Heated Rivalry Almost Didn’t Get Made: Creator Says Its Explicit Content Nearly Killed the Show

Heated Rivalry went from probably-too-spicy-to-make to one of winter TV's most talked-about shows. And yep, it's already locked a Season 2. The surprising part? Creator Jacob Tierney almost walked away because he figured nobody would greenlight this much steam.

What the show is

Based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers novels, the series follows two rival hockey superstars at the peak of their careers who catch feelings. It upends their professional lives and the sport's expectations in ways that are equal parts messy and romantic. The show does not shy away from passion — there are some very frank sex scenes — but if you've watched adult TV in the last decade, it's hardly uncharted territory.

The pitch he almost didn't make

On Canada's eTalk, Tierney said he loved Reid's books but initially didn't think you could adapt them for TV because of, in his words, the smut. Then he watched the books catch on beyond their niche and had a change of heart — and a bout of professional FOMO.

"I had a moment where the book was becoming more mainstream, and I read an article about it in a big newspaper and I thought, 'Oh my God, if somebody else gets to make this, I think I'll be very upset.' I followed Rachel on Instagram and she followed me back, and I literally slid into her DMs, and the rest is history."

Translation: saw the wave, decided to surf it, and a DM kicked off the adaptation.

Season 2 is already a go

The renewal came early, with Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady leaning into the momentum in a joint statement.

"Watching our show become an international phenomenon has been extraordinary. We're profoundly grateful to everyone that has been on this journey with us. Being renewed for a second season so early is a true honor, and we can't wait to bring you even more of what you love."

PR flourish aside, an early pickup is a good sign the audience is showing up.

About the heat vs. the heart

A lot of chatter has zeroed in on the sex, but critics who are actually engaging with the story keep pointing out that the relationship drives the show. Alex Maidy at JoBlo praised it for leaning into a same-sex romance without turning into a lecture, spending real time building both leads so viewers care about them beyond the hook. He also argued it could reach a wider crowd than many recent queer-focused series because it treats the obstacles in their way as part of a universal love story. And, in a very Canadian twist, it's all framed through hockey — which weirdly makes it more accessible, not less.