“Heated Rivalry,” Crave. Photo: HBO Max
The highly anticipated adaptation of author Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novel is officially heading stateside.
The romantic drama series, “Heated Rivalry,” originally a production for Canadian streamer Crave, has secured U.S. distribution on HBO Max (now Max), bringing the passionate, slow-burn romance between two rival hockey stars to a massive new audience.
The six-episode season will debut in the U.S. and Australia on Friday, November 28, 2025, with a two-episode premiere. New episodes will subsequently drop every Friday, building anticipation for the finale on December 26, 2025.
Heated Rivalry follows the complex relationship between professional hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and his fierce, long-time rival, Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie). The novel is celebrated for its deep character work, steamy chemistry, and its honest portrayal of navigating a secret queer relationship within the hyper-masculine world of professional sports.
The series release is poised to be a major highlight for queer romance fans, affirming the growing demand for LGBTQ+ stories that center on joy, professional ambition, and deeply rewarding commitment.
WATCH THE TRAILER:
https://youtu.be/lKO26odltss?si=Aykmgd6FLKVJS7SC
