‘Heated Rivalry’ show: cast guide, release schedule, and how Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams brought Rachel Reid’s hockey romance to TV

The buzzy new limited series Heated Rivalry has landed with a two-episode premiere and weekly drops through the end of December, translating Rachel Reid’s beloved hockey romance from page to screen. At its core are two rival superstars whose secret relationship spans eight years of wins, losses, and life-defining choices—an emotional arc powered by breakout leads Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams.

What ‘Heated Rivalry’ is about

Set in a high-stakes pro hockey universe, the show follows Canadian phenom Shane Hollander and Russian captain Ilya Rozanov—elite competitors who can’t escape each other on the ice or off it. Their rivalry evolves into a clandestine love story that must survive trades, road trips, family pressures, and the glare of a championship chase. The tone balances locker-room banter, game action, and intimate character work, mirroring the intensity and tenderness that made the novel a fan favorite.

Release schedule: when new episodes drop

The series premiered with two episodes on November 28, 2025, then shifts to a steady cadence of one new episode every Friday through December 26, 2025. New chapters arrive in the early-morning ET window typical of prestige streaming releases. The season is designed as a tight six-episode run, with a finale timed for the holiday stretch; a second season has not been announced.

‘Heated Rivalry’ cast: who plays who

Leads

• Hudson Williams — Shane Hollander
  Ottawa-born captain whose surgical skill and poise make him the face of his franchise. Off the ice, Shane is navigating family expectations and the risks of a love story that defies the spotlight.

• Connor Storrie — Ilya Rozanov
  Moscow-born star and swaggering rival whose edge masks a fiercely protective heart. Ilya’s career decisions—and his secrecy—carry real consequences for both men.

Key ensemble

• François Arnaud — Scott Hunter: veteran locker-room compass and quiet catalyst during the pair’s inflection points.

• Christina Chang — Yuna Hollander: Shane’s mother, anchoring the family storyline with warmth and steel.

• Dylan Walsh — David Hollander: a father wrestling with the costs of excellence in a public arena.

• Sophie Nélisse — role under wraps: a pivotal figure tied to the team’s off-ice narratives.

• Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova — role tied to Ilya’s past: deepening the cross-continental stakes.

• Robbie G.K. and Callan Potter — teammates/confidants: adding texture to the room—and pressure when secrets strain chemistry.

From book to screen: what changed (and what didn’t)

The adaptation keeps the enemies-to-lovers spine and the eight-year time span, while streamlining side plots to fit a six-episode arc. Hockey sequences lean on modern production—fast cuts, on-ice POV, and broadcast-style replay inserts—to convey speed without drowning out character beats. Fans will recognize hallmark moments from the novel—the first spark, the “rules,” the breaking points—reframed to land visually and within a tighter timeline.

Chemistry and character: why the leads work

What’s driving the viral chatter is the lived-in chemistry between Williams and Storrie. Their performances sell both the chirpy rivalry and the quiet, coded intimacy of hotel hallways, team flights, and empty arenas. Crucially, neither portrayal reduces the characters to tropes; each lead gets agency, growth, and enough professional texture to make the stakes feel real when love collides with a contract year.

How to watch and where it’s streaming

Episodes are rolling out weekly on a major U.S. streaming platform, with Canada carrying the show on the original domestic service that commissioned it. Elsewhere, licensed partners are handling regional distribution. Check your platform’s series page for local availability and episode times; schedules can shift by region.

Episode count, runtimes, and content notes

• Episodes: 6 (limited series)

• Runtimes: roughly 43–49 minutes each

• Rating & tone: Mature romance, locker-room language, and stylized game violence; thematically focused on identity, ambition, and the cost of secrecy.

Creators, format, and production

Jacob Tierney serves as creator, writer, and director, steering a single-camera drama that favors close-quarters intimacy over soap. Production leveraged modern stage tech alongside Toronto and Montréal locations to sell both North American arenas and broader world-building on a TV schedule.

Quick FAQ for new viewers

• Is this tied to a larger universe? Yes—Heated Rivalry adapts a novel in the Game Changers series. The show stands alone but nods to the broader world through supporting characters.

• Do you need to know hockey? No. The series explains just enough strategy to ground high-leverage scenes while keeping focus on character.

• Is a Season 2 confirmed? Not at this time. The creative team has expressed interest in continuing if the story and viewership support it.

Why it’s worth your queue

Between the charisma of its leads, a smartly compressed timeline, and a willingness to let quiet scenes breathe, Heated Rivalry feels like a true character drama that just happens to move at NHL speed. Whether you came for the romance, the rivalry, or both, the weekly format is doing its job: every Friday matters—on the ice and in the heart.