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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
96% Tomatometer 89 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 2,500+ 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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Scott Bryan BBC.com Mar 11
You tune in initially because you hear about this hockey drama about two guys who hook up in secret thinking that it's going to be a sexy, horny piece of TV. And it is. But it ends up being something way, way more than that. Go to Full Review
Phillip Maciak The New Republic Jan 27
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
Rose Ho The Asian Cut Mar 7
5/5
With so much care given to story, performance, and representation, it’s clear that Heated Rivalry sets a new precedent for modern romances on our TV screens and streaming services. Go to Full Review
Agustín Pérez Emol.com Feb 22
With a gripping story wrapped in strong cinematography, "Heated Rivalry" delivers an electrifying romance that results in a truly binge-worthy show. Go to Full Review
Abhishek Srivastava The Times of India Feb 19
3.5/5
For viewers interested in character-focused storytelling set against the backdrop of professional competition, it delivers a thoughtful and engaging experience. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Olivia Anne F @Olivia_Anne 6d Heated Rivalry Absolutely one of the finest television shows, movies, I've ever seen! Acting is superb, so, casting had to be first rate. Creator, Jacob Tierney, & Producer, Brendan Brady, were so wise in how they labored to present this work. It is so impressive that Francois Arnault and Sophie Nelisse were onboard. HUGE shout out to the writer, Rachel Reid, for this set of beautiful love stories. Having enjoyed this show so many times I am unable to count, over and over, I cannot envision a different Shane, or ever a different Ilya. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie forever will be linked in my mind as lovers in one of the premier love stories I ever have been so very privileged to enjoy. Can't wait to see these adored characters again, I yearn for them; & all the other wonderful characters Rachel has presented to us in her books. I pray she adds more to Shane's & Ilya's story, Scott's and Kip's, Robbie G.K., & brings life to even more exciting ones. I AM IN LOVE BRAVO!!!! See more Emily M @RT36739859 Mar 24 Full of passion and demonstrates vulnerability at its peak. The yearning is unseen in a lot of other shows. 1000000000/10! See more ur M @RT99320987 Mar 24 yessssssssss (i think being a gay hokey player in a secret relationship with my arch rival would cure all my problems) but seriously, i cant recommend it. these to twinks have me in a chokehold. i cant move on, i cant stop thinking about them. ive watched the show twice now and read the book. mind you, over the course of one weekend. now im reading long game. istg they wont let me leave!!!!! i dont think ill ever be the same. 😀🤪 See more Ellen S @RT69357376 Mar 21 The best thing to hit tv since the Sopranos. Off the charts chemistry between Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams should make all casting directors sit up and take notice; there's talent out there that isn't nepo. Can't wait for S2. See more Julia L @RT58422713 Mar 19 One of the most touching series I’ve ever seen. I was not prepared to experience all the emotions and important questions it brought. It is just amazing. See more Ghost W. @gh0sthasprblems Mar 16 Why did I wait so long to read this? Watched in January 2026 after reading the books for them See more Read all reviews
Heated Rivalry — Season 1

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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

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