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Season 1 – Heated Rivalry

Play trailer 1:29 Poster for Season 1 – Heated Rivalry Nov 2025 Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 77 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A romance set in the world of hockey; Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands.
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Heated Rivalry — Season 1

Heated Rivalry — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jacob Tierney lovingly adapts Rachel Reid's hockey-set romance novels into an all-consuming, steamy, dreamy love fest of true queer intent, making Heated Rivalry a bona fide winner.

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Audience Says

A charged Heated Rivalry between two captivating protagonists delivers a magnetic love story that leaves us wanting more.

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Critics Reviews

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Phillip Maciak The New Republic 2d
The show feels unique. It’s physical and intimate, surprisingly quiet, and it moves strangely, telling its story in lurches and skids. Go to Full Review Caroline Siede Girl Culture (Substack) Jan 16
I assumed Heated Rivalry was going to be a bit absurd, but instead it’s pretty exquisite. Go to Full Review Catharine Hughes New Statesman Jan 14
It would be a mistake -- nay, a disservice -- to try and over-intellectualise this icy romp. Sometimes the riddle really is as straightforward as: what’s better than one hot man? Two. Go to Full Review Monique Jones Just Add Color 3d
C
I think Heated Rivalry is fun—at least for the sex scenes—but it falls short when it comes to character development. Go to Full Review Bill Brioux Brioux.tv Jan 20
Perhaps there are unexpected twists and turns ahead, but I didn’t care enough about Grigorev and Hollander, and while Amaud makes the most of his short scene, nobody else really grabbed me in the pilot. Go to Full Review Lady Jenevia LadyJenevia (YouTube) Jan 19
Heated Rivalry is a compelling story of romance, chosen family, anchored by performances that showcase the many layers of the central characters. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven A @moistvonlipwig 3h I wanted to like this but found something very off about it until I realized "Oh, these characters look like gay men but they're actually women". Cheesy acting, boring main characters, and while they clearly put a lot of time into the sex choreography they probably should've looked into actual gay sex. See more M P @Mimi22222 1d Without exaggeration, one of the best series in a very long time. It is well done in every aspect, acting, camera work, lighting, soundtrack...how close it has stayed to the source material. Thank you Canada and everyone involved! See more Sara G @SaraBG90 2d This show gives a level of emotional maturity that one is not prepared for, the cast gives emotions even without speaking. The book plot was perfectly adapted and it transmits perguntou the author’s message: the love, the pining, the care, the struggles. Just brilliant. See more Ashlee W. @rosecoloredash 2d could've been a 5 star movie See more abril @abril86 3d incredibly beautiful. See more Sarah W @SarahW86 3d Love love love. The chemistry, the pace, the music, the bold choices of the 3rd and 6th episodes make this Season perfect. No notes only joy. Must watch and rewatch. See more Read all reviews
Heated Rivalry — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jacob Tierney

Creator

Hudson Williams

Shane Hollander

Callan Potter

Hayden Pike

Connor Storrie

Ilya Rozanov

Kolton Stewart

Carter Vaughn

Sophie Nélisse

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 28, 2025 Rookies Two rival hockey stars at the peak of their careers face an unexpected emotional connection, challenging their professional paths and disrupting the sports world's expectations. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 28, 2025 Olympians Shane and Ilya keep their secret fling alive while their growing connection is tested by personal and professional pressures. Details Episode 3 Aired Dec 5, 2025 Hunter Four months before the 2014 Winter Olympics, hockey golden boy Scott Hunter stops into a smoothie shop and orders a smoothie recommended by an employee named Kip; Scott finally breaks a scoring slump. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 12, 2025 Rose A moment of unexpected vulnerability and a high-profile romance unleash a storm of turmoil for Shane and Ilya. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 19, 2025 I'll Believe in Anything At dinner with Rose, Shane confirms her suspicions and admits he is gay, they agree to remain friends only; at the 2017 All-Star Game, Ilya and Shane reconnect when Shane reveals his breakup with Rose, and play on the same team for the first time. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 26, 2025 The Cottage Kip and his friends watch on TV as Scott discusses his public coming out while accepting the MVP award; Shane drives Ilya to Shane's cottage, where Ilya reveals his exclusivity and later shares the trauma of his mother's death by suicide. Details
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Heated Rivalry — Season 1

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Heated Rivalry — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Jacob Tierney
Creator
Jacob Tierney
Executive Producer
Justin Stockman, Brendan Brady, Jacob Tierney
Network
HBO Max
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 28, 2025