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In case you've been living under a puck, "Heated Rivalry' is the hottest (and, sorry "Bridgerton," most romantic) show on television right now. The small Canadian hockey show from "Letterkenny" and "Shoresy" creator Jacob Tierney has been a veritable pop-culture phenomenon since it hit Crave in its native Canada and HBO Max stateside on November 28, drawing viewers in with its mix of steamy physicality and surprising vulnerability.
The first season made overnight stars of leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie — who play closeted queer hockey pros Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively, as they navigate their secret romance over the course of a decade — and produced the highest-rated hour of TV this year with its swoon-worthy fifth episode. It's also since expanded into international markets, including the U.K.
When will 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 come out?
Good news, Hollanov shippers: A second season of "Heated Rivalry" is officially in the works. We're going back to the cottage!
“Watching our show become an international phenomenon has been extraordinary. We’re profoundly grateful to everyone who has been on this journey with us," said show creator Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady in a statement, per Deadline. "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.”
A specific release date hasn't been revealed yet, but Tierney did at least give diehard fans an estimate in a recent interview with Variety: "It can’t be the same time next year, because this time last year I’d written five of these, and this time this year I’ve written zero of them," he said. "So it’s going to be a little bit later, but it’s still going to be soon."
"We understand that everybody’s goal is to not do two years between seasons," he continued. "And at the same time, I don’t want to put out a rushed sh---y second season just because the show is very popular. But we’re very aware that our creative partners are enthusiastic and don’t want to wait too long. We’re getting back to work!"
As for even more installments of the sultry sports drama, an interview with GQ, it was revealed that both series stars, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, had signed up for three seasons of the show. And given that the program is an adaptation of Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" novel series — of which there are six books thus far and a seventh on the way — there's still plenty of smutty story to tell.
Who will be in 'Heated Rivalry' season 2?
There's no "Heated Rivalry" without Ilya and Shane so it goes without saying that lead stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams will be returning for the second season. It's also likely that François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. — who play hockey veteran Scott Hunter and his smoothie-barista beau Kip Grady — will also be making appearances, though the majority of their book storyline did play out in the first season so it's not clear in what capacity they'll feature.
Supporting cast members are also expected to return, including Christina Chang (as Yuna Hollander, Shane's mother), Dylan Walsh (as Shane's dad, David Hollander), Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana Sergeevna Vetrova (Ilya's close friend and occasional hook-up buddy) and Callan Potter (as Hayden Pike, Shane's Montreal Metros teammate and best friend).
What will 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 be about?
As with the first season, "Heated Rivalry" season 2 will pull from Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" books. While season 1 mostly adapted the first and second novels of the series (through Scott and Kip, and Shane and Ilya's storylines, respectively), season 2 will continue the Hollanov love story from the sixth book, "The Long Game."
An official season 2 synopsis hasn't yet dropped, but here's "The Long Game" plot description to give you an idea of what's to come: "Ten years. That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything? Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all. It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love. It’s time to make a call."
It's also likely that the second season will weave in another couple from the "Game Changers" universe, the way the first season did with Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. Options include hockey player Ryan Price and musician Fabian Salah from book three, "Tough Guy," or silver-fox goalie Eric Bennett and younger grad student Kyle Swift from book four, "Common Goal."
Tom's Guide will keep you posted about all things "Heated Rivalry" season 2, including character details, teaser trailers, release dates and more.
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