Heated Rivalry

Series Premise and Setting

The series centres on Shane Hollander of the Montreal Metros and Ilya Rozanov of the Boston Raiders, two elite players in the fictional Major League Hockey (MLH). Their fierce on-ice rivalry is well documented by the media and fuels fan animosity between their respective cities. In private, however, the two athletes develop a casual sexual relationship that begins during their rookie year. This relationship continues intermittently over several years, evolving in complexity as they manage the pressures of their careers, public personas, and personal identities. The core tension of the narrative stems from the conflict between their public animosity and private intimacy, exploring themes of identity, secrecy, and the personal cost of professional ambition within the insular world of professional hockey.

Production Development

The series is an adaptation of Rachel Reid's 2019 novel Heated Rivalry, the second book in her Game Changers romance series. Reid drew inspiration from real NHL rivalries, notably Sidney Crosby versus Alexander Ovechkin, and incorporated elements from players like Jaromír Jágr and Wayne Gretzky for her characters. Director Jacob Tierney, known for his work on Letterkenny, approached Reid in August 2023 after listening to the audiobooks, interested in adapting them as a limited series. A key creative challenge was adapting the novels' explicit sexual content, which Tierney viewed as integral to character development rather than gratuitous. Tierney and producer Brendan Brady faced initial resistance from potential financiers who wanted to alter the story's tone or fundamental elements, but they secured backing that preserved their vision.

In January 2025, Crave officially picked up the series based on Tierney's spec script. UK distributor Sphere Abacus joined as a financier in March 2025, ensuring the creative vision remained intact before production began. The series was formally announced at the Bell Media Upfront in June 2025. Tierney serves as creator, writer, director, and executive producer alongside Brady through their company Accent Aigu Entertainment. Author Rachel Reid acts as a consulting producer, and Lori Fischburg is a producer. The budget was set at just under 3 million Canadian dollars per episode. Following the first season's strong performance, Crave renewed the series for a second season on December 12, 2025, with HBO Max returning as an international partner.

Casting and Characters

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie were cast in the lead roles of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively, signing contracts for three seasons. Both actors were working as waiters prior to being cast. Tierney prioritized finding actors with the physicality of hockey players who were also comfortable with nudity and intimacy, and he sought a palpable chemistry between them. The casting process, led by Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay, culminated in a successful chemistry read over Zoom. Storrie auditioned shirtless and was instrumental in suggesting Williams as his co-star after their read. Williams later confirmed he portrayed Shane as being on the autism spectrum, inspired by his own father and with Reid's confirmation of the character's neurodivergence.

The main ensemble cast includes François Arnaud as Shane's agent, Robbie G.K. as Shane's friend Hayden, Christina Chang as Shane's mother Yuna, Dylan Walsh as Shane's father, Sophie Nélisse as Shane's sister Rose, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Ilya's friend Svetlana. Nadine Bhabha, a friend of Tierney's, was the first actor cast, offered the role of Elena without an audition. Arnaud and Chang initially had reservations about the script's explicit nature but were persuaded by how the intimate scenes served the narrative. Kharlamova aimed to challenge stereotypical Western portrayals of Russians through her role, noting the diversity of Russia's ethnic groups. For the second season, adapting Reid's sequel novel The Long Game, a large slate of new actors was announced in 2026, including Charlie Gillespie, Justice Smith, and Edvin Ryding.

Filming and Locations

Principal photography for the first season took place over 36 days in April and May 2025 across Ontario and Quebec. Hamilton, Ontario, served as a primary filming hub, with locations standing in for various international settings. Dundurn Castle was used for a Moscow jogging scene, and the McMaster Burridge Gym outdoor area served as the location for Shane and Ilya's first meeting. The FirstOntario Concert Hall in Hamilton was transformed for a Los Angeles draft party sequence. All hockey sequences, including locker room and ice surface shots, were filmed at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, using real hockey players as body doubles and extras. Jonah De Simone doubled for Williams, and Ralph Taggart doubled for Storrie.

Montreal landmarks like Windsor Station and the Biosphere are featured in establishing shots, and the city's skyline is visible from Shane's apartment. Studio production and virtual production using LED volume walls for backgrounds like Russia and Las Vegas were handled at Dark Slope in Toronto. The series was filmed out of chronological order, which Tierney described as editing one long movie. Intimacy coordinator Chala Hunter oversaw the numerous, choreographed sex scenes, with Tierney deciding against frontal nudity. Filming for the second season began on August 10, 2026, and is scheduled to run until December 2, 2026, with production based in Toronto and location work in Montreal, as confirmed by industry reports in 2026.

Music and Soundtrack

The original score for Heated Rivalry was composed by Icelandic musician Peter Peter, who was contacted by Tierney via Instagram in mid-2024. Peter Peter read early scripts and composed music inspired by them, later reworking his compositions to fit the final footage over a seven-week period. He released the tracks "Rivalry" (the theme song) and "It's You" as a double single on January 9, 2026. The full soundtrack was released digitally by Milan Records on January 16, 2026, with physical releases planned for later that year. Anthony William Wallace composed the "MLH Anthem," released on February 12, 2026.

The series also features a prominent use of needle-drop songs, which saw significant increases in streaming activity after appearing in episodes. Featured tracks include Feist's "Sealion" and "My Moon My Man," Wolf Parade's "I'll Believe in Anything," t.A.T.u.'s "All the Things She Said," and Satine's "C'est toi." Classical pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Ludwig van Beethoven are also used. Tierney expressed interest in having Carly Rae Jepsen contribute an original song in the future, and Miley Cyrus has shown interest in contributing music for the second season, though budget restrictions initially prevented such collaborations.

Release and Distribution

Heated Rivalry had its world premiere at the Image+Nation LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Montreal on November 23, 2025. The first season debuted on Crave in Canada on November 28, 2025. In a significant move for a Canadian original series, it was released simultaneously on HBO Max in the United States and Australia, following an acquisition deal spearheaded by HBO Max executives. This deal was partly attributed to online campaigning by the existing Game Changers book fanbase. The series was originally scheduled for a February 2026 release to coincide with the Winter Olympics but was moved forward to capitalize on holiday season viewer interest.

Following the first season's success, HBO Max expanded its distribution rights in December 2025 to include Latin America, parts of Europe, and several Asian markets. The agreement also included expanded distribution deals with rights for season two secured across multiple international markets. The series quickly became the most-watched original series on Crave. It was also reported as the highest-performing acquired, non-animated debut on HBO Max. Media outlets have described the series as a global sensation and a break-out hit.

Reception and Accolades

Heated Rivalry received widespread critical acclaim upon release. Reviewers particularly praised Jacob Tierney's direction, the writing, and the compelling performances and chemistry between leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. The series was described as a breakout hit and a global sensation, noted for its authentic and nuanced portrayal of a queer relationship. Its success demonstrated a significant audience appetite for sports romance dramas with LGBTQ+ narratives at their centre, solidifying its place in contemporary television.

The series achieved notable recognition during awards season. At the 14th Canadian Screen Awards, it achieved a sweep, winning every category for which it was nominated. These awards included Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performance in a Drama Series for Hudson Williams. Beyond the Canadian awards circuit, the series won a prestigious Peabody Award, a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and the Television Critics Association Award for Program of the Year. These accolades underscore the series' impact both as a quality television production and as a culturally significant story.

Second Season Development

The second season, officially announced in December 2025, 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 book and season. Jacob Tierney will return to direct all episodes and is writing the scripts, though he has indicated he may bring in additional writers for assistance. He has stated an intention to depict Shane coming out to his team, an event that occurred off-page in the original novel. Production is scheduled from August 10 to December 2, 2026, with a base in Toronto and filming also taking place in Montreal. The season is currently slated for a Spring 2027 release on Crave and HBO Max, following a filming period that spans the latter half of 2026.

The second season is set to adapt The Long Game, the sixth book of the Game Changers series. It will introduce a large ensemble of new characters from later books in the Game Changers series. Casting announcements throughout 2026 confirmed actors for roles from novels such as Role Model and Tough Guy. These actors include Charlie Gillespie, Justice Smith, Daniel Diemer, and Shaheen Jafargholi. This approach broadens the series' scope following its initial success.

Questions about Heated Rivalry

Where was Heated Rivalry filmed in Canada?

The first season of Heated Rivalry was filmed primarily in Ontario, with Hamilton serving as a key hub. Specific locations included Dundurn Castle, the FirstOntario Concert Hall, and the McMaster University campus in Hamilton. All hockey scenes were shot at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. Additional filming took place in Toronto, Muskoka for the finale, and Montreal for establishing shots and specific references. Studio and virtual production work was completed at Dark Slope in Toronto. The second season is filming in Toronto and Montreal from August to December 2026.

Is Heated Rivalry based on a book series?

Yes, the series is based on the Game Changers contemporary romance book series by Canadian author Rachel Reid. The first season adapts the second novel in the series, also titled Heated Rivalry (2019). The announced second season will adapt the sixth novel, The Long Game (2022), which is a direct sequel. Reid served as a consulting producer on the television adaptation, and the author drew inspiration for the characters from real-life NHL rivalries and players like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

Who are the main actors in Heated Rivalry?

The series stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov. The main cast includes François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova. For the second season, new actors have been announced, including Charlie Gillespie and Justice Smith as Troy Barrett and Harris Drover. Other announced actors for season two include Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi as Ryan Price and Fabian Salah.

When will Heated Rivalry Season 2 be released?

The second season of Heated Rivalry is currently scheduled for a Spring 2027 release. Filming for the season began on August 10, 2026, and is scheduled to continue until December 2, 2026. The season will adapt Rachel Reid's novel The Long Game and will once again be released on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max internationally. Creator Jacob Tierney has cited slower progress on scripts as a reason for the longer gap between seasons compared to the initial premiere.

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 in a Drama Series for Hudson Williams, among others. The series also won a Peabody Award, a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and the Television Critics Association Award for Program of the Year. These accolades recognize both its quality as a television production and its cultural significance in portraying a queer romance.

How can I watch Heated Rivalry in Canada and the US?

In Canada, Heated Rivalry is available exclusively on the streaming service Crave. In the United States, the series streams on HBO Max, which acquired the rights for a simultaneous release with the Canadian premiere. HBO Max also distributes the series in numerous other international territories, including Australia, parts of Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The first season premiered on both platforms on November 28, 2025.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.