Netflix has found its Stassie and Nate. Daisy Jelley has been cast as Anastasia “Stassie” Allen opposite Connor Simos as Nate Hawkins in Netflix’s upcoming Icebreaker series, officially putting faces to the central couple from Hannah Grace’s bestselling romance novel.
Jelley’s previous credits include Poser, How to Have Sex and Netflix’s Geek Girl. Simos has appeared in Subversion.
Daisy Jelley and Connor Simos Lead Netflix’s Icebreaker Cast
Icebreaker is a college romance drama based on the first book in Grace’s Maple Hills series. The story follows Stassie, a transfer student pursuing her goal of Olympic gold, and Nate, a college hockey star with his sights set on the NHL.
Their paths cross after an accident forces their teams to share the same rink, bringing the two athletes increasingly close despite their very different goals.
Amanda Lasher serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Her previous credits include Gossip Girl, The Bold Type and Togetherness.
Jade Halley Bartlett created the series and executive produces alongside Grace. Alex Cooper, Matt Kaplan and Mina Lefevre also executive produce for Unwell Productions.
The casting of Jelley and Simos gives the adaptation its two most important roles as Netflix moves forward with the series.
Icebreaker Has Sold Nearly 5 Million Copies Worldwide
Netflix is adapting a book that already has a substantial international readership.
Icebreaker was originally published in November 2022 before receiving a wider release in 2023. According to Netflix, the novel has sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide and spent 70 consecutive weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.
The book has also been translated into 24 languages and distributed across 34 territories. Across all three books, the Maple Hills series has now passed 7.5 million copies sold globally.
Icebreaker joins Netflix’s growing list of book adaptations, with upcoming projects also including East of Eden, Pride and Prejudice, The Corrections and Lonesome Dove.
