Leading UK-based distributor Sphere Abacus (SA), a Bell Media company, has secured theatrical screenings of the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Crave Original series Heated Rivalry in cinemas across the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The limited theatrical engagement with all episodes of the first season of Heated Rivalry will be shown in special marathon screenings on select dates. As part of a worldwide celebration of the one-year anniversary of Heated Rivalry, from 6th November locations include over 275 Regal Cinemas, with Regal leading distribution to over 650 theatres in the USA, including AMC and Cinemark, Cineplex Cinemas in Canada, and Cineworld and Picturehouse Cinemas in the UK. Madman has acquired the series for theatrical and home video release in Australia and New Zealand with theatrical launch from 5th December.
Hana Palmer, Executive Director, Global Distribution and Partnerships, Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media Company comments, “Heated Rivalry is a global phenomenon creating a rush of social media and press activity wherever it lands. We’re very excited to give audiences the opportunity to watch the drama unfold on big screens in North America, the UK, Australia & New Zealand."
Created by award-winning writer-director-producer Jacob Tierney, and based on the best-selling book series ‘Game Changers’ by Rachel Reid, the six-episode, one-hour romantic drama tells the story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Wiliams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Heated Rivalry is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment.
Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two fresh-faced rookies evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. Over the next eight years, the pair chase glory on the ice while struggling to navigate their feelings off it. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there is room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile and as powerful as real love.
Earlier this year the highly successful series dominated the Canadian Screen Awards and set a new all-time award record with 16 wins including top prizes – Best Drama Series, Best Lead Performer for Hudson Williams, Best Directing for a Drama Series, and Best Writing for a Drama Series. Heated Rivalry is Crave’s number one series debut on record, with Season 1 also achieving the #1 spot on HBO Max in the USA and Australia, Sky and NOW in the UK and NEON (Sky New Zealand). Season 2 is due to premiere on Crave, HBO Max USA and Australia, Sky and NOW in the UK and NEON (Sky New Zealand) in 2027.
Also starring in Heated Rivalry Season 1 is an ensemble cast that includes François Arnaud as Scott Hunter, Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady, Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Yuna and David Hollander, Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana.
Heated Rivalry is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund (CMF), and the Bell Fund. Jacob Tierney is writer, director, producer, and executive producer. Brendan Brady is producer and executive producer. On season 1, Lori Fischburg served as producer, and Rachel Reid is consulting producer. For Bell Media, Adam Feigen is Development Executive, Scripted Original Programming; Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development; Melissa Williamson is Senior Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; Li Yeh is Director, Strategic Planning; Brian Blazik is Head of Bell Media Sales, Sphere Abacus; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.
The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, and is available in more than 130 countries around the world.
