For actor François Arnaud, one of the most important scenes in the hit series Heated Rivalry was not filmed on a typical set with a crew surrounding him. Instead, it was created later with computers, and seeing the final result for the first time hit him with a wave of unexpected feeling. The scene shows his character, New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter, sharing a public kiss with his boyfriend Kip Grady after winning the Stanley Cup, and Arnaud has shared that it moved him to tears.
The HBO Max and Crave series has become popular for its mix of romance and hockey drama, focusing on the lives of closeted athletes. The climax of Episode 5 features a breakthrough moment for Scott, who decides to live openly in front of his team and the world. Arnaud explained that watching the completed scene, with a digitally added crowd that made it look like a real championship celebration, made the story’s impact feel incredibly real to him.
Building to a Public Declaration
In Heated Rivalry, Scott Hunter is portrayed as a dedicated team captain who has kept his personal life completely private. His relationship with Kip, played by Robbie G.K., develops in secret. The show builds toward the moment when Scott, after leading his team to a Stanley Cup victory, chooses to share his joy with the person he loves, despite his fears.
Arnaud described Scott’s state of mind in that final scene. Surrounded by teammates celebrating with their families, Scott is hit with a sense of loneliness. That feeling, combined with the high of winning, pushes him to take a brave step. He spots Kip in the stands and invites him onto the ice.
“It’s a moment where everything comes to a culmination for him… He’s both galvanized by the win and exhausted. He wants to take that full breath. It’s all happening so fast in his head, and there’s tremendous fear that he decides to conquer. Life isn’t fucking worth living if I can’t share it with that person,” Arnaud said.
This kiss is significant as the first public gay kiss shown in the series, serving as a powerful release of tension built up over the season.
An Actor’s Personal Connection to the Role
François Arnaud, a 40-year-old Canadian actor known for shows like The Borgias, felt a strong personal connection to Scott’s story. The actor publicly came out as bisexual in 2020 on Bi Visibility Day. In an Instagram post at the time, he spoke about the challenges of being visible, stating, “Silence has the perverse effect of perpetuating those stereotypes, making bi guys invisible, and leading people to doubt that we even exist”.
This personal experience helped shape his approach to Scott, a character who struggles with being his full self in the public eye of professional sports. Arnaud noted that he felt ready to speak Scott’s words and portray his emotional journey.
He also highlighted the differences between Scott’s relationship and the show’s other main couple. While the younger characters grapple with repressed sexuality, Scott and Kip find immediate physical and emotional liberation when they are alone together. Arnaud described their connection as deep and fast-moving, joking that some might call them “U-Haul lesbians”.
Fan Reactions to a Landmark Scene
The public kiss and Scott’s coming-out storyline have drawn strong reactions from viewers. On social media, fans have praised the show’s writing and the emotional payoff of the moment.
One fan commented on the episode’s structure, writing, “Episode 3 was brilliantly planned out. If they hadn’t devoted an entire episode to getting us invested in Scott and Kip, that moment at the end of episode 5 wouldn’t have hit nearly as well as it did”.
Other discussions online have focused on the importance of representation. One supporter wrote, “Love is love no matter what… The representation is very real and important to many. It’s 2025… No one is forcing you to watch. Be mature enough to keep scrolling”. These comments show how the scene has resonated as a meaningful moment for many in the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Also Read:
The Making of a Believable Championship Moment
Creating a believable Stanley Cup Final was crucial for the scene’s impact. The production used visual effects to add a massive, cheering crowd around the actors, transforming a studio set into a packed arena. Arnaud said this technical magic is what ultimately triggered his emotional response when he saw the final cut.
“Seeing it afterwards with all the people added with CGI, I felt like I was watching this at a real hockey game,” the actor revealed.
The show’s timeline coincides with real-world hockey events. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final concluded on June 17, 2025, with the Florida Panthers winning the championship for the second year in a row by defeating the Edmonton Oilers. While Heated Rivalry features fictional teams, this real-world context helps ground its story.
Arnaud credits the show’s positive environment for helping him deliver such a vulnerable performance. He called the set “the most joyous set I’ve ever been on,” with a strict “No assholes” policy that fostered a collaborative and supportive atmosphere among the cast and crew.
Also Read: Bridgerton Season 4 Showrunner Details New Test for Penelope and Benedict’s Cinderella Story
Sources: 1
