Sorry 'Bridgerton,' but 'Heated Rivalry' is actually the most romantic (and horniest) show on TV

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in Heated Rivalry — (Image credit: Crave)

It was a good run: For the past five years, Netflix's "Bridgerton" has reigned as TV's smuttiest romance. The streamer's adaptation of Julia Quinn’s historical romance novels has become equally known for its carriage-shaking, spoon-licking, bodice-ripping bursts of sensuality as well as its heartfelt vulnerability, compelling emotional drama and swoon-worthy declarations of love.

And though "Bridgerton" season 4 will no doubt have more of the steamy same when it premieres on the streaming service later this month (four new episodes arrive on January 29), the series will have to contend with the fact that it's no longer TV's reigning sexy romance — it's been beaten by a hockey show.

Yes, "Heated Rivalry" — a small, Canadian sports romance created by Jacob Tierney ("Shoresy," "Letterkenny") for Crave and airing on HBO Max stateside — has officially claimed that crown, after a stratospherically successful first season that had fans frothing at the mouth over the on-ice animosity and off-ice affair between rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

Heated Rivalry | Official Trailer | HBO Max - YouTube

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And all of that rink-melting heat has clearly paid off: Since the series premiered on November 28, it has remained solidly in the number-one spot on HBO Max's most-watched list and has garnered a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics rave: "Jacob Tierney lovingly adapts Rachel Reid's hockey-set romance novels into an all-consuming, steamy, dreamy love fest of true queer intent, making 'Heated Rivalry' a bona fide winner."

But while viewers may have initially tuned in for the, ahem, pucking, it's the unexpected tenderness and thoughtfulness in which "Heated Rivalry" handles Shane and Ilya's relationship that makes it TV's best new love story.

Across six episodes, Jacob Tierney — who wrote and directed every installment — smartly paces the characters' coupling, starting from the high-energy, quick-cut bursts of, yes, mostly sexual activity in the players' early years and later strategically slowing that action down as Ilya and Shane's bond deepens and moves away from the merely physical to the undeniably romantic.

By the finale, we're spending two weeks in one location — the infamous cottage — with our burgeoning couple while they, as Shane prompts, finally get honest with each other about what they think and how they really feel.

What helps push the lads to that place, literally and emotionally, is another couple from Reid's "Game Changers" universe: fellow hockey pro Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and the smoothie-shop barista Christopher "Kip" Grady (Robbie G.K.) whom he falls for in episode three.

Though still closeted publicly and professionally, Scott is privately very open with his feelings and intentions for Kip throughout their relationship, and the eventual grand reveal of their sweet, soulful courtship not only showed Shane and Ilya what could be possible for them but also, via the final moments of episode 5, gifted TV fans with the most romantic moment of television this past year: Scott waving Kip down to the ice in celebration of his first MLH Cup win and declaring both his love and queerness to the world by way of a swoon-worthy smooch. Not since Patrick touchingly serenaded David to the tune of Tina Turner's "The Best" in "Schitt's Creek" has an onscreen declaration of love so wrenched our hearts open.

That deeply felt intimacy, both emotional and carnal, will continue with a second season of "Heated Rivalry," which has already been picked up by Crave and is expected to hit streaming sometime in 2027. Until then, it's time to up your game, "Bridgerton."

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Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York.

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