Heated Rivalry: The Unexpected Hit Transforming TV in Canada

Mon Feb 09 2026 00:49:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Despite its modest budget and unknown cast, the series Heated Rivalry has captured global attention, redefining success in the streaming world with its compelling story of love among rival hockey players.

Heated Rivalry has emerged as a surprising hit since its debut, capturing a massive following with its unconventional storytelling and unorthodox casting choices. Adapted from Rachel Reid's novel, the show's lead actors went from working as waiters to becoming celebrities, with the program breaking records and reshaping the typical landscape of streaming shows by prioritizing unknown talent over established stars. The show's success, coupled with its strong fan engagement, signals a potential shift in the television industry.

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 wracked 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.

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

Working alongside her co-casting director, Jenny Lewis tells the BBC they had just three months to find their stars, contending with a very detailed checklist. The show's producer Jacob Tierney aimed for an incredibly faithful adaptation of Reid's novel, which attracted a passionate fandom.

The series’ success challenges the trend of blockbuster productions dominated by high-profile actors, as its creators emphasize the value of unrecognizable talent. Lewis and Kay assert, We don't care how many Instagram followers someone has... We're just looking for the best actors. This refreshing approach may be setting a new precedent in the industry.