***** [Five Stars]
TELL TALE TV
***** [Five Stars]
NEXUS POINT NEWS
**** [Four Stars]
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
**** [Four Stars]
THE AGE
8.6 / 10 Audience Rating
IMDB
88% Audience Score.
ROTTEN TOMATOES
"It has remained in HBO Max’s Top 10 shows, racked up millions of interactions and mentions on social media, and driven such high demand for the book that physical copies are out of stock on Amazon."
ROLLING STONE
"Their [Williams and Storrie] dynamic is compelling... they share a chemistry so intense it rivals Bogart & Bacall."
ROGEREBERT.COM
"Masterpiece series."
METRO
"One to watch."
THE NEW YORK TIMES
"People’s latest TV obsession... one of the most popular shows on HBO Max... a word-of-mouth sensation."
ROLLING STONE
"Revolutionary... one of this year’s most enjoyable."
ROGEREBERT.COM
"This adaptation is amazing... does an exemplary job."
THE REVIEW GEEK
"I don’t like ice hockey or romance, but this very steamy gay sports drama is great fun."
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
"Heated Rivalry is great fun... there’s genuine chemistry between the leads."
THE AGE
"Not only one of the most entertaining shows of the year, but also one of its most significant."
ROGEREBERT.COM
"The sexiest TV show of the year."
BUZZFEED
"The dedication of its actors allows it to triumph over its source material."
ROGEREBERT.COM
"Move over, Bridgerton. The award for the hottest, steamiest, most-talked-about romance on TV goes to Heated Rivalry."
USA TODAY ENTERTAINMENT
"The sexiest and most significant queer show of the year... stands out in a wasteland of recent queer television."
ROGEREBERT.COM
"The chemistry between the two lead actors - Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams - is absolutely electric."
BUZZFEED
"Heated Rivalry is the most talked about show on TV right now"
CAPITAL FM
"People are already calling the Canadian drama the best book-to-series adaptation [they've] ever seen."
METRO
"Became the internet’s favourite show before it even aired."
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Heated Rivalry isn’t just setting the sport of hockey on fire, but also the internet."
RADIO TIMES
"It seems to be all anyone can talk about."
KOTAKU
"It’s already become one of my very favourite shows on TV... truly a great show."
OMNIVOROUS
"The performance of Francois Arnaud as Scott Hunter is so nuanced and layered."
TELL TALE TV
"A sincere, steamy love story for grown-ups."
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Heated Rivalry debuted at No. 2 following it's Australian premiere."
SCREEN RANT
"He [Williams] and Storrie have ample chemistry."
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"I’m obsessed with Heated Rivalry... it is actually captivating."
THE CUT
"Succeeds because of the strength of the central performances, and we are really beyond fortunate to have Williams and Storrie."
OMNIVOROUS
"The show has received rave reviews for its chemistry between the leads and its emotional storytelling... as for fans, they have nothing but praise for the show."
METRO
"It’s about a yearning for intimacy, a desire to connect with someone who truly understands you, who finds their soul’s echo in yours."
OMNIVOROUS
"Tierney’s direction and the overall production score one of those Canadian miracles of making a show on a budget that doesn’t look like it."
GLOBE AND MAIL
"Strong central performances... Storrie is superb as the swaggering tough guy."
GLOBE AND MAIL
"The queer Canadian hockey drama packs heart and heat, setting it apart from other MLM adaptations."
XTRA MAGAZINE
"This easily could have been a corny disaster... the difference here is that we’re not headed for the tragic gay ending we’ve become gruesomely conditioned to seeing in media."
THE CUT
"[The Hockey] places both characters in a setting that's been historically plagued by toxic masculinity, which adds texture and culturally relevant, oppressive stakes to Ilya and Shane's love story."
COSMOPOLITAN
"Shane Hollander and Iyla Rozanov's connection is one for the ages."
COSMOPOLITAN
"Gay ice hockey drama [is] breaking the rules."
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
"Instantly surges on streaming... surging past other popular HBO series."
SCREEN RANT
"Definitely recommended... carefully crafted tale of romance, ambition, and self-discovery."
COLLIDER
"Fans [are demanding] second season of 'perfect' 6-part drama."
HELLO! MAGAZINE
"Heated Rivalry' breaks the internet."
OUT
"Two well-chosen actors in two well-written roles... Storrie and Williams more than deliver.... their dynamic is compelling, largely because of the instant spark between the actors."
COLLIDER
"Viewers [are] glued to the captivating story of two rival players who develop a secret romance that threatens their careers and lives."
RED 94
"The fact that Heated Rivalry was still able to make an impact the same week that the first installment of the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things dropped is a huge accomplishment."
LAINEY GOSSIP
"Heated Rivalry exploded on social media... [fans are] watching all the interviews that the show’s stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, have done from Toronto, they’re making fan edits, they’re all over BookTok obsessing over every kiss, every scene that matches Rachel Reid’s novel from where the series is adapted, and now, Heated Rivalry is mega-viral."
LAINEY GOSSIP
"This is truly the best book to show adaptation ever created."
TELL TALE TV
"One of the hottest TV shows of 2025 and the internet’s latest obsession,"
HOLLYWOOD LIFE
"We have two actors who put their all into the depiction of these beloved characters."
TELL TALE TV
"Critics are buzzing about Heated Rivalry!"
JUST JARED
"Seriously, it’s SO good... Heated Rivalry is blowing up."
LAINEY GOSSIP
"The 2-episode series premiere shines... am-packed with plenty of emotionally gripping character moments that will have you rooting for these hockey rookies."
IN BETWEEN DRAFTS
"It’s a good story to tell, and it’s being told with care, respect, and a lot of chemistry. You don’t need to be a fan of the books to enjoy this one."
FANGIRLISH
"Gay hockey drama [is] breaking the rules."
THE AGE
"A perfect adaptation, a great show."
FANGIRLISH
"Yes, this is a tale about two men in the closet. But it is also a story about self-discovery and finding love in places you might not expect."
FANGIRLISH
"Heated Rivalry spawned countless TikTok fan edits and online think pieces even before the LGBTQ romance hit the screens."
ROLLING STONE
"The fans are really into it — and the show hasn’t even officially aired yet.
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Heated Rivalry’s arguably perfect casting of its two leads in Williams’ Shane and Storrie’s Ilya. The pair’s chemistry is palpable."
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Want to know what's going to be big in TV in 2026? Look for these shows."
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
"There are several reasons why Heated Rivalry will be one of the most talked-about dramas launching at MIPCOM Cannes."
DEADLINE