HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry is a major trending show, but parents should know its intense adult content makes it unsuitable for children. The series, which follows the secret romance between two rival professional hockey players, has captured attention for its bold storytelling. However, its TV-MA rating comes from frequent, graphic sexual scenes, strong language, and mature themes that are not appropriate for younger viewers.
What Is ‘Heated Rivalry’ About?
Heated Rivalry is a Canadian drama series based on the popular romance novel by Rachel Reid. It centers on Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two star hockey players from rival teams. The story follows their secret, decade-spanning relationship, which begins as a casual fling in a hotel room and evolves into a complicated, meaningful connection. The show has been praised for placing a same-sex love story at the heart of a mainstream sports drama.
The series stars Hudson Williams as Shane and Connor Storrie as Ilya. The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, has said the actors’ chemistry was evident from their first audition together. It premiered on November 28, 2025, on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the U.S., with new episodes releasing weekly.
The TV-MA Rating and Detailed Content Guide
Parents should understand the specific reasons for the show’s mature rating. A TV-MA rating means the program is specifically designed for adults and may be unsuitable for viewers under 17. The rating is due to intense sexual content, pervasive strong language, and adult themes.
Sexual Content and Nudity
This is the primary concern for parents. The series features frequent and explicit sexual scenes that are central to the narrative. Content includes:
- Prolonged and graphic depictions of sexual activity between the male leads.
- Male rear nudity is shown.
- A sexually explicit text message containing a photo of male genitals is displayed on screen.
- The sexual content is not just implied but is shown in detail and is a core part of the story’s development.
Strong Language
The dialogue includes very frequent use of profanity. The word “f*ck” and other sexually explicit language are used regularly throughout the series.
Mature Themes
The show deals with complex adult situations beyond the sexual relationship:
- Emotional Abuse: One main character’s father and brother are shown to be emotionally abusive, berating him constantly.
- Homophobia and Secrecy: The entire plot is built around the characters hiding their sexuality due to the pressures of professional sports culture.
- Substance Use: Characters are shown drinking heavily and smoking as coping mechanisms for stress.
- Unhealthy Dynamics: The series explores emotionally complex and sometimes unhealthy relationship patterns.
Why It’s Not a “Hockey Show” for Kids
A key point of confusion is the show’s setting. While it takes place in the world of professional hockey, it is not a sports drama in the traditional sense. The actual hockey action is minimal. One analysis noted that the longest hockey scene in the first two episodes is about 90 seconds, with most lasting only 15-30 seconds.
The sport serves primarily as a backdrop—a reason to bring the two rivals together in different cities and to place their romance in a high-pressure, traditionally homophobic environment. Parents expecting a show about hockey games and sportsmanship will find that the focus is almost entirely on the intense, adult relationship between the two leads.
Controversies and Conversations Around the Show
The show has sparked significant discussion online, further highlighting its adult nature. Shortly after its HBO Max premiere, viewers noticed that the stream looked significantly darker than the Canadian Crave version, particularly during intimate scenes. This led to fan speculation that the scenes were being censored. Show creator Jacob Tierney addressed this, calling it a technical error. “It’s just a mistake,” he said. “They’re fixing it. There’s no controversy.” He explained that HBO Max acquired and aired the show very quickly, which led to the processing error.
The show has also faced criticism from within the LGBTQ+ community. Brock McGillis, recognized as the first openly gay professional hockey player, gave the show a mixed review. While he enjoys it, he expressed concern that its portrayal of secret, anxious closeted relationships might not encourage real-life players to come out.
“It’s probably more likely to have an adverse effect on a player coming out,” he said. He also described watching the first episode and having a panic attack, relating to the fear of being discovered.
Conversely, the show’s stars have spoken about its positive impact. Connor Storrie shared an experience meeting a fan who was moved to tears, telling him, “What you’re doing and the person that you are being on-camera means so much to me”.
Where to Watch and Final Season Details
Heated Rivalry is available to stream exclusively on HBO Max. The first season consists of six episodes. The season finale is scheduled for release on December 26, 2025. Due to its strong popularity, HBO Max has already renewed the series for a second season.
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