Everything you need to know about gay hockey romance show Heated Rivalry
Hudson William and Connor Storrie in Heated Rivalry. (Crave)
Hudson William and Connor Storrie in Heated Rivalry. (Crave)
Gay sports romance Heated Rivalry is being heralded as “the most accurate portrayal” of gay sex that’s ever been seen on TV.
The six-episode Crave Original show follows the love story of rival hockey players Shane (Tracker actor Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Joker: Folie à Deux star Connor Storie). With their tension heating up the ice rink, it’s been reported that there are three sex scenes per episode.
“Shane and Ilya are two of the biggest stars in major league hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands,” the show’s synopsis reads.
Their secret fling evolves into an eight-year journey of self-discovery and rivalry. Over time, they must learn how to chase their desires on and off the ice.
“Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there is room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile and as powerful as real love.”
Heated Rivalry’s cast also includes François Arnaud, Robbie GK, Dylan Walsh and Christina Chang.
Writer-director Jacob Tierney created the show, based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling erotic series Game Changers.
‘The most accurate portrayal of gay sex they’ve ever seen on TV’
The trailer already showcased snippets of heady sex scenes, including an eyebrow-raising shower scene. Teen Vogue recently wrote that there were “three sex scenes in every episode”.
Tierney noted of the plot: “Because of the way the story is laid out, it takes place over eight years, and these are people who learn about each other through f******, so the sex didn’t feel gratuitous.
“This is how they communicate: They meet up three times a year and have sex until they hit a point where they’re like, ‘Oh God, we keep doing this. We must have feelings for each other.’”
On X, someone who said they’d watched the first three episodes offered a hint at what fans can expect.
“Two gay co-workers told me it was the most accurate portrayal of gay sex they’ve ever seen on TV,” they posted. “Make with that what you will.”
Another prophesied: “The way Heated Rivalry is about to become the best show of all time.”
When is Heated Rivalry’s release date?
Heated Rivalry is set to premiere on Canadian streaming service Crave on Friday 28 November.
The show has also secured some international releases. Heated Rivalry has been acquired by Movistar Plus+ in Spain and Sky in New Zealand.
Additionally, new episodes of the six-episode season will debut weekly, leading up to the finale on December 26.
How to watch Heated Rivalry?
Heated Rivalry will stream in Canada, HBO Max for US viewers, Movistar Plus+ in Spain and Sky in New Zealand.
There’s yet to be a UK platform for Heated Rivalry, but we’ll keep you in the loop if an announcement is made.
