Jacob Tierney, the Canadian writer-director who brought the popular queer hockey romance Heated Rivalry to screens, is turning his attention from the ice rink to ancient Macedonia. Deadline reports that Netflix has given a straight-to-series order for Alexander, a new drama series chronicling the formative years of Alexander the Great and his complex relationship with his mentor, the philosopher Aristotle.
The project reunites Tierney with Heated Rivalry executive producer Brendan Brady. They are joined by Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan of Aggregate Films, the production company behind shows like Ozark.
The series is an adaptation of the 2009 novel The Golden Mean by Canadian author Annabel Lyon. According to the official description, the story is set as the Athenian empire is in decline. It follows Aristotle as he arrives in Macedonia to tutor the volatile young prince, Alexander. The narrative promises to delve into "palace intrigue, forbidden love, brutal war and ruthless ambitions," exploring how their unlikely friendship would go on to shape an empire and the course of history.
Leveraging Global Success
The direct series order from Netflix signals a significant level of confidence in Tierney, largely fueled by the international success of Heated Rivalry. The show, which depicts the secret, long-term romance between two rival professional hockey players, became a word-of-mouth hit far beyond its native Canada, finding a dedicated audience across Europe, including in the Netherlands.
"We were immediately captivated by his vision for adapting Annabel Lyon’s acclaimed novel," said Jinny Howe, Netflix Head of U.S. and Canada Scripted Series. "This series reimagines the classic power struggle between mentor and protégé with a raw, modern energy that feels both epic and incredibly intimate."
Tierney, who will write and direct Alexander, expressed his long-standing passion for the source material. "I fell in love with Annabel Lyon’s book The Golden Mean years ago and have been dreaming of telling this story ever since," he stated.
What's Next for 'Heated Rivalry'?
Fans of Tierney's hockey drama can also rest assured that its future is secure. Tierney and Brady recently confirmed they are actively working on the second season of Heated Rivalry. Filming is reportedly scheduled to begin in August, with a tentative release date projected for April 2027. The series was a critical and commercial success for Canadian streamer Crave and HBO Max, which handled international distribution.
Before his work on Heated Rivalry, Tierney was known for co-developing and directing the long-running Canadian comedy series Letterkenny and its spinoff, Shoresy.
No casting or release date for Alexander has been announced by Netflix at this time.
