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British TV fans are completely devastated after discovering popular new series Heated Rivalry isn’t streaming over here yet.
The Canadian series, based on Rachel Reid’s book of the same name, is about a steamy romance between two rival hockey players – Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).
As they clash in the game, their forbidden romance is challenged off the ice as well, ultimately putting their careers and budding love at risk.
It’s got the high-stakes drama, it’s got the gripping love story, and it’s got the world completely hooked. After the under-the-radar drama dropped on Crave in Canada, it soon accumulated a fierce following.
The TikTok account alone has secured 135k followers and 4.2 million likes, and that’s only growing.
What is the reaction to Heated Rivalry?
HBO Max picked it up for US and Australian release, and the show peaked at number in the top 10 for the major streamer – showing just how big this initially niche sports romance drama has grown.
This comes alongside rave reviews from fans, landing an 86% critics score and an even more formidable 95% audience score.
‘… Heated Rivalry is definitely recommended for those who love romance stories featuring handsome leads with instant, palpable chemistry,’ Collider wrote in their review.
‘It’s a sincere, steamy love story for grown-ups — less The Cutting Edge and more Challengers…’ The Hollywood Reporter shared.
As for fans, they have nothing but praise for the show.
‘Absolutely fantastic! Their incredible chemistry pulls you in and makes you watch without blinking,’ Ana-Marija S wrote on X.
‘The best book-to-series adaptation I’ve ever seen. The actors did an incredible job bringing the characters’ emotions to life, and the director did an amazing job adapting the script,’ Maria Paz C echoed.
‘I loved this show. Tender, emotional, hot. But also somehow, super sweet,’ Molly R said.
W.W called it a ‘fun, sexy, sixxling romance’ and Lizzy B dubbed it ‘an absolute masterpiece’.
Is Heated Rivalry available to stream in the UK?
Unfortunately, despite the absolute hype over the show, UK viewers have so far been cruelly deprived of accessing it – and they are making it known.
‘Watching the tl go feral over heated rivalry whilst I’m sitting here in the UK without access,’ imstuckinjam said on X.
‘Why they gatekeeping heated rivalry from the UK,’ how__ja wrote.
‘I need UK streaming services to get their act together and give us Heated Rivalry. I’m getting major FOMO,’ Rachy shared.
‘Someone pleeeease tell me where I can watch Heated Rivalry in the UK. I am on my knees begging!’ Beyawance agreed.
‘Trying to act unbothered that I can’t watch heated rivalry in the UK so it comes quicker,’ SwaggeJagge joked.
‘The lack of UK news for Heated Rivalry is so heartbreaking :(‘ Mchl echoed.
‘Seriously how does the UK still not have a streaming service picking up Heated Rivalry,’ Nene asked.
As fans (not so) patiently wait to hear any good news about a potential release date, the creator, Jacob Tierney, told Deadline about the ‘instant’ chemistry between the two leads during the audition.
‘They were essentially cast at the same time. It was very clear to us that we needed to find Shane and Ilya together.
‘This show lives and dies with them, so we needed to make sure that this worked together. There are terrific actors who are in, you know… They’re just in different shows.
‘You need to find the people who are going to be together in the same show, and that’s what the two of them had quite instantly,’ he said.
Heated Rivalry is available to watch in the US, Australia and New Zealand on HBO Max and on Crave in Canada. There is currently no UK release date.
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