Heated Rivalry

Premise and Setting

Heated Rivalry follows the clandestine relationship between Shane Hollander, a star centre for the fictional Montreal Metros, and Ilya Rozanov, a talented winger for the rival Boston Raiders in the Major League Hockey (MLH) league. The series begins with their first meeting as rookies, tracing the evolution of their connection from a casual sexual encounter into a deep, years-long romance that must be hidden from the public, their teams, and the media. This tension between their public rivalry and private intimacy forms the core dramatic conflict of the narrative. The story unfolds across various North American cities integral to their hockey careers, including Montreal, Boston, and Tampa, with key moments also set in Las Vegas and Moscow. The production meticulously recreates these locations throughout Ontario, using Hamilton and Toronto as primary filming hubs to stand in for other international settings.

Production and Development

Jacob Tierney initiated the adaptation after reading Rachel Reid's novels, first contacting the author in August 2023. He was drawn to the story's explicit use of sex as character development but faced initial skepticism from studios who wanted to alter the tone. The project found its home at Crave, which picked up the series from a spec script in January 2025. Crucial financing from UK distributor Sphere Abacus in March 2025, alongside Bell Media, ensured Tierney's creative vision remained intact. The series is produced by Tierney and Brendan Brady's company, Accent Aigu Entertainment, with a reported budget of just under $3 million CAD per episode. Principal photography for the first season commenced in April 2025 and lasted for 36 shooting days across Ontario and Quebec.

The production faced the significant challenge of authentically depicting professional hockey and intimate scenes. All hockey sequences were filmed over one week at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, using real hockey players as body doubles and extras. Intimacy coordinator Chala Hunter worked extensively with the cast to choreograph the series' numerous sex scenes, which Tierney insisted were vital to the narrative. A notable creative decision was the absence of frontal nudity, which was entirely Tierney's choice. The series utilized advanced virtual production technology, including LED volume walls from Toronto's Dark Slope, to create backgrounds for locations like Russia and Las Vegas.

• August 7, 2023: Jacob Tierney first contacts author Rachel Reid.
• January 2025: Crave officially picks up the series.
• March 2025: Sphere Abacus joins as a financier.
• April 2025: Principal photography begins in Ontario.
• June 2025: Series officially announced at Bell Media Upfront.
• November 28, 2025: First season premieres on Crave and HBO Max.
• December 12, 2025: Series renewed for a second season.
• August 10, 2026: Filming for the second season begins.

Cast and Characters

The series is led by Hudson Williams as the disciplined and privately vulnerable Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as the charismatic and complex Ilya Rozanov. Both actors, who were working as waiters prior to being cast, signed contracts for three seasons. Tierney prioritized finding actors with both the physicality of athletes and comfort with intimacy, holding chemistry reads to ensure the central relationship was believable. Williams later revealed he portrayed Shane as autistic, a character detail confirmed by author Rachel Reid. The main ensemble includes François Arnaud as Shane's agent, Hayden, and Robbie G.K. as Ilya's friend and teammate, Scott. Christina Chang plays Shane's mother, Yuna Hollander, while Sophie Nélisse portrays Shane's sister, Rose Landry. Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova plays Svetlana, Ilya's friend, a role expanded from the books to challenge Russian stereotypes.

Recurring and guest roles feature a mix of established and emerging Canadian talent. Notable recurring characters include Arthur Moukhortov as Metros goaltender Sorren Miitka and Vitali Makarov as Sergei Vetrov. The series also includes cameo appearances by Canadian media personalities Tyrone Edwards and Lainey Lui as themselves. For the upcoming second season, which adapts Reid's sequel novel The Long Game, a large new cast has been announced. This includes Charlie Gillespie and Justice Smith as the protagonists from another Game Changers book, Role Model, alongside actors such as Edvin Ryding, Emily Hampshire, Daniel Diemer, and Kevin Zegers in various new roles.

Filming Locations and Techniques

Heated Rivalry was filmed extensively across southern Ontario, with Hamilton serving as a primary production base. Dundurn Castle in Hamilton was transformed to represent Moscow for a jogging scene, while the exterior of McMaster University's Burridge Gym stood in for the location of Shane and Ilya's first meeting. The FirstOntario Concert Hall in Hamilton was used for a lavish Los Angeles party scene during the MLH draft. All hockey-related scenes, including locker rooms and arena stands, were consolidated at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph to maintain consistency and logistical efficiency. Establishing shots of Montreal, such as Windsor Station and the Biosphere, were incorporated to ground Shane's storyline in the city.

The production employed a two-camera setup using ARRI ALEXA 35 cameras paired with Panavision T Series anamorphic lenses, giving the series a distinctive cinematic look. For complex location work, the production utilized virtual production stages at Dark Slope in Toronto. These LED volume walls allowed for the creation of dynamic backgrounds, such as the Russian landscape and the Las Vegas skyline, without extensive travel. The series was filmed out of narrative order, which Tierney described as assembling "one giant five-hour movie." Key scenes, like the Las Vegas hotel encounter and an important Tampa hotel conversation, were filmed on the very first day of production, setting the tone for the lead actors' performances.

Music and Soundtrack

The original score for Heated Rivalry was composed by Icelandic-Canadian musician Peter Peter, who was recruited by Tierney via Instagram in mid-2024. Peter Peter composed the music over approximately seven weeks after receiving the edited footage, creating themes that reflect the emotional and competitive arcs of the series. His track "Rivalry" serves as the main theme, while "It's You" accompanies a key intimate moment in the episode "Olympians." The full soundtrack was released digitally by Milan Records on January 16, 2026, with physical CD and LP releases planned for later that year. A separate "MLH Anthem," composed by Anthony William Wallace, was also released as the fictional league's official theme.

The series is also notable for its strategic use of needle-drop songs, which saw significant streaming boosts following their inclusion. The soundtrack features an eclectic mix of Canadian and international artists, including Feist, Wolf Parade, Dilly Dally, and Wet Leg. A cover of t.A.T.u.'s "All the Things She Said" by producer Harrison featured prominently, with its Spotify streams more than doubling after the relevant episode aired. Classical pieces, such as Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, are used to heighten dramatic moments. Tierney has expressed interest in commissioning an original song from Carly Rae Jepsen for a future season, and Miley Cyrus has also shown interest in contributing music.

Release Strategy and International Distribution

Heated Rivalry was initially slated for a February 2026 release to coincide with the Winter Olympics but was moved forward to November 2025 to capitalize on holiday season viewing. The series premiered on Crave on November 28, 2025, following a preview screening at the Image+Nation LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Montreal on November 23. A major component of its success was the simultaneous day-and-date release on HBO Max in the United States, a deal secured just nine days before the premiere following significant online fan campaigning. This strategy propelled the series to become the highest-performing acquired, non-animated debut on HBO Max at the time.

The international distribution expanded significantly following the first season's success. In December 2025, HBO Max secured additional rights for Latin America, parts of Europe, and several Asian markets. The series' global reach was a key factor in its renewal for a second season, with HBO Max returning as a key distribution partner. The show's availability on a major international platform amplified its audience and solidified its status as a Canadian production with worldwide appeal. The release strategy demonstrated the growing power of simultaneous global streaming launches for niche Canadian content.

Reception and Accolades

Heated Rivalry was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Reviewers praised Jacob Tierney's direction and writing, the nuanced performances of the lead actors, and the authentic chemistry between Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. The series was celebrated for its mature and integral handling of sex scenes as narrative devices, a departure from more chaste LGBTQ+ representations. It quickly became the most-watched original series in Crave's history and set viewership records on HBO Max. The show's impact extended beyond ratings, generating substantial discussion about queer representation in sports media and the romance genre.

The series has been honoured with numerous prestigious awards. At the 14th Canadian Screen Awards, it achieved a sweep, winning every category for which it was nominated, including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performance in a Drama Series for Hudson Williams. Its cultural significance was recognized with a Peabody Award and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The show also won the Television Critics Association Award for Program of the Year, a rare feat for a Canadian streaming series. These accolades confirm the show's quality and its resonance within both the television industry and broader cultural conversations.

• Canadian Screen Awards (14th): Best Drama Series. Best Lead Performance, Drama Series (Hudson Williams). Plus all other nominated categories.
• Peabody Award: Winner in the Entertainment category.
• GLAAD Media Award: Outstanding Drama Series.
• Television Critics Association Award: Program of the Year.

Future and Second Season

Crave announced the renewal of Heated Rivalry for a second season on December 12, 2025, following the strong performance of the first. The upcoming season is set to adapt Rachel Reid's 2022 novel The Long Game, which continues Shane and Ilya's story several years after the events of the first season. Jacob Tierney has confirmed he will direct all episodes of the second season and is writing the scripts, though he has indicated he may bring in additional writers for assistance. Production officially commenced on August 10, 2026, after Tierney had cited slower progress on the scripts as a reason for the delayed timeline, with a target release window set for Spring 2027.

The second season will explore new narrative territory, including Shane's process of coming out to his team, an event that occurred off-page in the original novel. Tierney has expressed a desire to depict this moment on screen. The season will also introduce a large ensemble of new characters from the wider Game Changers literary universe, as evidenced by the casting announcements throughout August and September 2026. With expanded international distribution deals already in place and continued partnerships with HBO Max and Bell Media, the second season is positioned to build upon the global success and cultural impact of the first.

Questions about Heated Rivalry

Where can I watch Heated Rivalry in Canada?

Heated Rivalry is exclusively available for streaming in Canada on the Crave platform. The first season premiered on November 28, 2025, and remains on the service. The series was also previewed at the Image+Nation LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Montreal in November 2025. Upon its renewal, a second season was announced and is currently in production for a planned Spring 2027 release, which will also stream on Crave.

Is Heated Rivalry based on a book series?

Yes, the series is an adaptation of the Game Changers contemporary romance book series by Canadian author Rachel Reid. The first season primarily adapts the plot of the second book in the series, also titled Heated Rivalry, published in 2019. The announced second season will adapt the sixth book, The Long Game, published in 2022, which serves as a direct sequel. Author Rachel Reid served as a consulting producer on the television adaptation.

Who are the main actors in Heated Rivalry?

The series stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov. The main ensemble cast includes François Arnaud as Hayden, Robbie G.K. as Scott, Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander, Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana. Both lead actors were relatively unknown prior to being cast, having worked as waiters, and signed contracts for three seasons. For the second season, new cast members like Charlie Gillespie, Justice Smith, and Edvin Ryding have been announced.

Where was Heated Rivalry filmed?

The series was filmed entirely in Canada, primarily across Ontario. Hamilton served as a key filming hub, with locations like Dundurn Castle standing in for Moscow and the FirstOntario Concert Hall used for a Los Angeles party scene. All hockey sequences were shot at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. Additional filming took place in Toronto, Muskoka for the finale, and Montreal for establishing shots. Virtual production stages at Dark Slope in Toronto were used to create backgrounds for international settings like Russia and Las Vegas.

What awards has Heated Rivalry won?

Heated Rivalry has won several major awards. At the 14th Canadian Screen Awards, it swept its categories, winning Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performance for Hudson Williams. The series also received a Peabody Award in the Entertainment category and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The show also won the Television Critics Association Award for Program of the Year. These accolades highlight the show's critical success and cultural impact.

When is the second season of Heated Rivalry coming out?

The second season of Heated Rivalry is currently in development and is scheduled for a Spring 2027 release on Crave. Production officially began on August 10, 2026. The season will adapt Rachel Reid's novel The Long Game and will continue the story of Shane and Ilya. Creator Jacob Tierney is writing and directing the season, which will also introduce new characters from the broader Game Changers book universe.

Sources and further reading

• Heated Rivalry (Wikipedia)
• Heated Rivalry: How a hockey love story became a global ... (bbc.com)
• 23 Heated Rivalry Spots You Can Visit in Real Life (thefilmtripper.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.