Actor François Arnaud, who plays veteran hockey star Scott Hunter in the hit series Heated Rivalry, recently shared a surprising detail about the show’s early development. Arnaud revealed that show creator Jacob Tierney initially took the adaptation of Rachel Reid’s romance novels to “a big streamer” before finding its perfect home at Crave. This insider detail highlights the journey of a show that almost had a very different path before becoming an international sensation.
How Heated Rivalry Landed At Crave
While Heated Rivalry is now a flagship show for the Canadian streamer Crave, its journey to the screen involved an initial pitch to a major, unnamed streaming platform. François Arnaud, in a recent discussion, offered this glimpse into the show’s pitching process, though the exact identity of the “big streamer” remains private. Despite this early rejection, the project was quickly picked up by Crave, which produced the series in partnership with Jacob Tierney’s Accent Aigu Entertainment.
The show, which follows the secret romantic relationship between rival hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, has since become a monumental success for the platform. Justin Stockman, VP of Content and Programming at Bell Media (Crave’s parent company), praised the series, stating, “HEATED RIVALRY represents the very best of what Canadian creators can deliver: rich characters, compelling drama, and a world audiences want to live in”. The show’s record-breaking debut, which saw viewership grow by nearly 400% in its first week, proved Crave’s decision to be a resounding success.
Global Success And Swift Season 2 Renewal
The gamble by Crave paid off almost immediately. Heated Rivalry was renewed for a second season just weeks after its late November premiere, a testament to its instant cultural impact. The show became the number one Crave Original series debut on record.
Its popularity quickly spread beyond Canada. HBO Max, which streams the show in the United States and Australia, has secured the rights for Season 2. Furthermore, new international distribution deals have been struck, bringing the series to audiences across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Social media buzz was intense from the start, with the show becoming a top trending topic in Canada during its premiere weekend.
Inside The Hit Show’s Creation And Cast
Heated Rivalry is based on the bestselling Game Changers book series by author Rachel Reid. Showrunner Jacob Tierney, known for his work on Letterkenny and Shoresy, developed, wrote, and directed the adaptation. He and executive producer Brendan Brady released a joint statement expressing their gratitude: “Watching our show become an international phenomenon has been extraordinary… Being renewed for a second season so early is a true honour, and we can’t wait to bring you even more of what you love”.
The series stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov, whose on-screen chemistry is widely credited as a key ingredient to the show’s success. François Arnaud plays the pivotal supporting role of Scott Hunter, a veteran player navigating his own complex relationship with barista Kip Grady, played by Robbie G.K.. Arnaud has spoken about feeling “proud” of his character’s arc.
Crave Doubles Down On Queer Sports Stories
The success of Heated Rivalry has clearly solidified Crave’s commitment to LGBTQ+ sports narratives. The streamer has another series in the pipeline, Slo Pitch, which is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2026.
Slo Pitch is a 10-episode mockumentary about an underdog queer softball team, The Public Lass Brovaries, and is co-produced by Elliot Page’s Pageboy Productions. Starring Jess Salgueiro and Emily Hampshire, the show will explore themes of rivalry, breakups, and community, sharing thematic DNA with Heated Rivalry despite its comedic tone.
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