Good news has arrived for fans of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The romantic drama Heated Rivalry will officially return for a second season. The show, which has become a major hit for HBO Max and Canada’s Crave, was renewed just a few weeks after its premiere.
The renewal was announced in early December 2025 while the first season was still airing new episodes. HBO Max confirmed the news on social media with a video featuring stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
What the Show Is About
Heated Rivalry tells the story of two professional hockey players. Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) is a Canadian star, and Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) is a Russian phenom. They play for rival teams in the Major League Hockey.
The series follows their secret romantic relationship over eight years. It starts when they are rookies and follows their journey as they chase glory on the ice while struggling with their feelings for each other. The show is based on the popular book of the same name by author Rachel Reid, part of her Game Changers series.
The main cast also includes François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova.
Details on the Season 2 Renewal
The decision to renew the show came quickly due to its strong performance. The series became a word-of-mouth success shortly after its debut.
For the Canadian streaming service Crave, Heated Rivalry is now its biggest original series ever. Internal data shows the show’s viewership grew by nearly 400% in the first seven days after its two-episode premiere on November 28, 2025. In the United States, the show quickly entered HBO Max’s list of top 10 TV shows.
The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, and executive producer Brendan Brady shared their excitement in a statement.
“Watching our show become an international phenomenon has been extraordinary. We’re profoundly grateful to everyone that has been on this journey with us. Being renewed for a second season so early is a true honor, and we can’t wait to bring you even more of what you love.”
Justin Stockman, Vice President of Content and Programming at Bell Media (Crave’s parent company), also commented. He said the series “represents the very best of what Canadian creators can deliver” and called the fan response “extraordinary”.
What Season 2 Will Cover
While specific plot details are still under wraps, the story will continue to follow Shane and Ilya. Actor Connor Storrie hinted that the second season will likely be based on Rachel Reid’s sixth Game Changers book, titled The Long Game.
This novel continues the couple’s story ten years into their secret relationship. A decade of hiding poses significant challenges, and going public with their romance could risk their careers. The book’s description states it’s “time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love”.
Author Rachel Reid has confirmed she has more story ideas for the characters. “They never leave my head,” she said in an interview. “You’ll see something for sure”.
Where to Watch the Show
The streaming rights for the new season have been confirmed in several regions:
- United States and Australia: Will continue to stream on HBO Max.
- Canada: Will stream on Crave.
- New Zealand: Will be available on Neon/Sky New Zealand.
New international deals have also been made for the show’s second season. HBO Max has secured rights for Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe. This includes Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Macau, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Notably, deals for the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and Turkey are still being finalized, though reports suggest an agreement is close.
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Season 1 Schedule and Finale
For viewers catching up, the first season of Heated Rivalry premiered with two episodes on November 28, 2025. New episodes have been released weekly.
The first season has a total of six episodes. The Season 1 finale, titled “The Cottage,” is scheduled for release on December 26, 2025. All episodes are available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S. and on Crave in Canada.
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