The next chapter of the hit hockey romance series is almost here. Episode 4 of Heated Rivalry, titled “Rose,” arrives on HBO Max on Friday, December 12, 2025. This episode is the fourth in a six-part limited series that has quickly gained fans for its intense mix of sports rivalry and secret romance. Viewers in the United States and Australia can watch the episode exclusively on HBO Max, while fans in Canada can stream it on Crave. New episodes are released weekly every Friday.
Where and When to Watch Episode 4
For viewers in the United States, Heated Rivalry Episode 4 will be available to stream on HBO Max starting at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, December 12. This means it will go live at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on Thursday, December 11. The release follows the show’s standard schedule, where new episodes drop at midnight ET every Friday morning.
The series is a limited series with a total of six episodes. The season began with a two-episode premiere on November 28, 2025, and will conclude with the finale on December 26, 2025. You need an active HBO Max subscription to watch. In some regions, the show is also accessible through bundle plans that include HBO Max.
What to Expect in Episode 4, Titled ‘Rose’
The title “Rose” strongly suggests the episode will focus on the character Rose Landry, played by Sophie Nélisse. Rose is part of the show’s supporting cast, and this episode may explore her role in the main characters’ lives. The series follows the complicated relationship between two top hockey players: Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) of the Montreal Metros and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) of the Boston Raiders. What starts as a fierce professional rivalry turns into a years-long secret romance, forcing them to balance their sports careers with their private feelings.
“Two rival hockey stars at the top of their game face an unexpected challenge when they develop feelings for each other, complicating their careers and the sport’s expectations.”
Episode 3, which aired on December 5, took a brief detour from Shane and Ilya’s story. It centered on a side character, Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), and his short-lived, secret relationship with a smoothie shop worker named Kip Grady. This story highlighted the pressures and secrecy that athletes can face regarding their personal lives, reflecting themes that also affect the main couple. With Episode 4, the story is expected to return to Shane and Ilya’s central narrative, likely raising the emotional stakes and diving deeper into their complex bond.
The Cast and Creative Team
Heated Rivalry is based on the popular book from Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series. The show was adapted for television by writer-director Jacob Tierney, who also serves as a producer. The lead roles are played by Hudson Williams as the composed Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as the intense Ilya Rozanov.
The supporting cast includes François Arnaud as Scott Hunter, Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Shane’s parents, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana Vetrova. Sophie Nélisse plays Rose Landry, the character who is the likely focus of the upcoming episode.
Since its premiere, the show has received positive reactions, especially from fans of the original books. Many have praised the adaptation for being faithful to the source material and for the strong chemistry between the two lead actors.
Also Read:
Full Season 1 Release Schedule
For fans planning their watch, here is the complete release schedule for the first season of Heated Rivalry on HBO Max:
- Episodes 1 & 2: “Rookies” and “Olympians” – Released November 28, 2025.
- Episode 3: “Hunter” – Released December 5, 2025.
- Episode 4: “Rose” – Releases December 12, 2025.
- Episode 5: “I’ll Believe in Anything” – Releases December 19, 2025.
- Episode 6: “The Cottage” (Season Finale) – Releases December 26, 2025.
The series is rated TV-MA for mature audiences. As of now, there is no official confirmation about a second season.
Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5 Finale: Cast Breaks Down at Emotional Final Table Read
