The new television series Heated Rivalry brings a popular queer sports romance novel to the screen with a compelling cast. The show follows two professional hockey players whose fierce on-ice competition hides a secret romantic relationship that develops over years. Led by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, the ensemble cast fills out the world of professional sports and personal drama. The series is set to premiere on November 28, 2025 on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the United States and Australia.
The Leading Duo
At the heart of Heated Rivalry are the two rival hockey players whose complex relationship drives the story.
Hudson Williams plays Shane Hollander, a Canadian hockey superstar known for his discipline and clean public image. Williams portrays a character grappling with the conflict between his career ambitions and personal desires. Shane appears disciplined and determined, facing career pressure and personal conflict that form a central part of the show’s drama.
Connor Storrie takes on the role of Ilya Rozanov, a Russian-born hockey star who becomes Shane’s primary rival on the ice. Storrie brings to life a character described as confident and complicated, whose enigmatic nature constantly challenges Shane. The actor prepared extensively for the role, including learning Russian for several pages of dialogue.
Creator Jacob Tierney noted the actors’ immediate connection during auditions, saying, “Connor was just so confident and so funny. He had all the slyness I wanted out of Ilya. Hudson had all the seriousness I wanted out of Shane.”
The Supporting Players
The main cast is supported by actors who portray important figures in the hockey world and the personal lives of the two leads.
François Arnaud appears as Scott Hunter, another character within the professional hockey league who helps illustrate the competitive and social dynamics of the sport.
Sophie Nélisse plays Rose Landry, a character whose stories extend beyond the hockey rink. Her role provides perspective on the leads’ relationships and lives away from the ice.
Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh portray Yuna and David Hollander, Shane’s parents. Their characters shed light on Shane’s family background and the personal history that influences his motivations and struggles.
Robbie G.K. joins the cast as Kip Grady, contributing to the locker-room atmosphere and team dynamics that form the backdrop of the series.
Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova plays Svetlana Vetrova, broadening the social world surrounding the two main characters.
Additional cast members include Kaden Connors as Sasha, Harrison Browne as Connors, and Slavic Rogozine and Yaroslav Poverlo as Ilya’s brother and father, Alexei and Grigori Rozanov.
Behind the Scenes
The series was developed by Jacob Tierney, who also serves as writer, director, and executive producer. Tierney discovered Rachel Reid’s novel in 2023 and quickly sought to secure the adaptation rights. The production company, Accent Aigu Entertainment, proceeded without initial international distribution to preserve the story’s explicit themes and queer representation.
The creator emphasized his approach to the adaptation, telling the author, “I want to take this seriously. I don’t want to dumb this down. I don’t want to condense it.” This commitment led to a six-episode series format that allows the story to develop over its eight-year timeline.
Filming took place in April 2025 across various locations in Canada, including Toronto, Montreal, Guelph, and Lake Muskoka.
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Series Release Schedule
Heated Rivalry will debut with a two-episode premiere on November 28, 2025. New episodes will be released weekly, with the season finale scheduled for December 26, 2025. The first episode will receive an early screening at the 2025 Image+Nation festival in Montreal on November 23.
International viewers can watch the series on HBO Max in the United States and Australia, Sky in New Zealand, and Movistar Plus+ in Spain.
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