The steamy Canadian drama about a forbidden relationship between rival hockey players making TV fans hot under the collar will soon be available to watch in the UK.
Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid’s book of the same name, is about two opposing hockey players – Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) – who fall in love.
As they clash in the game, their forbidden romance is challenged off the ice as well, ultimately putting their careers and budding love at risk.
It’s got the high-stakes drama, it’s got the gripping love story, and it’s got the world completely hooked. After the under-the-radar drama dropped on Crave in Canada, it soon accumulated a fierce following.
The TikTok account alone has secured 460k followers and 17.9 million likes, and that’s only growing.
Finally, we now know the show is coming the UK in a matter of weeks.
What is the reaction to Heated Rivalry?
HBO Max picked it up for US and Australian release, and the show peaked at number two in the top 10 for the major streamer – showing just how big this initially niche sports romance drama has grown.
This comes alongside rave reviews from fans, landing an 86% critics score and an even more formidable 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘… Heated Rivalry is definitely recommended for those who love romance stories featuring handsome leads with instant, palpable chemistry,’ Collider wrote in their review.
‘It’s a sincere, steamy love story for grown-ups — less The Cutting Edge and more Challengers…’ The Hollywood Reporter shared.
As for fans, they have nothing but praise for the show.
‘Absolutely fantastic! Their incredible chemistry pulls you in and makes you watch without blinking,’ Ana-Marija S wrote on X.
‘The best book-to-series adaptation I’ve ever seen. The actors did an incredible job bringing the characters’ emotions to life, and the director did an amazing job adapting the script,’ Maria Paz C echoed.
‘I loved this show. Tender, emotional, hot. But also somehow, super sweet,’ Molly R said.
W.W called it a ‘fun, sexy, sixxling romance’ and Lizzy B dubbed it ‘an absolute masterpiece’.
When will Heated Rivalry be available to stream in the UK?
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It’s now been announced that Heated Rivalry is coming to Sky and streaming service NOW on January 10.
Deadline earlier confirmed a deal for UK distribution was imminent, with several buyers vying to land the buzzy series which has already been renewed for a second season.
There’s been a long build-up to the announcement around when and where fans can watch it.
Are you hot or cold for Heated Rivalry?
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Hot - I can't wait!
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Cold - not for me
‘Watching the tl go feral over heated rivalry whilst I’m sitting here in the UK without access,’ imstuckinjam said on X.
‘Why they gatekeeping heated rivalry from the UK,’ how__ja wrote.
‘I need UK streaming services to get their act together and give us Heated Rivalry. I’m getting major FOMO,’ Rachy shared.
‘Someone pleeeease tell me where I can watch Heated Rivalry in the UK. I am on my knees begging!’ Beyawance agreed.
The creator, Jacob Tierney, told Deadline about the ‘instant’ chemistry between the two leads during the audition.
‘They were essentially cast at the same time. It was very clear to us that we needed to find Shane and Ilya together.
‘This show lives and dies with them, so we needed to make sure that this worked together. There are terrific actors who are in, you know… They’re just in different shows.
‘You need to find the people who are going to be together in the same show, and that’s what the two of them had quite instantly,’ he said.
Heated Rivalry will be coming to Sky and NOW on January 10. It is available to watch in the US, Australia and New Zealand on HBO Max and on Crave in Canada.
A version of this article was published on December 2, 2025.
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