Get to know Heated Rivalry’s François Arnaud and Robbie GK as they take centre stage
François Arnaud and Robbie GK from Heated Rivalry. (Bell Media and Instagram/@robsgk)
François Arnaud and Robbie GK from Heated Rivalry. (Bell Media and Instagram/@robsgk)
Heated Rivalry is our latest obsession, and we know we’re not the only ones, if the fervent fandom the show has acquired online is anything to go by.
Based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novel series, the hit series follows the lives of several pro-ice hockey players as they navigate fame, sexuality, and love.
The show has quickly built a loyal and excited fanbase thanks to sizzling chemistry from its stars as well as some hot sex scenes.
Taking its name from the second of Reid’s books, the series has so far focused on the characters from that instalment, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander played by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams respectively.
But the series’ third episode focused more Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), a supporting character in the first two episodes, and his romance with smoothie maker, Kip Grady (Robbie Graham Kuntz)
Here’s what we know about actors as they take centre stage in the LGBTQ+ sports drama.
Who are François Arnaud and Robbie GK?
Arnaud, 40, is a Canadian actor born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. He’s notably had roles in The Borgias and Blindspot, and also played David’s (Dan Levy) ex, Sebastien Raine, in Schitt’s Creek.
He came out as bisexual in 2020 via Instagram, challenging biphobia in the process. He is thought to be currently dating fellow actor, Marc Bendavid.
GK, 29, is also a Canadian actor who grew up in Port Credit, Ontario. He studied musical theatre at the Etobicoke School of the Arts (ESA) in Toronto. He started going by ‘Robbie GK’ in 2023 with the film, The House Call.
As well as Heated Rivalry he’s had roles in The Next Step, Utopia Falls and the TV movie, Marry F*** Kill. GK appeared in three episodes of Prime Video’s Overcompensating as Riley, Grace’s (Mary Beth Barone) love interest.
He appears to be single at the moment.
Who do they play in Heated Rivalry?
Arnaud plays Scott Hunter, the captain of the New York Admirals ice hockey team in Heated Rivalry. He is closeted but enjoys a romance with Kip Grady.
He is also competitive with Shane Hollander (Williams), the captain of the Montreal Metros as well as Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) the captain of the Boston Raiders.
GK plays Kip, the charming smoothie maker and out gay man. He and Hunter hit it off while the latter is ordering a smoothie one day and the pair end up flirting on a few occasions before getting together.
What have they said about the series?
Speaking about the reaction to the series, Arnaud told Deadline on Thursday (4 December) “it’s a bit crazy.” He added, “I always believed in the show from the moment I read it, I knew that it would find an audience.”
Of the sex scenes, Arnaud told the entertainment outlet: “I liked that our scenes with Kip were showing another side of sexuality, which is tentative and repressed and like role-play almost, and it’s just two people who are actually just giving in, and the joy of that.”
GK has yet to publicly comment on the series.
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