“Heated Rivalry” has skated into the hearts of viewers worldwide, with Crave’s breakout hit driving a seemingly endless stream of news.
Consider this page your hub for all the latest developments on the hockey romance created by Jacob Tierney and its stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
Peter Peter’s sizzling hockey soundtrack wins SOCAN award
May 4, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” composer Peter Peter went home a winner at the SOCAN Gala on Sunday as he picked up the breakthrough screen composer award.
The Quebec City-born musician was celebrated for writing the propulsive electronic soundtrack of Crave’s hit hockey romance.
The SOCAN Gala celebrates the cultural impact of music creators and publishers from Quebec and the Canadian Francophonie. It’s the Francophone counterpart to the SOCAN Awards, which take place later this year.
Other standout winners included Charlotte Cardin, who won four awards that recognized the popularity and virality of her hit songs, while Quebec City band Men I Trust won the international award for their global impact, which included touring as the opener for Billie Eilish. — David Friend
Is the NHL ready for an openly gay player?
April 30, 2026
With the popularity of the show “Heated Rivalry” featuring two gay players putting a spotlight on the sport, it raised the question of how an openly gay player would be accepted in the NHL. Key stakeholders point out there are challenges but say hockey is primed for the emergence of another pioneer.
“I think people are ready for this,” said longtime league and team executive Brian Burke, whose late son Brendan came out in 2009 and made his father one of the leading advocates for LGBTQ+ access. “A player like that would be welcomed. Now, he’d face some hard right-wing criticism and social media abuse, but I think we’re ready for it.”
There are myriad reasons it hasn’t happened yet, from concerns over the feelings of family members and teammates to the team-centric culture of hockey that discourages standing out for any reason.
“Hockey players don’t want attention and they’re going to deem it as there’s a concern that a team would see it as a distraction because of all the attention it would get,” said retired goaltender Brock McGillis, who came out after his career ended. “If you’re not a star and you’re a bubble (player), are you really going to risk that to potentially change the trajectory of your career? Maybe you get cut. Maybe you get sent down. Are you going to take that chance?”
Burke, 70, expects a negative outcry from people of his age range and on social media, something he said Brendan dealt with until his death in a car crash in early 2010. Then he expects an outpouring of support. He said he wished it had happened when he was general manager of an NHL team.
“It didn’t happen,” Burke said. “But I think we are closer and closer to it.” — The Associated Press
“Heated Rivalry” merch store gets its first restock
April 29, 2026
After months of empty shelves, the “Heated Rivalry” web store is back in action.
The official merch site for Crave’s hit hockey romance relaunched on Wednesday with a redesigned look and restocked inventory.
Highlights include tote bags featuring the fictional logos of Shane and Ilya’s hockey teams, an “I’m Coming to the Cottage” cap, and banana socks inspired by the good-luck charms that Kip gave Scott. In true Canadian spirit, the lineup also includes a range of toques.
The “Heated Rivalry” online store sold out of its entire inventory of sweatshirts and fridge magnets as viewers discovered the TV series adapted from Rachel Reid’s romance books. The show began airing last November igniting widespread demand for both official and unofficial memorabilia.
Previously, Reid operated a merchandise store for items inspired by her “Game Changers” book series, but TV producer Accent Aigu Entertainment assumed the responsibilities ahead of the show’s launch last year.
The web store remains based in Canada, which has prompted complaints from some U.S. fans about cross-border shipping costs.
“I couldn’t bring myself to pay double for a tshirt,” said one fan on Threads.
“Very grateful to be a Canadian today,” added another. — David Friend
“Heated Rivalry” wins prestigious Peabody Award for ‘cultural impact’
April 23, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” is now a Peabody Award winner.
The breakout Canadian TV series has been named one of 11 winning television programs in the entertainment field, representing the year’s most captivating and inspiring stories across broadcast and streaming media.
In its decision, the jury praised “Heated Rivalry” for balancing “complex themes of sexuality and emotional connection, inspiring fans and promoting non-toxic masculinity, ultimately making what was arguably the biggest cultural impact in television this year.” — David Friend
“Heated Rivalry” nets four Webby Awards
April 21, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” scored big at this year’s Webby Awards, with the social media teams behind the Crave hockey romance earning four honours.
The annual celebration of online excellence handed several awards to the Canadian series, including categories decided by the public.
Bell Media’s social media team won both a Webby Award and the fan-voted People’s Voice Award for best social campaign, which factored in the Toronto media company’s work on the “Heated Rivalry” TikTok account.
New York-based agency Razorfish netted two awards for its work on the Hudson Williams vs. Connor Storrie campaign — a viral, innuendo-laden exchange between the two stars.
The clip won a Webby for best television and film social video (short form), along with a People’s Voice honour for best community or fan engagement. — David Friend
Sophie Nélisse to be recognized with special honour at the Canadian Screen Awards
April 16, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” and “Yellowjackets” star Sophie Nélisse will receive the Radius Award at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards.
Organizers say Nélisse has been selected by the Academy in recognition of her work’s global impact. She will receive the honour at the CSAs broadcast on May 31, where the Crave series is among the leading nominees.
The Windsor-born, Montreal-raised actor has built a career of memorable performances in both English- and French-language productions.
Most recently, she’s drawn international attention for her role in Crave’s “Heated Rivalry,” playing Rose Landry, a fictional Hollywood actress entangled in the secret love affair between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Nélisse also stars as Young Shauna in the acclaimed Showtime series “Yellowjackets,” which is currently in production on its fourth and final season. — David Friend
Hudson Williams gets slapped with a fish in Laufey’s “Madwoman” music video
April 13, 2026
Grammy-winning jazz-pop singer Laufey is getting heated with Hudson Williams in her new music video.
The Icelandic musician and TikTok star released the visuals for her latest single “Madwoman” on Monday, and the “Heated Rivalry” star carried top billing.
The French New Wave-inspired video features Williams as an homme fatal (the male version of a femme fatale, of course), stealing the attention of everyone in sight.
Laufey catches onto her love interest’s mass appeal as they’re relaxing poolside, seeing his face splashed across the cover of a gossip magazine where his ex is dishing about their past. She rises from her seat to slap him across the face — with a fish. He falls into the pool, removes his wet T-shirt and continues to passively seduce everyone around him.
“Madwoman” features several other notable half-Asian performers, including Megan Skiendiel of the pop group Katseye, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu, and Lola Tung of Prime Video series “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
Five hours after its premiere on Monday morning the video had already racked up 800,000 views on YouTube.
Laufey has been feeding fans morsels of Williams’ appearance in recent days. She first posted Polaroids of him and his co-stars on her Instagram and later a clip of Williams shouting, “I’m in love with your sister,” a line that isn’t heard in the music video. This week, YouTube promoted its release with billboards in Los Angeles and Times Square that featured Laufey and Williams in an embrace.
“Madwoman” is directed by Warren Fu, who has previously helmed videos for Maggie Rogers, Dua Lipa, Shakira and Doja Cat. The song appears on the deluxe edition of Laufey’s “A Matter of Time,” which won this year’s Grammy for traditional pop vocal album. — David Friend
‘Heated Rivalry’ lands Peabody Award nomination
April 9, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” will face-off against “The Pitt” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” at the 2026 Peabody Awards.
The Crave hockey romance was among 15 timely television programs nominated in the entertainment field, including the critically acclaimed “Adolescence,” Star Wars series “Andor” and “The Rehearsal,” a docu-comedy starring Vancouver-raised Nathan Fielder.
Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller “Pluribus,” Michelle Williams-led “Dying for Sex,” and Mo Amer’s Netflix refugee comedy “Mo” were among the other titles selected as distinguished productions by the Peabody jury, which is made up of media industry professionals, media scholars, critics and journalists.
The Peabody Awards recognize media and stories that “encourage empathy, champion public interest, and expand our comprehension of the world around us,” and are chosen each year by a unanimous vote of 28 jurors from more than 1,000 entries.
The winners will be announced on April 23 and celebrated during a ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles on May 31. — David Friend
The ‘Heated Rivalry’ musical parody isn’t coming to Toronto yet. Here’s why
April 8, 2026
Hopes of bringing a “Heated Rivalry” musical comedy to Toronto have been dashed — at least for now — after one of its creators said he couldn’t secure a venue for an unauthorized stage adaptation of the Canadian TV hit.
“Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” director Alan Kliffer says he thought the buzz around its New York production would draw interest from Toronto theatres eager to book the show as soon as possible. But instead, he said he couldn’t find anywhere in the city to host it this spring.
A fully staged production begins its eight-week run at Manhattan’s 6th Floor Theatre, formerly the McKittrick Hotel, on May 12.
While Kliffer says he’s still trying to put together a Canadian tour, with hopes for a stop in Toronto, others say the struggle to land a local venue demonstrates how the city’s theatre scene is unable to capitalize on shows that capture the current conversation.
“It’s a challenge to find space for any length of time, unless you plan way ahead,” said Derrick Chua, an independent Toronto producer.
“We’re not used to people coming along to try to find space, so there’s not enough demand for them to exist.” — David Friend
‘Heated Rivalry’ parody musical expands off-Broadway run
March 31, 2026
The creators of “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” are expanding their off-Broadway ambitions.
After a sellout limited run of staged readings in New York City, the comedy musical will have a full, staged eight-week run at the 6th Floor Theatre, formerly the McKittrick Hotel, which was once home to the immersive play “Sleep No More.”
Director Alan Kliffer told the Toronto Star that the theatre will seat about 170 people each night, when performances begin on May 12, with the opening night on May 26.
“Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” has captured attention on social media as the popularity of Jacob Tierney’s Crave TV series, based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling novels, continues to drive interest for an array of events inspired by the story.
The musical parody’s initial reading ran for four nights at Manhattan’s 90-seat Laurie Beechman Theater earlier in March, and organizers say the first shows sold out in 48 hours. Additional nights were added at Brooklyn’s 350-seat Bell House to meet demand, and they sold out just as quickly.
“It does seem like people are hungry for it,” Kliffer said.
“Every minute of the way has been just a succession of happy accidents.”
The stage show is framed by a Greek chorus of “wine moms,” all named Susan, who are obsessed with the gay hockey romance. They serve as narrators who recount Shane Hollander’s sexual awakening in the arms of Ilya Rozanov. The pair are surrounded by a cast of characters who play the lovers’ family and friends.
Jimin Moon of Broadway’s “Sunset Blvd.” and “Disney’s Aladdin,” portrays Hollander while Jay Armstrong Johnson of the Tony-winning revivals of “Parade” and “Hair” plays Rozanov.
The show is written by Dylan MarcAurele, known for “Meg4n: The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” inspired by the hit horror flick about a killer robot, and “Pop Off, Michelangelo!” a comedy about the famed painter’s relationship with Leonardo DiVinci which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.
MarcAurele said he began taking notes for his parody musical immediately after he started watching the series.
“I’m so inspired by things that are written very specifically and iconically,” he said.
“The exact intention, I assume, of Jacob Tierney (and) Rachel Reid was coming through to me, and I was dialing it up to eight or nine.”
Kliffer, a Winnipeg native, previously served as the artistic director of Asylum NYC, where the Celine Dion-inspired musical parody “Titanique” got its start.
He said there are no plans yet to bring the show to Canada. — David Friend
Toronto artist creates ‘Heated Rivalry’ mosaic
March 26, 2026
Briony Douglas is one of Toronto’s busiest contemporary artists and this weekend she’s giving “Heated Rivalry” fans something new to get excited about.
Douglas will present a portrait of actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie crafted from Pantone colour chips at the Artist Project, a celebration of Canadian art happening at the Enercare Centre.
Known for her sculptures that range from pop-culture parody to precise Pantone mosaics, Douglas assembled her “Heated Rivalry” piece from 11,000 tiny Pantone squares that she meticulously colour-coded and placed on a canvas.
Her artwork will be on display at the Artist Project, running Thursday to Sunday in Hall A of the Enercare Centre. — Kristjan Lautens
‘Heated Rivalry’ lands 18 Canadian Screen Award nominations
March 25, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” wasn’t supposed to be eligible for this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, yet the hit series landed 18 nominations after its producers successfully appealed to the academy for consideration.
Crave’s smash hit is in the running for categories that include best drama series, direction for Jacob Tierney and lead performer nods for Hudson Williams and François Arnaud.
It trails only Netflix and CBC’s “North of North,” which earned 20 nods, as the top contender this year. — David Friend
Stars unite to address toxic fandom
March 20, 2026
After months defined by celebration and inclusivity, the “Heated Rivalry” fandom is showing signs of discord as a vocal minority of the show’s audience has turned on the very actors they claim to adore, perpetuating racist abuse and homophobic tropes.
At the centre of the storm are “shipping wars” — conspiracy theories developed by fans who want lead actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie to be in a real-life relationship.
This has led to fans fighting proxy battles for their favourite stars, often accusing cast members of sabotaging one another, even as the actors maintain that the set was a comfortable place where everyone felt like family.
On March 9, most of the “Heated Rivalry” cast united with an unprecedented public condemnation of their own audience shared on social media: “Don’t call yourself a fan if you share racist/homophobic/biphobic/misogynistic/ageist/ableist/parasocial/bigoted comments of any kind,” the statement read. “None of us need your hateful ‘love.’” — Sima Shakeri
‘Yaga’ to play Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre
March 17, 2026
“Yaga” is making its return to the Toronto stage.
As Crave prepares its TV adaptation of the buzzworthy Canadian play, with “Heated Rivalry” lead Hudson Williams in the cast, producers say an all-new production will open at the Tarragon Theatre next season. The move is certain to capture some of the renewed curiosity around the production, which hasn’t played the city since late 2019.
Kat Sandler’s fairy-tale thriller reimagines a Slavic myth, setting the story in a small town where a local sheriff, a young detective and a university professor become embroiled in a murder mystery involving a child-eating witch. The revival will be directed by Jill Harper.
The new production will play Tarragon Theatre’s Mainspace from May 11, 2027, to June 6, 2027. Tickets for the season are already available, while single tickets will be available starting July 1, through the theatre’s website.
While Crave hasn’t announced when its version of “Yaga” will be released on the streaming service, it will likely debut a few months before Tarragon mounts its production.
In the TV version, Williams plays Henry Park, the heir to a powerful fishery who has vanished, while “Schitt’s Creek” star Noah Reid is the detective who descends on the town to solve the mystery. Carrie-Anne Moss is the professor with a taste for younger men. — David Friend
Hudson Williams’ big night at the Oscars
March 16, 2026
Hudson Williams might have attracted more Oscars attention than most of this year’s nominees.
The “Heated Rivalry” star was seen all around Hollywood on Sunday as he walked the red carpet on the movie industry’s biggest night, mingled with celebs and reunited with his co-star Connor Storrie at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.
Williams took the weekend off filming the Crave original series “Yaga” in British Columbia for the big event.
He showed up on the Oscars carpet wearing an all-black Balenciaga suit accessorized with Bulgari jewelry. But it was his $20 hand-held electric fan that seemed to get the most notice. As he worked the carpet doing interviews, he whipped out the pocket-sized device to keep the sweat off his face.
Inside the Dolby Theatre, Williams was all smiles as he posed for photos with “One Battle After Another” actor Chase Infiniti, and when director Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” won best international feature, he was seen on the broadcast jumping to his feet with enthusiastic applause.
At the Vanity Fair after-party, Williams reconnected with Storrie as they posed together in what was apparently unplanned matching outfits.
Williams wore a sheer sleeveless blouse from Balenciaga paired with jewelry by Bulgari, while Storrie was dressed in a high-neck shirt from Saint Laurent and jewelry from Tiffany & Co.
Williams also made his red carpet debut with longtime girlfriend Katelyn Rose Larson. The pair kept their romance mostly secret as his star rose, but on Valentine’s Day they went public on his Instagram with a series of photographs celebrating their relationship. — David Friend
Hudson Williams will attend the Oscars
March 12, 2026
Hudson Williams is bringing his star power to the Academy Awards.
Reports say the homegrown “Heated Rivalry” actor will attend the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. — David Friend
‘Heated Rivalry’ wins outstanding new series at GLAAD Media Awards
March 6, 2026
It was a “Heated Rivalry” mini-reunion at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, as Canada’s hockey romance won the prize for outstanding new TV series.
Actors Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, Christina Chang, Nadine Bhabha and Robbie G.K. joined creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady in Los Angeles for the annual celebration of LGBTQ+ programs across various forms of media. Hudson Williams was unable to make the show due to prior commitments, telling fans on Threads, “I tried very hard to be there, but it was not possible.”
Tierney accepted the GLAAD award by thanking its Canadian distribution partner Crave, as well as “found family at HBO,” who picked up the series for the HBO Max streaming service in many international markets.
He also paid tribute to Norman Lear, the groundbreaking TV producer behind “All in the Family” and more than 100 other TV series, who died in 2023 at 101 years old. Tierney said he “had the privilege of getting to know (him) a little before he passed.”
Lear’s final TV series, “Clean Slate” and “Boots” were nominated in the same category as “Heated Rivalry” this year.
“We talk about allies and we talk about legacy; Norman Lear was an amazing man and he would’ve been proud of both of those shows; they’re so good,” Tierney said from the stage.
He also named “Queer as Folk,” “The L Word,” “Dante’s Cove,” “Transparent” and “Will & Grace” as TV series that opened doors for the latest wave of queer entertainment.
“We owe so much to the shows that came before us, as problematic as some of them may be,” he said.
“Those shows allowed for the rest of us to, kind of, live in a world here and I’m so grateful to them.” — David Friend
Jacob Tierney lines up Alexander the Great series at Netflix
March 5, 2026
Netflix says “Heated Rivalry” creator Jacob Tierney will write, direct and executive produce “Alexander” alongside Brendan Brady, his longtime production partner.
Adapted from Annabel Lyon’s Giller Prize shortlisted 2009 book “The Golden Mean,” the series explores the little-known story of Alexander the Great and his tutor, Aristotle, who postpones his ascendancy to the head of the Academy in Athens to instruct the young prince and soon-to-be military commander.
Brady’s Accent Aigu Entertainment will produce “Alexander” in co-operation with Aggregate Films, which was founded by actor Jason Bateman and producer Michael Costigan. — David Friend
The ‘Heated Rivalry’ cottage gets booked out in ‘seconds’
March 3, 2026
Dreams of heading to the cottage any time soon were crushed for most “Heated Rivalry” fans on Tuesday as four weekends at the Muskoka hotspot sold out in a matter of seconds.
Jayne’s Cottages, the high-end property manager behind the rentals, issued an open letter to fans saying that all four weekends were snapped up “within seconds of noon” when the listing first went live on Airbnb, adding that the response “confirmed just how extraordinary the demand is.”
Jayne’s Cottages confirmed these limited spots were “celebratory rates” and that the cottage would be “priced according to market value” when summer bookings open on June 1.
Marjorie Beaugad, originally from France and now living in Boston, was one of a lucky few. She secured the cottage from May 8 to 10, its first weekend of availability, and plans to stay with two of her closest friends.
“I’m ecstatic,” the 35-year-old told the Star. “I was at work. I couldn’t scream, but I would have.”
On Monday, a few eagle-eyed fans noticed Airbnb had posted a weekend getaway in early 2027 at a significantly higher price.
Two nights at the cottage in late February 2027 were listed for $12,342. A representative for Airbnb attributed the high price to a glitch and confirmed the listing has since been removed. — David Friend
Rachel Reid mixes and mingles on Big Apple visit
March 2, 2026
Rachel Reid made her trip to New York one to remember.
The “Heated Rivalry” author visited the city for several days in the lead up to Connor Storrie hosting “Saturday Night Live,” hitting up shows on Broadway and mingling with the stars of Crave’s hit hockey series.
Reid posted a series of photos on her Instagram of her adventures, which she said included meeting actor Robbie G.K., who plays Kip Grady on “Heated Rivalry,” for the first time.
She swung by Broadway’s “Hadestown” to see Montreal singer-songwriter Allison Russell reprise her role as Persephone. They grabbed a photograph together with Reid holding the show’s programme and Russell clutching a signed copy of the “Heated Rivalry” book.
Other stops on her tour included a dinner party hosted by Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Versha Sharma, who surprised Reid with “Heated Rivalry” lead actor Hudson Williams showing up as a guest.
“Thanks to a million more people for being awesome and spending time with me. And huge congrats to (Connor Storrie) who absolutely crushed SNL. I’m so happy I got to be there in person,” Reid wrote. — David Friend
Connor Storrie star hosts ‘SNL,’ joined by members of the U.S. men and women’s hockey teams
March 1, 2026
Connor Storrie’s first-ever host appearance on “Saturday Night Live” was all about hockey — both the real and fictional varieties — with a dash of jabs at U.S. President Donald Trump.
In his opening monologue, interrupted by cheers after almost every line, Storrie spoke about his journey to fame, Texas upbringing and gratitude for his recent success.
At one point, Storrie also joked about how his own hockey skills pale in comparison to those who competed at this year’s Winter Olympics. That’s when American pro hockey stars Jack and Quinn Hughes entered the scene.
“No way man, I hear you’re great,” older brother Quinn said. Both wore their Team USA jerseys, with their Olympic gold around their necks.
“I got my teeth knocked out in the finals. Does that happen on your show?” asked Jack, who scored the golden goal against Canada, adding that the brothers haven’t had time to catch the show. Storrie replied, “Metaphorically.”
Then, as Storrie said he wished some hockey players had seen “Heated Rivalry,” Hilary Knight and Megan Keller of the American women’s team stepped onto the stage, perhaps to even louder cheers than the Hughes brothers received.
“Don’t worry, we saw your show,” said Keller, who scored the winning goal for the women’s team, also against Canada in overtime. — Daniyah Yaqoob
Connor Storrie takes on “Saturday Night Live”
Feb. 27, 2026
Live from New York, it’s Ilya Rozanov!
“Heated Rivalry” actor Connor Storrie, who plays the Russian hockey star on the hit TV series, takes off his skates to host this weekend’s episode of “Saturday Night Live.” It’s a first for the 26-year-old Colorado native, who will be joined by musical guest Mumford & Sons.
But fans of the Crave TV romance aren’t entirely pleased with one of the surprises that may be in store.
Hollywood trade publication Deadline reports U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player Quinn Hughes is also expected to make an appearance. It comes just days after his team was captured in a video laughing along with U.S. President Donald Trump over a joke he made about being obligated to invite the gold-medal winning U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team to the White House.
Some of Storrie’s “Heated Rivalry” family might be around the Big Apple to offer their support. Earlier this week, Rachel Reid posted a photo on her Instagram seemingly backstage at Cole Escola’s Tony-winning Broadway show “Oh, Mary!” with a group that included Simu Liu. – David Friend
Season 2 aims for summer shoot, early 2027 release
Feb. 26, 2026
Bell Media tells the Star that production is set to begin on “Heated Rivalry” Season 2 “sometime this summer,” with plans for a spring 2027 premiere date.
The confirmation from the broadcaster, which owns the Crave channels and streaming TV service, came after show creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady appeared on CBS Mornings, telling host Gayle King they hoped for the show to return in April 2027. — David Friend
Rachel Reid postpones new book partly due to health issue
Feb. 24, 2026
The East Coast author says that her publisher Harlequin has agreed to postpone the highly anticipated release of “Unrivaled,” until June 1, 2027. It was originally set to hit bookstores on Sept. 29.
Reid shared the news in an Instagram video message in which she spoke about how her life has changed since TV’s “Heated Rivalry” drew more attention to her “Game Changers” book series, upon which the show is based.
“I think when good things happen, sometimes the universe hands you some more stuff to balance it out. And for me, that’s been that my Parkinson’s symptoms have gotten a bit worse, and it’s made it difficult physically to write,” said Reid.
“I just needed a few more months for writing, and my publisher has been gracious enough to give those to me,” she said in a video posted on social media.
In the summer of 2023, Reid was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after a tremor in her right arm and hand became persistent. A few days later, Montreal filmmaker Jacob Tierney reached out about optioning “Heated Rivalry” for a TV series he wanted to develop. — David Friend
The cottage from ‘Heated Rivalry’ will soon be bookable on Airbnb
Feb. 24, 2026
The lakefront home that serves as the setting for the season finale will officially open for stays on Airbnb, the rental platform confirmed.
Dubbed the Barlochan cottage, the three-bedroom retreat in Ontario’s Muskoka Lakes has been the subject of intense fan discussion since the episode aired.
Protagonists Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov spend the summer there, and what begins as a private escape becomes an emotional turning point in their relationship, as they open up about their fears, their families and the possibility of a shared future.
Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping lake views, the cottage, says a release, is synonymous with “charged exchanges, candid conversations and unforgettable moments.” — CP
Hudson Williams tapped for Baba Yaga drama at Crave
Feb. 18, 2026
Williams will star alongside Carrie-Anne Moss, best known for her role in “The Matrix,” Noah Reid from “Schitt’s Creek” and Clark Backo of “Letterkenny” in “Yaga,” a drama based on the Baba Yaga myth. It’s his first TV project since “Heated Rivalry” debuted last year.
The series is based on the hit play by Kat Sandler, which reimagines the Slavic myth of a child-eating witch who lives in a hut made of chicken bones as a small-town mystery thriller with a compelling female anti-hero.
Williams will portray Henry Park, the heir to a powerful fishery who has disappeared, while Reid will play Rapp, a detective who’s come to town to solve the mystery.
Moss plays Katherine, who Crave describes as “a charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men.” — CP
The hottest show in hockey is embraced by fans and players at Winter Olympics
Feb. 17, 2026
The biggest fans of “Heated Rivalry” at the Olympics may be the Canadian delegation.
As part of the Olympic experience, athletes were gifted a potted plant. Many of the Canadians named theirs Shane or Ilya, according to the delegation’s lead press liaison, Tara MacBournie.
Canadian Alpine skier Kiki Alexander took the love a bit further, sharing on TikTok that the village’s Canadian moose has been named Shane.
“If you know, you know,” she wrote. — AP
‘Heated Rivalry’ spotlighting Montreal and its renowned bagels
Feb. 7, 2026
“Heated Rivalry” is putting the spotlight on Montreal and among those reaping the benefits is one of the city’s iconic bagel shops.
In the opening moments of the fifth episode, Rose Landry, a character played by Quebec actress Sophie Nélisse, appears wearing a T-shirt bearing the St-Viateur Bagel logo. The scene lasts less than a minute but was a boon for the famous Montreal institution, which has been producing its famous bagels since 1957.
Online orders “exploded” in the weeks following the episode’s release on Dec. 12, according to the company’s marketing director, Benjamin Choquette.
“Merchandise sales, especially the logo T-shirt, have almost tripled,” he said in an interview. Bagel orders have also increased, to a lesser extent, he added.
Sales were mainly concentrated in Quebec and Ontario, but there was also interest in other provinces such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The Montreal bakery even shipped a few packages to Europe. And there was a bit of a boom in the United States, where the series has also proven very successful.
But Montreal as a whole is seeing an uptick in interest among tourists, and Tourisme Montréal notes social media buzz abounds as fans express their desire to visit thanks to the immensely popular gay hockey drama. — CP
City of Regina urged to promote connections to ‘Heated Rivalry’
Feb. 7, 2026
Some residents of Saskatchewan’s capital are hoping their city can jump on the “Heated Rivalry” bandwagon, arguing Regina has skin in the game to make hay from the hit series.
In the opening scene of the series, hockey phenoms Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov meet for the first time outside a Regina arena. The characters are both in the city for the International Prospect Cup, a fictional tournament akin to the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Resident Tanna Dietrich said she was surprised when she saw the scene, which displays the city’s name over the shot.
“Obviously it’s not shot in Regina, but you can envision it being at the Brandt Centre,” Dietrich said.
She said the city could be using the moment to promote Regina to the rest of the world.
Since the show became a smash hit, other cities, hockey teams, universities and businesses have used it in their marketing.
Dietrich noted McGill University changed wording on its social media account to acknowledge Shane’s father was an alumnus. Last month, Ottawa’s mayor declared Shane Hollander Day to recognize the character’s city roots.
Team Canada has also weighed in. In a social media post in January, the organization responded to eager fans wanting Shane’s red-and-white fleece jacket that emblazoned the Maple Leaf. — CP
When Hudson met Connor: Inside the Zoom call where ‘Heated Rivalry’ found its stars
Feb. 6, 2026
When Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie logged into a Zoom room for their first chemistry read, casting directors Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay felt it instantly.
Even through a screen, the spark was undeniable. “Heated Rivalry” had found its hockey heartthrobs: Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
“They were so comfortable with each other. It was a real connection,” says Lewis, noting that series creator Jacob Tierney helped set an easygoing tone on the call.
“They were relaxed, joking when they weren’t in scene. There was an instant camaraderie between the two — even though they hadn’t met in person at that point.” — CP
Crave’s owner BCE Inc. sees ‘Heated Rivalry’ pop in its fourth-quarter financial results
Feb. 5, 2026
The sizzle of “Heated Rivalry” is being felt far beyond its loyal fanbase.
Telecommunications company BCE Inc., which owns Bell Media and the Crave brand, says that subscriptions to the streaming platform rose 26 per cent from the same three months a year earlier, helped in part by interest in the gay hockey series.
The fourth-quarter financial results showed that subscribers hit about 4.6 million at the end of the period.
“Heated Rivalry” debuted well into the financial quarter and became an almost instant sensation which has only gained steam in more recent weeks.
The Crave TV series has emerged as a global sensation, generating significant media attention and cultural impact and underscoring the strength of our investment in premium Canadian storytelling,” BCE’s chief executive Mirko Bibic told analysts on a conference call. – David Friend/CP
Libraries are offering unlimited ‘Heated Rivalry’ audiobook downloads
Jan. 29, 2026
The Toronto Public Library is the latest institution to make the “Heated Rivalry” audiobook available without a waiting list.
It follows other libraries in Canada and the U.S. that have made digital versions of the audiobook and ebook, which inspired the hit Crave TV series, readily available to borrow — including the Calgary Public Library, Burlington Public Library and, notably, the New York Public Library.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told city dwellers over the weekend to stay indoors during a snowstorm and “take advantage of our public library’s offer of free access to ‘Heated Rivalry’ on ebook or audiobook.” — CP
Mark Carney meets ‘Heated Rivalry’ star Hudson Williams
Jan. 29, 2026
Sex, politics and hockey collided as Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Ottawa dignitaries gathered with the star and creators of “Heated Rivalry” to toast the saucy success of the homegrown Crave TV series.
The unlikely scene — a room full of political leaders and TV industry players gathering to listen to a panel discussion about the hit show, including the filming of its graphic sex scenes — played out in the nation’s capital during Prime Time, an annual conference for the TV and media industry.
On the red carpet, Canadian star Williams (Shane Hollander on the show) presented Carney with a “Heated Rivalry” Team Canada Olympic jacket, clapping as he tried it on. Williams told Carney the fleece was the same jacket he wore on the show, jokingly suggesting that it might still smell.
After a photographer encouraged the duo to hug, Carney suggested to Williams, “Do the leg thing.”
“What’s the leg thing? Oh, the leg thing!” Williams exclaimed, as Carney took the actor’s leg in his arm.
Later, in his opening remarks at the panel, the prime minister introduced Williams as “my new best friend, Hudson.” — David Friend
Internet-famous ‘Heated Rivalry’ Canada fleece jacket to go on sale
Jan. 28, 2026
The internet-famous fleece jacket from “Heated Rivalry” is making the leap from screen to real life.
First seen in Crave’s hit gay hockey drama on character Shane Hollander when he plays for Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics, the fleece quickly sparked online enthusiasm, with fans repeatedly asking how they could purchase it.
Now, the show’s production company, Accent Aigu Entertainment, has teamed up with Canadian-owned clothing brand Province of Canada to produce and distribute the jacket. — CP
This University of Guelph hockey player is Shane Hollander’s body double
Jan. 23, 2026
While the rinks are mostly a backdrop on the hit Crave series, it was up to a team of real-life players, including Jonah De Simone, to make sure the action on the ice rang true.
The 23-year-old University of Guelph student was cast as the hockey body double for Shane Hollander, played by Kelowna, B.C. native Hudson Williams. He portrayed most of the complicated moves and close-up shots for the character in the games and advised on some of the other interactions.
The former Guelph Gryphon right-winger, who also played for the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs, had answered a call from his coach seeking players who might be interested in working on a new TV series.
After sending in his height, weight and skill level, De Simone said the casting director got in touch, suggesting that he would be the perfect fit to double for one of the main characters.
With little sense of what the job might involve, he showed up on the first day with fellow body double Ralph Taggart, who stood in for his Russian rival Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie.
“All the sudden it goes from like, we’re sitting on our phones doing nothing to, ‘OK try on these skates, tell them how to tape their socks, tape these five sticks.’ We even had to decide on a look for Shane’s character.”
De Simone tossed out a few other suggestions that stuck, including the groin stretch Hollander does in the locker room, a move that Williams recreated on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show a few weeks back.
Working so closely with the actors gave De Simone the kind of insights fit for any “Heated Rivalry” trivia night.
For instance, he says Williams built out the universe of his character with small details, such as scribbling the name of his mom, Yuna Hollander, on the knob of his stick. — David Friend
‘Heated Rivalry’ scores second season at Crave
Dec. 12, 2025
Canada’s hot new hockey romance has scored a second season renewal.
Bell Media says its breakout hit “Heated Rivalry” will return to Crave and its U.S. streaming service partner, HBO Max, for more episodes.
The LGBTQ+ series from writer-director Jacob Tierney has exploded in popularity over the past few weeks, thanks to clips of its spicier moments shared widely on TikTok and other social media platforms.
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie star as rival NHL hotshots Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who fall into a years-long relationship outside of the rink.
Crave says its steamy adaptation was its most-watched original series debut within the first seven days, though it did not provide exact viewership numbers.
“Heated Rivalry” is based on the “Game Changers” book series by Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid.
Outside North America, several new distribution deals have been secured for the Crave Original, including Sky in New Zealand and Movistar Plus+ in Spain.
HBO Max will have the show’s rights in numerous regions of Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines, while deals with platforms in additional countries will be announced soon, including the United Kingdom. – David Friend/CP
