'Heated Rivalry' Creator Jacob Tierney Promises Swift Season 2 Return for Gay Hockey Romance

Heated Rivalry concluded its first season on December 26, 2025, with the episode "The Cottage," where protagonists Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov retreat to a private cottage, deepening their emotional and romantic bond amid intense hockey pressures. The series, which premiered in late November 2025 after multiple advancements from an original early 2026 slot, quickly topped charts as the No. 1 show on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the U.S., driven by its authentic portrayal of queer love in professional sports.

This rapid success led to an early renewal for season 2, announced publicly on December 12, 2025, though production teams knew of the greenlight much earlier based on strong viewership of the first two episodes. Tierney revealed he informed Storrie about the renewal during the season 1 premiere event, though the actor remained cautious until official confirmation. For LGBTQ+ audiences, this renewal stands out amid frequent cancellations of queer-led shows after one season, signaling growing support for inclusive storytelling in mainstream streaming.

Fans expressed worries online about a potential two-year wait, mirroring delays in other series, but Tierney directly addressed this in interviews. "It’s not gonna be two years. It’s not even gonna be 18 months, I don’t think. So we’re gonna go as fast as we can, while ensuring that we’re doing as good a job as we possibly can," he told Entertainment Weekly. He emphasized the challenges of solo writing and directing: "There’s only so fast a track to go down when the show is written and directed by one person. I haven’t started writing yet. I’m going to."

In a Variety interview published December 22, 2025, Tierney clarified it cannot premiere "same time next year," noting he had written five episodes this time last year but zero now, yet promised it would still arrive "soon," potentially early 2027 given season 1's accelerated schedule. Bell Media VP Justin Stockman highlighted the original early 2026 plan being moved up, suggesting flexibility could benefit season 2. HBO executives, per The Ankler, affirmed they won't interfere creatively, focusing on long-term vision with producer Brendan Brady.

Season 2 adapts Rachel Reid's The Long Game, the second book in the Game Changers series, shifting Shane and Ilya to professional leagues where their relationship faces real-world tests. Storrie expressed enthusiasm: "We’re in the real leagues now, and it’s cool to watch these people that have been in this heightened reality for so long. The other shoe drops that deepens the love, but that also tests some of their personal limits." The season may expand on side stories, like Scott Hunter and Kip Grady from season 1, while teasing other characters from Reid's universe.

Tierney confirmed Kyle's presence but stayed vague on his arc with Eric, preserving surprises. Discussions hint at spinoffs, with Stockman noting talks on extending beyond Shane and Ilya, possibly as separate series. This approach celebrates diverse LGBTQ+ relationships within hockey culture, a space historically challenging for queer athletes, as echoed by trans former player Harrison Browne's reflections on the show.

Heated Rivalry's success underscores demand for affirming stories about gay men in hyper-masculine sports, fostering discussions on love, rivalry, and identity. By prioritizing quality over speed, Tierney ensures season 2 maintains the nuanced depiction of transgender and queer experiences indirectly through its universe, while centering cisgender gay leads. Fans and critics alike praise its role in elevating LGBTQ+ content, with early metrics proving viability against cancellation trends. As production ramps up, the series positions itself as a cornerstone for inclusive sports dramas.