US EditionGay ice hockey drama ‘Heated Rivalry’ becomes a surprise hit in Russia despite anti-LGBTQ+ laws
The Canadian series showcases a groundbreaking gay romance in men's hockey and has been renewed for a second season after becoming Crave's most-watched original, Bell Media said.
- What started as a word-of-mouth hit in December 2025, Heated Rivalry became a global phenomenon after its November debut, pushing Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie to A-list fame.
- Adapted from Rachel Reid's 2019 novel, the series follows closeted hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, blending slow-building yearning with explicit sexual scenes and fear of being outed in professional hockey.
- On the Russian platform Kinopoisk, Heated Rivalry holds an 8.6 rating, the highest ever, while Russian streaming services cut scenes and staff face raids and house arrest.
- According to Circana, U.S. LGBTQ+ romance print sales surged more than 100% in the five weeks ending Jan. 10, 2026, with Heated Rivalry boosting hockey audience and viewership metrics.
- Longer term, the series' reach highlights both support and sharp legal risk for LGBTQ+ Russians, as a November Supreme Court ruling outlawed the 'international LGBT movement' with penalties up to six years imprisonment.
55 Articles
55 Articles
There Might Be More 'Heated Rivalry' Coming Before Season 2
Still having flashbacks to the cottage? Eagerly awaiting Heated Rivalry season two? Don’t worry, there might be a bonus episode coming before you know it. According to Justin Stockman, vice president of content development and programming at Bell Media—the parent company of Heated Rivalry’s Canadian streamer, Crave—said his team is exploring the idea of releasing bonus content while the show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, works on developing season…
Does Hudson Williams Regret Doing Heated Rivalry? Star Unveils Dark Side Of Fame As He Plans 'Exits' From Crowds
Hudson Williams, the breakout star of the global hit 'Heated Rivalry', has delivered a raw and vulnerable account of the 'psychological toll' caused by his meteoric rise to A-list status. Speaking on the Shut Up Evan podcast on 20 January 2026, the 24-year-old Canadian actor revealed that he and co-star Connor Storrie have had to 'learn in 30 days what many actors learn in five years.' In just a few weeks, they spoke at the Golden Globes and wal…
Why Has ‘Heated Rivalry’ Launched So Much Heated Discourse?
Fanfiction, erotica, and romance allow fans and creators to escape reality and enter into fantasy, to hope for a version of a better world. Perhaps Heated Rivalry generates so much discourse because of the power, danger, and necessity of this kind of hope.
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