Watching the last episode of Heated Rivalry, what strikes me most is how confidently the whole production trusts the material. Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov deliver performances that feel lived‑in, grounded in hockey, and beautifully restrained — exactly the kind of acting that happens when performers are handed a good script and a director who trusts them to carry it.
Director Jacob Tierney, who helms all six episodes, maintains a tight, steady, and uncomplicated touch. There’s no flashy direction, no rushed scenes, no predictable editing rhythms, and none of the over‑the‑top stylistic flourishes so common in moviemaking today. Instead, he simply lets this queer tale breathe freely. The result is a show that feels refreshingly old‑fashioned in the best possible way: confident, character‑driven, and uninterested in distracting the audience with bells and whistles. Think Streisand and Redford in The Way We Were, and you’ll get the idea — a series about people, young men, falling in love.
The supporting cast — including François Arnaud as Scott Hunter and Franco Lo Presti as Cliff Marleau — adds a subtle subplot without ever pulling focus from the leads. The cinematography and locations give the series a clean visual palette that complements the emotional intimacy.
Heated Rivalry is based on the bestselling queer hockey‑romance novel by Rachel Reid. The novel, the second in Reid’s Game Changers series, was published in 2019 and quickly became a fan favourite for its slow‑burn romantic tension and iconic rivalry on the ice. The series centres on Hollander and Rozanov, both superstars of the sport, and brings their story to the screen with raw honesty and heart. The camera lingers on the characters, and everything else is just decoration — but it all bloody works.
Good script. Great acting. A restrained director. No predictable modern special effects. And a good old‑fashioned dose of sex, 70s‑style. The numerous wham‑bam‑thank‑you‑ma’am scenes are filmed to get the viewer hot and bothered — and they succeed. I’ve got to be frank, though: these scenes might not appeal to the homophobes out there. So you’ve been warned.
The final episode, featuring Hollander’s parents, is sublimely beautiful and a brilliant example of when “less is more.” It’s a powerful and moving conclusion to a well‑executed series.
Everyone deserves to live their best life, love whomever they choose, and enjoy the kind of good sex that reminds them they’re alive. Heated Rivalry, the series gets that — really gets it — and assembles a team that clearly believes in the same philosophy.
Good game, boys. Well played. Now hit the locker room and treat yourselves to a cold beer. 🍺
Harlequin ink 
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