Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Heated Rivalry - Season One

Heated Rivalry is the horny Canadian sports/romance series everyone is talking about right now! The gay drama that has tongues waging, the world over. Streaming on HBO Max in Australia, the series being a Crave original in Canada.

Created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney, the series is based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers novel series.

Following two rival professional hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose on-ice animosity conceals a passionate, secret romance. 

Also starring, François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Sophie Nélisse, & Nip/Tuck's Dylan Walsh.

Tierney began developing an adaptation of Reid's novels in 2023, with the series' development officially announced in January 2025. 

In April 2025, Williams and Storrie joined the cast under three-season contracts. 

Filming took place in Ontario and Quebec from April to June 2025, so hopefully season two will start production ASAP!

As the series was renewed for a second season earlier this month. No doubt it will get a third too! The series received critical acclaim, with praise for the directing, writing, and the lead actors' performances and chemistry. 

Heated Rivalry also achieved strong audience viewership, becoming Crave's most-watched original series to date and HBO Max's top debut for an acquired, non-animated title since the platform's launch in 2019.

The horny drama, has been described by media outlets as a global sensation and a break-out critical hit. So how'd it end over Boxing Day? Spoiler below, be warned! I was hooked on this series. I was late to the party, but smashed all six episodes, almost back-to-back!

In the finale, The Cottage, Kip and his friends watch Scott on TV accepting the Most Valuable Player award, where he discusses his coming out. 

Shane picks Ilya up from the airport and they head to Shane's cottage. Ilya is startled by a loon call, mistaking it for a wolf howl. 

After Shane opens up about his parents, Ilya tells Shane his mother committed suicide when he was 12 and that he was the one who found her body. The following evening, Ilya suggests marrying Svetlana to obtain American citizenship. 

When Shane asks him why he doesn't marry someone he'd truly love, Ilya admits he only cares about Shane. That night, Shane outlines a plan to start a suicide prevention charity together and an effort to transform their rivalry into a public friendship, while also having Ilya sign with a Canadian team in order to be closer to Shane. 

Ilya finally tells Shane he loves him, which Shane returns. 

The next day, they are kissing outside when they notice Shane's dad in the house, who hurriedly leaves. They go to Shane's parents' cottage, where they tell Shane's parents everything. While they suspected Shane might be gay, they're surprised by his involvement with Ilya. 

In private, Shane's mom tearfully apologises for making him feel that he couldn't be honest with her. Over dinner, Ilya calls himself Shane's boyfriend for the first time. With Shane's parents aware of their relationship, Shane and Ilya return to Shane's cottage.

So romantic, but will season two be more dramatic? I smell drama incoming! Bring on season two. Come on Canada, let's go! Never has there been such a horny gay series, since Queer as Folk, the US version.

Almost time for my new streaming series, Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26. One more film review incoming too. Anaconda, hopefully Monday/Tuesday.

SEEYA!