Grab your skates and prepare for the temperature to rise, because the news we've all been hoping for is here! Heated Rivalry, the breakout LGBTQ+ hockey drama that has taken social media by storm, has officially been renewed for a second season.
The Canadian streamer Crave has given the green light for more on-ice action and off-ice romance, following the show's record-breaking debut. For fans who have been captivated by the intense, decade-spanning love story between rival players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), this is the hat-trick we were all cheering for.
What's All the Fuss About?
For those who haven't yet dived into the drama, Heated Rivalry is based on the beloved "Game Changers" book series by Rachel Reid. It follows two of the biggest stars in professional hockey who begin a secret, passionate affair as rookies. The series charts their complex relationship over eight years as they navigate love, denial, and the pressures of being top athletes in a hyper-masculine world.
The show has been a massive critical and commercial success, boasting an impressive 8.6/10 on IMDb and a near-perfect 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's become Crave's biggest original series launch ever, with viewership skyrocketing by nearly 400% in its first week alone.
Is 'Heated Rivalry' Coming to the Netherlands?
Here's the most exciting part for us! While Season 1 was initially limited to Canada, the US, and Australia, HBO Max has now acquired the rights for both seasons across much of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The announcement specifically mentions Europe, excluding a few countries—and the Netherlands is NOT on that exclusion list!
This is a huge indicator that we can expect to see Heated Rivalry on HBO Max in the Netherlands very soon. While an official Dutch release date hasn't been announced, this expansion deal is the best news we could have hoped for. Get ready to add it to your watchlist!
A Cultural Touchdown
The show's success is no surprise to the legions of fans who have been creating edits, fan art, and flooding social media with praise. In hockey-obsessed Canada, the series was a top trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) during its premiere weekend. This renewal confirms that there is a huge audience for well-told, steamy queer love stories that don't shy away from the complexities of identity and ambition.
In a joint statement, creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady said, "Watching our show become an international phenomenon has been extraordinary. We’re profoundly grateful to everyone that has been on this journey with us. Being renewed for a second season so early is a true honor, and we can’t wait to bring you even more of what you love."
The final episode of the six-part first season is scheduled to air on December 26th. With a second season now secured, fans can watch the finale knowing there's much more of Shane and Ilya's story to come.
