Madelyn Keys is weighing in after Finding Her Edge had viewers divided between Brayden and Freddie — and she’s clarifying a divisive season 1 season before the show returns for more episodes.
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Keys, 24, addressed Adriana telling now-boyfriend Freddie (Olly Atkins) that her romance with love interest and figure skating partner Brayden (Cale Ambrozic) wasn’t real.
“I think that it was real for Adriana. Everyone can have their own opinion watching the show. Obviously, I’m not here to take that away from you. But when I was reading the scripts and going through it, my personal opinion of what she would be going through is that it absolutely was real for Adriana,” Keys noted. “But I think at the same time, her relationship with Freddie was one that was mixed in with so much of her history — especially so much history of a time that was so important to her.”
Keys pointed out that Adriana’s pull to Freddie was ultimately “stronger” in season 1.
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“Specifically with that ‘It wasn’t real’ line, I think that is something that she says without thinking of the full implications of it,” she explained. “And again, it is without knowing that Brayden is there to witness that moment — even if he doesn’t hear the words. Adriana in that moment is trying to express that the public acts of affection that Freddie was a witness to — that she knew would have hurt him — was part of the plan. She is not referring to the moments that her and Brayden shared privately.”
She continued: “But I also think that’s not what she’s thinking about at the time. If Brayden was there to discuss that with her, she would speak differently.”
Based on Jennifer Iacopelli‘s novel of the same name, Finding Her Edge is a YA romance about a figure skater whose family’s legacy and rink is in jeopardy. She has to pretend to be in a fake relationship with her new partner for sponsorships while still working through feelings for her old partner.
Iacopelli, for her part, also weighed in on Adriana claiming her feelings for Brayden were “not real,” adding, “As far as the show is concerned, this is my interpretation. I think in the show, she didn’t think what she had with Brayden was real — or she was at least lying to herself that it wasn’t real. That’s the vibe I get.”
The author could see where Adriana was coming from.
“She is a one track mind for pretty much the whole book — other than these moments where she’s like, ‘Oh, this is what people are talking about when they talk about a physical connection,’” Iacopelli shared. “She’s having these enlightening moments and maybe she was a little bit obtuse to not recognize those. Hopefully she’s also taking that journey on the page.”
The hit series premiered in January as viewers tuned in to see Adriana’s growing connection with Brayden — and Freddie.
“There absolutely are passionate fans on both sides of the spectrum. For me personally, it has been interesting to see what fans like most about each one. There’s a world in which as Adriana grows in this next season, I hope these same things for those characters as well,” Keys told Us. “Maybe you’re a fan who loves that Freddie is kind even when he is upset with Adriana. He puts her first and is someone who is trying his best at all times — even if that is not taking is taking a step when he feels like he should. That is a quality that Brayden should emulate and that would serve him well.”
The actress added: “At the same time, this sense of having more of self confidence and a self assuredness in who you are and what you want and what you deserve is something that I think Freddie can learn from as well. So I think when you pick a team, how much are you choosing their characteristics — which could change — vs who they are right now? For me, I definitely understand both sides and I’m just excited to read more and see what’s going to happen next.”
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While Iacopelli’s book ended with Adriana making the same decision as the show’s finale, Netflix renewing Finding her Edge meant possible onscreen changes.
“There’s even controversy if this will remain the decision, I don’t know. We got a whole other season to look forward to. I think for me, it was about looking at both what had happened in Jennifer Iacopelli’s book but also its original source material, which is Jane Austen’s Persuasion.”
In addition the main trio, Finding Her Edge also stars Alexandra Beaton, Alice Malakhov, Millie Davis, Niko Ceci and Harmon Walsh. Canadian figure skating champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier appeared as themselves in an episode while British figure skating champions Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson voiced TV commentators on the show. (Iacopelli made a brief appearance as a librarian on the show.)
Keys is excited for where the show will go from here — including Adriana forming bonds outside of her love triangle. More specifically, Keys suggested more scenes between Adriana and Riley (Davis) after that season 1 ending.
“For a lot of season 1, Riley is not treated the way that she should be. I think that Adriana takes her for granted and takes their friendship for granted,” she shared. “So I love in that last moment when we get to see that this isn’t the Riley that we saw before. There’s more to her now and she is confident in that. I want to see Riley get angry at Adriana. I want her to put her in her place and I obviously want them to maintain a friendship throughout it. I hope they find a way to work it out but Adriana absolutely has to be held accountable first.”
Finding Her Edge is currently streaming on Netflix.
