Heated Rivalry: The Unexpected Hit of the Winter

Mon Feb 09 2026 01:10:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Adapted from Rachel Reid's queer romance novel, 'Heated Rivalry' has captured audiences with its portrayal of a passionate love affair between rival ice hockey players, turning unknown actors into overnight stars.

Despite its low budget and largely unknown cast, 'Heated Rivalry' has turned into a breakout success since its debut, breaking records and redefining the expectations for LGBT content on screen. Its stars, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, have risen remarkably in their careers, while the show's strong connection to its source material has resonated with audiences worldwide.

A few months ago Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams were both working as waiters. Now they are the stars of Heated Rivalry, one of the most talked about shows in the world.

Adapted from a novel by Canadian author Rachel Reid, who writes sexually explicit queer romance novels about hockey players, Heated Rivalry chronicles a forbidden love affair between two rival ice hockey players.

The show was not an obvious runaway hit. It was created and produced in Canada on a minimal budget - reportedly less than C$5m ($3.6m; £2.6m) per episode. Its six episodes were filmed in Ontario in just over a month, with a cast lead mostly by unknowns.

But since its debut in North America last November, Storrie, who plays Russian player Ilya Rozanov, and Williams, who plays Canadian Shane Hollander, have wracked up millions of fans, acted as torchbearers ahead of the Milan winter Olympics and appeared on a host of late-night TV shows.

Storrie is set to host Saturday Night Live at the end of this month, while Williams - who reportedly still lives with his mum in Vancouver - recently shared a stage with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at an Ottawa film industry event.

Its penultimate episode has broken records to tie with Breaking Bad for the highest-rated episode ever on entertainment website IMDB. Now streaming in the UK and across the globe, the show's runaway success has the potential to reshape the television landscape.

With themes of love, rivalry, and the personal struggles of its characters, Heated Rivalry is more than just entertainment; it's a cultural phenomenon that highlights the evolving conversation around LGBT narratives in mainstream media.

As fans eagerly anticipate a second season, casting directors are already planning to prioritize Canadian talent, hoping to replicate the magic that captured viewers internationally.