Viral Hockey Romance Novel Gets TV Adaptation: Meet the ‘Heated Rivalry’ Cast—Plus Season 2 News!
We spoke to the book's publisher to find out what’s next for TV’s buzziest romance
Seeing your favorite novel come to life on screen is nothing short of exhilarating. But for avid romance readers, book-to-screen adaptations often bring up concerns—and questions. Will they change the plot? Can they capture the unique magic between the characters? Will watching it feel like reading the story? Well, fans of author Rachel Reid’s 2018 Game Changers book series are receiving the rare and ultimate treat: Heated Rivalry, the hit new TV show based on Reid’s 2018 hockey romance series, is just as good as the books.
“Rachel collaborated closely with production to bring this to life on-screen and stay true to the heart of the story—and the result has been exceptional,” Brent Lewis, EVP & Publisher of Harlequin Brand Group, tells Woman’s World. “One of the most exciting parts for us is watching longtime readers experience the joy of seeing their favorite characters and iconic moments translated to screen. The enthusiasm we see online after each episode—with fans celebrating scenes they’ve been waiting for—has been incredibly rewarding and speaks to how thoughtfully the adaptation honors the spirit of the book.”
Whether you’re already a ravenous fan of the captivating queer series or want to learn more about it, you’re in the right place! Here, we gathered up everything to know about the breakout show—from the Heated Rivalry cast to the potential second season and more!
But first, what’s the ‘Heated Rivalry’ book about?
Enemies-to-lovers angst and competitive drama take center stage in Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry. The story follows talented hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. As the captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, Shane lets absolutely nothing get in the way of his game plan—not even his infuriatingly handsome rival, Ilya Rozanov. Ilya is the captain of the Boston Bears and he’s the opposite of Shane in almost every way. Ilya is cocky and Shane is a perfectionist. In fact, even the public thinks they’re sworn enemies. So then why can’t they stop thinking about each other? As sparks fly, Ilya and Shane are torn between their public images and their private feelings.
Originally published in 2018, Reid announced that Heated Rivalry hit the New York Times bestseller list for the first time this week. “Holy smokes, guys! Never in a million years did I ever think I’d be on this list,” she shared on Instagram. “Thank you, everyone!”
All about Season 1: Plot, producers and weekly release
Heated Rivalry is doing a “waterfall” release—which is one episode a week—and fans both love and loathe this format. It builds interest and tension (much like the weekly releases of long-running shows and sitcoms in the past)—and gives everyone the week to watch, rewatch and discuss every episode detail online with the voracious fandom. New episodes of the six-episode season will debut weekly leading up to the finale on Friday, December 26.
The plot very closely mirrors Reid’s book and the show’s logline describes the plot of Season 1 as chronicling “the story of rival hockey players Shane and Ilya. Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) are two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two fresh-faced rookies evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial and self-discovery. Over the next eight years, the pair chase glory on the ice while struggling to navigate their feelings off it. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there is room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile and as powerful as real love.”
And the series is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave.
‘Heated Rivalry’ publisher reacts to viral success
Earlier this week, Woman’s World caught up with Brent Lewis, EVP & Publisher of Harlequin Brand Group—the book is published by Carina Press, an imprint of Harlequin. We asked about the publisher’s feelings on the book’s recent viral success and it seems they’re all just as smitten as the fans. “We are absolutely thrilled to see the series land on the bestseller lists alongside the show’s incredible viral momentum,” says Lewis. “The Game Changers series has long had a passionate, devoted fanbase, and it’s been remarkable to watch the TV adaptation introduce more readers to the series. We’re grateful for the outpouring of enthusiasm and excited to welcome so many new fans into this story we’ve been proud to champion for years.”
There are a slew of reasons the show is gaining global momentum, but ultimately an adaptation’s success usually comes down to the characters and the chemistry. (We’ve seen this in other book-to-screen hits like Maxton Hall, Heartstopper and The Summer I Turned Pretty.) “The fans have embraced Heated Rivalry because of the characters Rachel created,” says Lewis.
“They are unforgettable and full of emotion, allowing both readers and viewers to instantly connect with them. The story thrives in the high-stakes, pressure-packed world of professional sports that Rachel has built. At its heart, Heated Rivalry is a powerful story of queer love and connection, and everyone is deeply invested in watching these players navigate what that means within the world of professional hockey.”
‘Heated Rivalry’ cast: Meet Shane and Ilya (Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie) and more
Caution: Mild spoilers below!
Hudson Wiliams as Shane Hollander
Hudson Williams, 24, is a Canadian actor. In 2020, he graduated with a degree in acting from the Film Arts program at Langara College.
Williams plays young hockey star Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry. Shane’s a talented hockey player, who is navigating a fiery rivalry—and connection—with hockey star Ilya Rozanov. Williams has also appeared in a holiday TV movie, All I Need for Christmas and an episode of Tracker.
Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov
Connor Storrie, 25, is an American actor and model. He’s been acting since 2018 and has appeared in the 2024 SC film Joker: Folie à Deux.
In Heated Rivalry, Storrie plays the arrogant yet charming Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov. For his part, Storrie studied Russian to perfect his accent.
François Arnaud as Scott Hunter
You might have seen François Arnaud, 40, on your screen before! The Canadian actor has appeared in beloved shows like Yellowjackets, Schitt’s Creek and The Borgias. In Heated Rivalry, he plays the New York Admirals’ team captain Scott Hunter. In Episode 3, Scott starts a relationship with Kip Brady.
Robbie G.K. as Kip Brady
Meet Robbie Graham-Kuntz! The Canadian actor, 29, has appeared in shows like Utopia Falls, Overcompensating and The Next Step. In Heated Rivalry, he portrays barista Kip Brady. In Episode 3, Kip makes Scott a smoothie and they both feel a mutual spark.
Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Heated Rivalry’?
With thousands of daily fan-made videos and pages upon pages of passionate discussion online, it’s clear the fandom is dreaming of another season—and they’re likely to get it. But right now, no official announcement has been made. “We can’t comment on a second season—that sits with production and their network partners, but we’re certainly cheering alongside fans who are eager for more,” says Lewis. “What we can say is we’re delighted by the enthusiasm surrounding both the show and the book series. It’s been wonderful to see the outpouring of support and should there be any updates to share in the future, we’ll be excited to pass them along to readers and viewers alike.”
When and where to watch ‘Heated Rivalry’
Ready to watch the show everyone is talking about? New episodes of Heated Rivalry premiere every Friday, with the six-episode season building to its dramatic finale on Friday, December 26. If you’re in Canada, you can stream Heated Rivalry exclusively on Crave. In the U.S., episodes are available to stream on HBO Max each week as they’re released.
So whether you want to catch up from the very beginning or join the fandom in real time, mark your calendars and don’t miss a minute of TV’s steamiest romance!
To order your copy of Rachel Reid’s book, click here. And to stream Heated Rivalry now, visit Crave (Canada) or HBO Max here.
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