There is more that is terrible than there is good right now. And they say that when that happens, we should hold onto what’s good. What’s good in pop culture at the moment is Heated Rivalry.

 

It is the hottest new series of the season, the most successful debut in Crave history and currently the top show on HBO Max. 

Look at how many times that tweet has been viewed. This is how viral Heated Rivalry has been, from eve before it premiered a few weeks ago. And then once the first two episodes dropped, it’s taken the industry by surprise. Because this is a Canadian production – based on a book series by a Canadian author, Rachel Reid, adapted by a Canadian showrunner, Jacob Tierney, and filmed in Canada with a largely Canadian cast and crew. 

 

When I hosted the Toronto premiere at the end of November, Justin Stockman, VP of Content Development & Programming at Bell Media (which owns Crave), told the audience that Crave funded this project entirely because they were unable to find financing partners. So there’s no overstating what a big deal it was that HBO acquired the title for distribution just before the show’s release. Crave bet on Jacob Tierney and Heated Rivalry and it paid off. And it will continue to pay off because it was just announced on Friday that the series has been officially greenlit for season two. This, hopefully, will be a boost for more original productions coming out of Canada. 

 

It's also encouraging that while HBO will continue distribution for other territories, Crave will continue to oversea production for the second season. In theory, then, notes will not be coming from HBO – and this is a good thing. Let the creatives cook they way they cooked before this thing became a phenomenon; outside interference is not necessary. 

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves because we’re still not even done with season one and the show’s popularity is still growing. Viewership for Heated Rivalry grew 400% after the first two episodes dropped. And it has yet to reach so many international markets, some of those deals are still being finalised. Also consider that there are a lot of people who’ve been waiting until all episodes from season one are available by December 26 to watch during the holiday break. Which means there will likely be another hype spike the week between Christmas and into the new year. 

 

So it’s smart that Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are doing a press push before most people shut it down. There are have been interviews with The Hollywood Reporter and Variety and Deadline, and a photo shoot and social media package with Vanity Fair.

 

This doesn’t just help Heated Rivalry and raise the profile of its two breakout stars, though, the media outlets are also benefiting. There are more likes on this Vanity Fair video featuring Hudson and Connor than there are for the previous post… about Euphoria! By almost double!

Heated Rivalry is the Super Bowl for the gays and the women. There are screening parties at queer bars all over the place. 

This is crazy to me… and I mean watching it at a bar. Out in public is not how I get my Hollanov fix, lol. I actually saw a post about someone watching it on the treadmill, that was wild to me to because, like, it’s not about embarrassment, it’s about, um, biology. 

 

Remember when they said that sex in movies and television wasn’t hitting with the youth? Heated Rivalry is here to expose those lies. Or, rather, maybe not cater to the youth and chase that demo but to listen to other demographics who have always wanted to show up for what they’ve long been loyalty to: romance and sex, done responsibility and produced ethically. And unapologetically. Which is what Heated Rivalry has delivered. No cast members are out here with any shame about this show and the love scenes that are depicted on it. Everyone understands their assignment and, most importantly, that this is what the audience has been missing: HORNY. That it came in the form of two queer characters who happen to play hockey is even better. Because this is a culture that desperately needed an update, to connect beyond its narrow boundaries. More people are watching Heated Rivalry than actual professional hockey games. And by the way, the NHL remains “the only Big 4 men’s pro team sports [league] with no out gay players, active or retired, in history.” According to a poll conducted in 2023, it was considered by some to be the most anti-2SLBTQ+ league in North America. It remains to be seen if Heated Rivalry can change that, and the show should not have to carry that expectation, but at the very least, guaranteed it’s making people feel seen who otherwise have had to stay silent about their experiences. 

Attached: Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie at 'The Actors Night Hosted' by The Actor Awards & Elle in West Hollywood on December 11, 2025. 

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie attended 'The Actors Night Hosted' by The Actor Awards & Elle.

Photo credits: Chelsea Lauren/ Matt Baron/BEI/ Shutterstock

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