Heated Rivalry: From Unknowns to Stars in a Cult Hit

Mon Feb 09 2026 01:00:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Heated Rivalry, a groundbreaking show based on Rachel Reid's novel, captures an unexpected rise to fame for its unknown stars, redefining representation in the entertainment industry.

Heated Rivalry is a Canadian adaptation of a queer romance novel that centers on the passionate affair between rival ice hockey players. Created on a modest budget, the show has garnered immense popularity, transforming its lead actors into overnight sensations. With a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, the production stands as a new benchmark for inclusive storytelling, challenging traditional casting norms and exploring the depths of queer narratives.

A few months ago Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams were both working as waiters. Now they are the stars of Heated Rivalry, one of the most talked about shows in the world.

Adapted from a novel by Canadian author Rachel Reid, who writes sexually explicit queer romance novels about hockey players, Heated Rivalry chronicles a forbidden love affair between two rival ice hockey players.

The show was not an obvious runaway hit. It was created and produced in Canada on a minimal budget - reportedly less than C$5m ($3.6m; £2.6m) per episode. Its six episodes were filmed in Ontario in just over a month, with a cast led mostly by unknowns.

But since its debut in North America last November, Storrie, who plays Russian player Ilya Rozanov, and Williams, who plays Canadian Shane Hollander, have racked up millions of fans, acted as torchbearers ahead of the Milan winter Olympics and appeared on a host of late night TV shows.

Storrie is set to host Saturday Night Live at the end of this month, while Williams - who reportedly still lives with his mum in Vancouver - recently shared a stage with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at an Ottawa film industry event.

But its explosion into the zeitgeist since its debut last November has propelled its cast - and the people behind the scenes - into the stratosphere. Its penultimate episode has broken records, tying with Breaking Bad for the highest-rated episode ever on entertainment website IMDB. Now streaming globally, the show's runaway success has the potential to reshape the television landscape.

We feel like proud mommas, says Jenny Lewis, one of the casting directors who found Storrie and Williams.

The show has transformed the lives of many involved with its production, including musician Peter Jones, a solo artist who accepted the offer to score Heated Rivalry as a break from his usual work. The composer's ambient, sonic landscape score has been praised highly, describing the reaction as a dopamine kind of rollercoaster.

For author Rachel Reid, the journey has been astonishing as her books have seen a 1,500% global increase in listening since the show's debut. Her original novel became a New York Times bestseller, seven years after its publication.

Many fans of the show hope that its second series retains the magic of the first, with the producers voicing their commitment to focusing on Canadian talent in the casting process.

Ultimately, Heated Rivalry stands out not just for its storytelling but for the refreshing way it approaches casting and representation, setting a new path in the industry.