NEW ROMANCE DRAMA “ICEBREAKER”

Based on The #1 New York Times Best-Selling Novel by Hannah Grace

Netflix today announced a new college romance drama series, Icebreaker, based on the #1 New York Times best-selling novel by Hannah Grace. The news was shared live onstage by Netflix’s Head of Scripted Series for US and Canada, Jinny Howe, during a fireside chat at the BANFF World Media Festival.

Showrunner/Writer/Executive Producer: Amanda Lasher (Gossip Girl, Togetherness)

Writer/Executive Producer: Jade Bartlett (Road House, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Miller’s Girl)

Executive Producer: Unwell Productions – Alex Cooper, Matt Kaplan, and Mina Lefevre

Logline: 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.

Jinny Howe Quote: “Netflix has a long history of turning beloved romance novels into massive global hits. We know our members can’t get enough of these stories, which makes Icebreaker the perfect next chapter for us. By supercharging the hockey sports romance genre, Icebreaker has ignited a passionate fandom and helped redefine the landscape of contemporary romance. We are thrilled to partner with Jade Bartlett, Amanda Lasher, and the team at Unwell Productions to bring this irresistible love story to life.”

Amanda Lasher Quote: “I have been a fan of steamy YA since the 7th grade; reading Judy Blume stealthily hidden behind a text book. I love this genre, and it’s been a joy working with Jade, the team at Unwell and Netflix to bring Hannah Grace’s beloved Icebreaker novel to the screen..”

Jade Bartlett Quote: “It’s been such a joy to play in Hannah Grace’s world of Icebreaker; a story filled with ambitious, talented, and undeniably sexy characters. But the real special sauce is that, above all, they are good, deeply compassionate people….and we cannot get enough of them. Hannah has created the kind of world you want to live in, and Amanda and I are having an absolute romp with our incredible teams at Unwell and Netflix bringing this cherished story to the screen.”

Headshots and book cover [here]: please download files, do not post link publicly

Building on the massive momentum of the Maple Hills series, Hannah Grace’s Icebreaker continues to reach historic milestones, having spent 70 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Originally published in November 2022 with a wide release in 2023, the blockbuster novel has captivated a massive global audience, surpassing nearly 5 million copies sold worldwide. Translated into 24 languages and distributed across 34 territories, Icebreaker has cemented its status as an international phenomenon, driving total sales for the three-book Maple Hills series past 7.5 million copies globally and becoming a viral sensation.

Netflix adaptations have dominated the Global Top 10 for 13 straight weeks this year, building on a blockbuster 2025 where these stories amassed over 9 billion views, accounting for roughly 20% of total viewing hours. Reaching audiences in 14 countries so far, our page-to-screen hits are proving to be global phenomena that transcend language and format.

Icebreaker joins a lineup of successful adaptations, from recent hit His & Hers (now our 10th Most Popular English series) and fan-favorites like Bridgerton, The Queen’s Gambit, Remarkably Bright Creatures, People We Meet on Vacation, and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Upcoming adaptations include I Will Find You, Little House on the Prairie, East of Eden, and Pride and Prejudice.