The popular series Heated Rivalry has been picked up for a second season, and the original cast is returning. Plus, there’s an extra benefit for fans that many may not realize: the show is now available on HBO Max in the US, expanding its audience beyond its original Canadian broadcast on Bell Media’s Crave.
Despite everything, it’s crucial that Heated Rivalry remains a Crave original. The second season of Heated Rivalry will continue to follow Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) as they navigate their careers in the MLH league, explore their strong feelings for each other, and try to keep their relationship private – and it’s expected to be very popular.
Fortunately, Jacob Tierney, the creator of the popular Canadian show Letterkenny, has a clear vision for the future of this project. He approached season one of Heated Rivalry with a commitment to faithfully and authentically adapting the original material, and fans are already benefiting from his dedication to the series.
Heated Rivalry Season 2 Will Continue To Be Developed Without HBO Max’s Involvement
Bell Media
Even though HBO is now distributing the hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, which is based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, on their streaming service, HBO Max, the show’s production won’t be affected. Heated Rivalry is still being developed and produced by Bell Media for Crave, and HBO Max will only handle distribution going forward, not creative input.
Even though HBO Max features some edgy content, this is great news for Heated Rivalry. The show has quickly become popular thanks to its distinctive style. Instead of adding new creative voices, Heated Rivalry is staying true to what’s working by continuing to trust Tierney’s interpretation of Reid’s material.
Heated Rivalry’s Unique Development Deal Gives Jacob Tierney Creative Control
HBO Max
Throughout the promotion of Heated Rivalry, it’s become apparent that director Tierney has a special relationship with the team at Crave. He’s shared instances where he fought to keep certain scenes in the final cut of Heated Rivalry, or resisted making changes after they were filmed. Tierney’s commitment to his vision for the project meant having creative control was essential.
Everyone is eagerly awaiting the second season of Heated Rivalry, which is expected to premiere in 2027. To ensure the story continues successfully, it’s crucial that creator Tierney maintains his unique creative control. By continuing to work directly with Bell Media and Crave, the show will benefit from Tierney’s consistent vision, rather than introducing new perspectives from another platform.
HBO Max Remaining A Distributor Of Heated Rivalry Is The Right Move
Some viewers have wondered if Heated Rivalry is an original series on HBO Max, but the current distribution agreement is a good fit for the show. By keeping creative changes to a minimum for season 2, the series has the best chance of continuing its success – avoiding potential issues that could arise from adding more creative input.
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2025-12-23 22:18