Heated Rivalry Season 1 Release Date, Cast, and Everything We Know So Far

Heated Rivalry Season 1 is officially streaming on Crave and Max. The six-episode breakout series, which centers on the intense on-ice and off-ice relationship between two rival hockey prodigies, premiered on November 28, 2025, and quickly became a global streaming phenomenon.

Heated Rivalry Season 1 Release Date

The first season of Heated Rivalry premiered on Friday, November 28, 2025. In Canada, the series rolled out on Crave, while viewers in the United States and select international territories streamed it concurrently on Max, which secured global distribution rights just ahead of the launch.

Following a massively successful first run, Crave officially announced that Season 2 is in active development for a spring 2027 release, which will adapt Rachel Reid's 2022 sequel novel, The Long Game.

Full Plot Breakdown

Created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney (Shoresy, Letterkenny), Heated Rivalry is a live-action adaptation of the beloved Game Changers sports romance novel series by Rachel Reid. The show tracks a decade-long secret relationship that cuts straight through the hyper-masculine, fiercely competitive world of professional hockey.

The Rookie Awakening

The story begins with Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), two generational hockey talents destined to be lifelong adversaries. Shane is the golden boy: the meticulous, media-trained Canadian captain of the Montreal Metros. Ilya is the league's flashy, unfiltered Russian superstar playing for the Boston Raiders. While sports media aggressively hypes up their bitter on-ice feud, a tense, late-night encounter early in their rookie careers sparks an unexpected, intensely private physical connection.

A Closet Under the Spotlight

What starts as a casual, undercover fling evolves over several years into a deeply emotional bond that neither player entirely knows how to navigate. As both men rise to the absolute peak of their sport—competing in high-stakes playoff series and facing off internationally at the Winter Olympics—the pressure to keep their sexuality a secret from teammates, fans, and homophobic front offices mounts.

Public Profiles vs. Private Truths

Throughout the season, Shane struggles to balance his carefully crafted public image with his true self, even entering a highly publicized relationship with movie star Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse) to deflect media scrutiny. Meanwhile, Ilya hides behind a brash, villainous public persona to protect his vulnerabilities. The narrative tracks their secret rendezvous in hotel rooms, All-Star games, and a secluded cottage, forcing both stars to choose between a historic sports legacy and the only person who truly understands the weight of their spotlight.

Post-Credits Scene / What's Next for the Franchise

The Season 1 finale leaves Shane and Ilya at a major turning point in their careers and their relationship, setting up a massive shift in stakes. With Season 2 officially confirmed to adapt The Long Game, the upcoming chapter will skip forward in time to explore the realities of a long-term, domestic relationship while still hiding in the closet, the grueling physical toll of aging in the league, and the eventual, high-stakes choice to finally live openly.

Quick Facts

• Release Date: November 28, 2025

  
  

• Platform: Crave (Canada) / Max (USA)

  
  

• Director / Showrunner: Jacob Tierney

  
  

• Runtime: Approx. 45–53 minutes per episode (6 episodes)

  
  

• Cast: Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, Sophie Nélisse, Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Robbie G.K.

  
  

• Status: Season 1 Streaming Now (Season 2 in Development)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Heated Rivalry based on a book?

Yes. The series is directly adapted from Rachel Reid's bestselling 2019 MM sports romance novel Heated Rivalry, which is the second book in her Game Changers series.

Who plays Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov?

Canadian actor Hudson Williams stars as the disciplined Montreal Metros captain Shane Hollander, while Connor Storrie co-stars as the rebellious Boston Raiders forward Ilya Rozanov.

How many episodes are in Season 1?

Season 1 consists of six episodes: "Rookies", "Olympians", "Hunter", "Rose", "I'll Believe in Anything", and "The Cottage".

Will there be a Season 2 of Heated Rivalry?

Yes! Due to record-breaking viewership and critical acclaim, Crave and Max have greenlit Season 2, which is targeted for a spring 2027 release and will adapt the sequel book, The Long Game.