If you’re on social media at all, then you’ve definitely been hearing about Heated Rivalry. The series has achieved rapid, massive success, now sitting as the top-rated non-animated acquired series on HBO Max. While the show is reaching a wide range of viewers, it turns out, star Hudson Williams said the story has been particularly resonating with many real-life athletes.
Williams, who stars as Shane Hollander in the show, appeared on Andy Cohen Live on Jan. 8 to discuss Heated Rivalry’s success. During the interview, Williams revealed that one of the most meaningful parts of the show’s success has been the messages he’s received from closeted queer professional athletes. Williams shared with Cohen that he receives messages frequently and “somewhat anonymously” on social media along the lines of, “I’m a professional player and I’m still in the closet.” Though Heated Rivalry tells the story of hockey players, Williams said that he has received messages from athletes in several sports, including football and basketball.
“They’re reaching out to Rachel [Reid], our author, who will then kind of relay these lovely anonymous emails. And sometimes they’re just reaching out privately through Instagram,” Williams said. Referring to the DMs he received, Williams added, “Those are the [messages] that really just kind of hit you and go, ‘Oh, this is a fun show and it’s celebratory, but also sometimes it’s just hitting people right in the nerve.’”
Heated Rivalry is a (spicy) sports romance centered around hockey rivals Shane (Williams’s character) and Ilya (played by Connor Storrie). While the two play on competing teams — the Montreal Metros and the Boston Raiders — and act like enemies on the ice, they eventually develop a secret relationship.
If this sounds up your alley but you’ve yet to watch the series, you’re in luck — there’s plenty more Heated Rivalry content to come. The show has already been renewed for two more seasons. While we don’t know exactly when the next season will drop, Williams stated that filming is set to begin sometime this summer. And if you’re looking for more Heated Rivalry fans to nerd out with, you’re not alone. The show has gone mega viral online, and has accumulated a dedicated fanbase (meaning, there are edits galore on TikTok).
But if you just can’t wait for more steamy hockey romance, check out the Heated Rivalry book series that inspired the show. With six novels in the series, the books are sure to tide you over until season two drops. Or, maybe even check out the new Quinn audio Ember & Ice, narrated by Williams and Storrie themselves.