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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
Vera Wylde Council of Geeks Jun 2
It's a journey... and watching it unfold over the course of these six episodes is so heartwarming. 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
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Audience Reviews

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Nia H. @MyLittleAnt 10h Really enjoyed this and looking forward to season two. It was a very faithful adaptation of the books, and anything Tierney changed felt like it was to better communicate given the different medium. Have rewatched and will again. See more Janine C @JanPol 1d I finally found the time to watch this much-talked-about series, and I don't regret it at all. A great story with excellent acting and a satisfying ending. Love comes in many forms! See more Adam S @Essek 3d One of the best shows of the year for me. This was is a beautiful love story, Shane and Ilya’s journey together is spicy yet beautiful and heartfelt. The editing and the music are amazing and the performances from both Hudson and Connor are some of the best I have seen on television. Cannot wait until season 2! See more Sharang L @Scribe187 3d A story with only a modicum of drama. The gratuitous sex is a major turn-off. See more Anita S @Anita177 Jun 2 If you enjoy series that don't spoon-feed you every detail—and if you appreciate lovable characters who undergo incredible personal growth, along with a well-written script—then you’ve come to the right place! Over the course of its episodes, this show has evolved into one of the best series—and one of the finest love stories—I’ve seen in years! The two lead actors were complete unknowns prior to the show, yet they share incredibly strong on-screen chemistry. Perhaps this serves as a subtle hint to Hollywood that you don't always have to cast big names. This series is "old school" in the best sense: it relies heavily on all forms of non-verbal communication, meaning you’ll miss out on a tremendous amount if you don't stay attentive or if you’re glued to your phone. You aren't handed everything on a silver platter; instead, you have to read between the lines yourself. Sadly, this type of series and film is becoming increasingly rare. 5/5 stars. See more Joejoe H. @MojoJoeJoe May 30 Absolutely love this! 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