How Creative Freedom Brought ‘Heated Rivalry’ to Canada’s Crave Instead of a U.S. Platform
A TV executive has revealed the behind-the-scenes story of how Heated Rivalry, one of the most talked-about series in recent memory, nearly landed on a U.S. platform before creator Jacob Tierney walked away over creative differences.
Executive director & CEO at Téléfilm Canada Julie Roy shared the details during a Series Mania Forum panel on Global Audiovisual Alliances, explaining how the hockey romance drama found its home on Canadian streaming service Crave after a U.S.-based platform sought to reshape its vision, according to Variety.
Roy said the series was originally on track for an American distributor — until restrictions on the show’s creative direction became a dealbreaker.
“At first, it was supposed to be made with a U.S. platform. But he didn’t have the freedom he wanted,” Roy said, referring to Tierney.
The sticking point involved the show’s romantic content. Roy described creative differences around how the story’s central love story would be portrayed, adding, “For example, [they wanted] to have the first explicit scene only in episode five to tone down the romance.”
Rather than compromise the story he wanted to tell, Tierney chose to bring the project back to Canada.
Roy said that Crave stepped in and supported the series as originally conceived — a decision she praised openly during the panel.
“He decided to go back to Canada, and kudos to Crave who had the courage to welcome the full project. For me, that’s a great example of not being Hollywood and being authentic. Authenticity is something that really works,” Roy said.
That commitment to authenticity appears to have paid off. Roy pointed to the show’s passionate fanbase and remarkable repeat viewership as evidence of its resonance with audiences.
“This example is also interesting in terms of audience engagement. A high number of people just watched this series for the fifth time! It’s insane,” she said.
Heated Rivalry premiered in November 2025 on Crave and HBO Max. The series is based on the Game Changers book series written by Rachel Reid.
The show follows hockey players Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. The two are rivals who play for Montreal and Boston and develop a secret relationship over time. Across the six-episode first season, their dynamic evolves from rivals to friends-with-benefits and ultimately into a romantic relationship.
A second season has been confirmed and is expected to begin filming in the summer. It will be based on “The Long Game,” another installment in the book series, with a premiere expected sometime in spring 2027.
The synopsis for the next chapter teases deeper emotional stakes for the central couple: “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.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
