The Canadian gay hockey romance series “Heated Rivalry” premieres on Friday, Nov. 28, launching with its first two episodes to the delight of BookTok fans.
The series, created for Crave by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s popular novel, has already been acquired by HBO Max for viewers in both the United States and Australia. Following its premiere, new episodes will roll out every week until the Dec. 26 finale.
Across six episodes, the story follows two professional hockey stars whose lives become deeply intertwined. Canadian-born Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, skates for the fictional Montreal Voyageurs, while Russian-born Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie, represents the fictional Boston Bears.
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What begins as a clandestine, impulsive connection between two eager rookies gradually evolves into a complex, years-long bond. Per the official synopsis, their evolving romance forces them to confront the tension between the sport that defines them and the love they can no longer deny.
As their feelings deepen, both men must wrestle with whether their ultra-competitive world can make space for something as vulnerable, and powerful, as true love.
The series has also secured broadcast deals in New Zealand and Spain, reflecting the growing global appetite for high-quality LGBTQ+ storytelling.
