5 Best Shows Like Heated Rivalry For Queer Romance & Sports Drama

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As a critic, I’ve been really struck by how well “Heated Rivalry” is connecting with audiences. It’s a fantastic blend of sports drama and a genuinely moving queer romance. If you’re enjoying this show, you’ll likely find similar themes explored in other streaming series. The heart of the story lies in the relationship between two professional hockey players – fierce rivals on the ice, but with a deep emotional connection off the rink. What I found particularly compelling is how the show delves into questions of identity and intimacy within the surprisingly vulnerable world of professional hockey and its hyper-masculine culture.

The sports setting in Heated Rivalry adds a strong emotional core to the story, but the show also gains impact by embracing its own intricate nature. Rather than simplifying things, Heated Rivalry tackles tough issues, using the world of professional hockey to explore the contrast between what people see and the characters’ private realities. This creates a gripping, high-pressure atmosphere that has really resonated with audiences.

If you’re looking for a queer romance, Heated Rivalry delivers, but it’s also a surprisingly rich story. The show’s early episodes beautifully explore the lives of Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), and the growing attraction between them.

I’ve been really drawn in by Heated Rivalry. It definitely has some unique elements, but what really makes it special is how clearly it focuses on the central relationship. It’s not really about hockey, and it’s not just about the contrast between public and private lives either. Honestly, Heated Rivalry has grabbed my attention so quickly because of the connection between the characters – that’s what it’s all about.

There’s been a lot of excitement around the queer romance in Heated Rivalry, and its release on HBO Max is a major success for the streaming service. Viewers are clearly eager for more shows like it, especially those featuring LGBTQ+ stories, which creates opportunities for other similar shows to gain attention.

5. Killing Eve

4 Seasons

Though it appears to be a spy thriller, the BBC America series Killing Eve (2018-2022) is fundamentally a love story. The show centers on the intense and dangerous connection between MI5 agent Eve Polastri, played by Sandra Oh, and assassin Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer. It’s a gripping, emotionally charged drama filled with suspense, mind games, and a growing obsession that ultimately builds romantic tension.

Similar to Heated Rivalry, Killing Eve centers around a dangerous and secretive connection between its characters. While Killing Eve explores more morally gray areas than Heated Rivalry, both shows share common themes within a complicated narrative.

4. Elite

8 Seasons

Image via Netflix

Netflix’s Elite is a Spanish teen drama set in a luxurious boarding school. The show, which ran for eight seasons from 2018 to 2024, is famous for its dramatic storylines and complicated relationships. Although some plots became a bit unusual over time, Elite skillfully blended romance and danger while exploring themes of sexual tension, hidden affairs, secrets, and loyalty.

Similar to Heated Rivalry, Elite focuses on relationships built on secrets and strong emotions, where characters keep their true feelings hidden for various reasons. These characters frequently grapple with social pressures and expectations, often while dealing with complex romantic entanglements.

3. Spinning Out

1 Season

Released in 2020 for one season, Spinning Out is a drama that takes viewers inside the competitive world of figure skating, following Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario). The show explores the challenges Kat faces as she balances the demands of the sport with her mental health, relationships, and family issues, highlighting how intense athletic pressure can affect all aspects of life.

Like Heated Rivalry, this show centers around competitive sports. However, Spinning Out often explores the world of athletics in greater depth. Both series effectively capture the emotional pressures athletes face, both during competition and in their personal lives.

2. Heartstopper

3 Seasons

Image by Simone Ashmoore

Since 2022, Netflix’s Heartstopper has captured audiences with its charming story of first love and self-discovery. The show follows two teenage boys as they navigate romance, identity, and acceptance in high school. Heartstopper is known for being a feel-good series that celebrates queer love and allows its characters to grow and be emotionally open, though it also tackles some serious issues.

Although Heartstopper is generally more lighthearted than Heated Rivalry, the two shows share many common themes. Both series explore characters learning to accept themselves and discover who they are, a journey that’s central to the story of Heated Rivalry.

1. Young Royals

3 Seasons

MovieStillsDB

Netflix’s Young Royals is a Swedish teen drama that’s full of exciting twists and turns. It follows a young prince as he deals with the challenges of school, social life, and a hidden love affair. Although it’s a bit more lighthearted than Heated Rivalry, the show cleverly uses the prince’s royal status to create a sense of mystery and explores the conflict between his public duties and private life.

The growing relationship between Prince Wilhelm and Simon Eriksson adds elements of hidden feelings and social differences to Young Royals, creating the same kind of suspense that viewers loved in Heated Rivalry.

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2025-12-06 16:19