Meet the Netflix Skywalkers: Who Are Daredevil Couple Behind Netflix’s Vertigo-Inducing Documentary

Published 07/02/2026, 10:30 AM EDT

Credits: Netflix

Cinematic stunts typically rely on safe green screens and highly calculated digital camera angles, but a real-world romantic gesture has completely shattered the boundaries of traditional action choreography. A legendary international couple, also known as the Skywalkers, has thrust itself right back into the global news spotlight by turning a dangerous physical exploit into an unbelievable marital milestone.

The background of these famous urban daredevils who continuously risk their lives for artistic expression.

International rooftoppers and their high-altitude achievements

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Angela Nikolau, 33 years old (born June 24, 1993), and Ivan Beerkus (born Ivan Kuznetsov), 32 years old (born May 11, 1994), are globally recognized Russian daredevils who have popularized the extreme subculture known as roof-topping. Operating without ropes, safety harnesses, or protective equipment, the Moscow-born duo scales the tallest skyscrapers and architectural landmarks across the globe.

Their historic list of high-altitude accomplishments includes climbing the massive Goldin Finance 117 structure located in Tianjin, China. They also made international waves by successfully conquering the summit of the Merdeka 118 skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nikolau was raised within a traditional circus family, developing early professional expertise in rhythmic gymnastics, dance, and acrobatic arts.

Beerkus, whose formal legal name is Ivan Kuznetsov, works dynamically as an urban blogger, music producer, and club disc jockey. They have amassed millions of social media followers by sharing dizzying photographs and acrobatic balancing videos captured from terrifying heights.

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The critically acclaimed streaming documentary originally introduced its extreme lifestyle to mainstream media audiences.

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus's documentary on Netflix

The daring couple, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, secured massive mainstream fame as the central subjects of the hit 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story. The acclaimed feature film chronicles their intense romantic relationship alongside the extreme trust required to perform acrobatic maneuvers. The production showcases over 200 hours of personal footage captured by the duo across seven years and six different countries.

The heart-pounding narrative focuses heavily on their highly dangerous, 30-hour illegal infiltration of Malaysia's towering Merdeka 118 building.  By utilizing their natural photography talents, the couple managed to capture breathtaking angles that left traditional camera crews completely stunned. The commercial success of the film permanently established the daring pair as the most famous rooftoppers in modern digital history.

The precise timeline of their recent high-profile stunt in Manhattan, which culminated in a dramatic legal arrest.

The Manhattan proposal and impending legal charges

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the masked couple, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, generated a massive public spectacle by scaling the antenna spire of the Empire State Building. Emerging onto the narrow ledge some 1,454 feet above midtown Manhattan, they unfurled a black banner promoting global peace.

"When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace," the banner read. Immediately after securing the banner, Ivan Beerkus dropped down on one knee on a narrow platform to officially propose, definitely not a regular romantic moment. After Angela Nikolau happily accepted the engagement ring, the newly engaged couple paused to capture celebratory selfies above the city.

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New York Police Department Emergency Services Unit officers quickly climbed the spindly structure to intercept the trespassing daredevils. Upon descending the ladder, the couple was taken into custody without incident and faced multiple severe criminal charges from local prosecutors. Stream Skywalkers: A Love Story today to understand the immense trust behind this historic high-altitude proposal.

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What do you think about the daredevil rooftopers? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1516 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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