HBO Max's Latest Popular Show is a Must-See Hockey Romance Series with an Erotic Twist

In todays streaming landscape, executives are constantly searching for content that will captivate viewers. The current trend shows that series connected to already popular intellectual property perform exceptionally well. HBO Max has enjoyed success with Stephen Kings prequel It: Welcome to Derry, as well as award-winning adaptations like The Last of Us and anything tied to George R.R. Martins Game of Thrones.

However, HBO Maxs newest hit is not an original production. Instead, it acquired U.S. streaming rights from the Canadian platform Crave, the team behind hits such as Letterkenny and Shoresy. The latest sensation, Heated Rivalry, is adapted from Rachel Reids wildly popular queer hockey romance novels, known for their explicit content and passionate storylines.

Fans on social media are already buzzing over the first two episodes, while BookTok enthusiasts have adored the characters for years. The series follows eight years of secret encounters between Canadian star Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose competitive tension on the ice transforms into a hidden, intense romance off it. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, maintaining the steamy essence of the original novels.

Jacob Tierney, who scripted Heated Rivalry, shared that he and executive producer Brendan Brady explored multiple studios and financiers but rejected offers that would have altered the storys tone. Unlike other queer adaptations like Heartstopper, this series targets adults, with explicit scenes that are integral to character development. Tierney explained, Sex is character development; its not just a random scene. The characters learn about each other and themselves through it.

The series also takes a bold stance on masculinity in professional sports. Using the fictional Major League Hockey (MLH), the story highlights a relationship kept secret in a league with no openly gay players. Hollander and Rozanovs clandestine romance critiques homophobia in the sport while celebrating queer desire.

Brady emphasized the fan-driven appeal, noting that the dedicated audience of the books would propel the show to wider recognition. Only two episodes in, Heated Rivalry has already become one of HBO Maxs most-watched series. The storys time-jumping structure allows entire hockey seasons to pass as the characters exchange flirtatious and provocative messages on the road, making the sport a backdrop for seduction and intimacy.

The series has been trending nonstop on social media, captivating audiences with its mix of humor, romance, and sexual tension. Its success underscores the strong demand for content resonating with LGBTQIA+ viewers and women, proving that well-crafted queer narratives can thrive in mainstream media.

Heated Rivalry streams on Crave and HBO Max, with new episodes available every Friday at 3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT.

Author: Sophia Brooks