If you're not watching 'Heated Rivalry' yet, you're missing out
Queer romance meets sports rivalry in this breakout hit, and the whole world is tuning in.
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Queer romance meets sports rivalry in this breakout hit, and the whole world is tuning in.
Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov’s (Connor Storrie) may be hockey rivals on the ice, but find love outside of the rink.
Photo from HBO Max
The action may take place on the ice, but Heated Rivalry is the hottest show of the season. All six episodes are currently streaming on HBO Max, and the whole world is watching.
The queer romance centers around two hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) who play on rival hockey teams who find love off the ice. As their relationship deepens from a casual fling to love, they navigate how their romance would impact their careers, in the face of ambition, public image, and success.
Based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers series of novels, it has been praised for its authenticity and handling of LGBTQ+ themes. Alongside the show's high production values and sensitive storytelling, which has garnered the show a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Since Heated Rivalry premiered in late November, Williams and Storrie have become overnight sensations. Williams was greeted by throngs of women on the way to a guesting on NBC's The Tonight Show, where he taught Jimmy Fallon hockey stretches.
They've also been making the rounds of interviews and guest appearances to talk about the show. The show is so steamy that it earned a spot in comedian Chelsea Handler's opening monologue at the recent Critics Choice Awards, noting how the show appeals not only to the LGBTQ community, but to women and men, too.
It was just reported that the two Heated Rivalry stars will be making their awards season debut as presenters at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, happening this Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Their co-star Francois Arnaud was also a featured presenter in the recent Critics Choice Awards.
Unfortunately, it looks like fans would have to wait past 2026 before before season 2 premieres on HBO Max. In an interview with Variety, show creator Jacob Tierney shared that he has yet to write new episodes for the show, pushing back production schedules. He does guarantee that Heated Rivalry will mirror the books, revolving around Shane and Ilya's deepening relationship.
In the meantime, you can binge watch all six episodes of the sizzling hot series, pun intended, on HBO Max.
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