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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 88 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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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
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
Rose Ho The Asian Cut 2d
10/10
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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Ace T @Alex.cards 3d This show is so beautiful i cry every time i watch it See more Joe U @JoeS29 6d NHL players will eventually have to file restraining orders against a lot of people because of this show. See more Kit D @Noobershnoober 6d The writing in this show is just so lazy and just based off of generic tropes. Strong Russian with a traumatic past meets a shy bottom Canadian. Aw man, who could predict the cheating in a "romantic" show about two dudes who barely care about each other and have no personal interest. I did. There is like 2 minutes of build up romantically and at the 15 minute mark a full on scene. This is meant for people who want to watch two hot men eating each other, but don't want the association of real gooners. That and people who want the valor of commending "a gay mainstream hockey show" THAT SHOWS 30 SECONDS OF HOCKEY and only in the beginning. Evil show-writers got my hopes up of seeing an actual game, but all I get is "6 months later" 7 times in one episode. See more Joeross P @Joeross Mar 1 It's solidly written, and the chemistry between the two characters (Ilya and Shane) doesn’t feel forced. See more Kris K @KR15KK Feb 27 This was totally amazing the way that you actually got to feel for the boys understand where they were why they were acting the way they were. This was just beautiful. See more Josef G @Jimmygoombas Feb 25 look you may not think you are the target demographic for this type of show, I only started watching because my girlfriend really wanted to...but I'm so glad I did. If you don't have any hang-ups about watching a gay romances on screen and allow yourself to empathize with the characters, it is actually really great television and a beautiful love story. Well paced, smartly written and the star power of both Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie is undeniable. I love how huge a phenomenon this show became, and the world could use more authentic and intimate stories like 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