Here's What The Future Holds For Heated Rivalry Following The Huge Success Of Season 1

Every year there’s a breakout TV hit that takes everyone by storm. 

It can take on darker topics, like Baby Reindeer’s depiction of a stalking ordeal or Adolescence’s commentary on internet radicalisation and toxic masculinity. Or – as is the case with Heated Rivalry – it could take the far less heavy form of steamy ice hockey drama.

The sleeper hit show about – as one review succinctly puts it – “two horny gay rival ice hockey players shagging each other off the rink while fighting for sporting supremacy” has been devoured by fans and become a cultural talking point in the process. 

And after arriving in the UK in the last few days, those who’ve already devoured the show have been left with just one question: What’s next?

Well, here’s what we know so far…

Will there be a series 2 of Heated Rivalry?

Yes, thankfully Canada’s Crave and the US’ HBO confirmed a season two is already in the works back in December. 

In a video posted to Instagram, series leads Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams promised a “hotter, wetter, longer” series second time around, too.

How long do we have to wait for series 2 of Heated Rivalry?

That’s one thing we don’t exactly know yet, but hopefully it won’t be too long.

In an interview with Variety, series creator Jacob Tierney said that while fans want more Heated Rivalry as soon as possible “it can’t be the same time next year”. 

“This time last year I’d written five of these, and this time this year I’ve written zero of them,” he explained. “So it’s going to be a little bit later, but it’s still going to be soon.

Tierney acknowledged that even though no one wants a two-year gap between seasons, he was determined not to rush out a “shitty second season just because the show is very popular”. 

“We’re very aware that our creative partners are enthusiastic and don’t want to wait too long. We’re getting back to work!” he insisted.

What will season 2 of Heated Rivalry be about?

Connor and Hudson (who play Ilya and Shane, respectively) told fans to read the novel The Long Game if they wanted to “spoil” what’s coming up in the next season, so it’s fair to assume series two of Heated Rivalry will stick pretty closely to the Rachel Reid books it’s based on.

For those who can’t wait, the sixth (and final) book in the series, The Long Game, follows Ilya and Shane 10 years into their secret relationship. 

“Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all. It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love. It’s time to make a call,” an official synopsis reads.

Tierney told Variety that while there will still be sex in series two, it may not be quite as raunchy as the first season, and his sole focus is developing Shane and Ilya’s relationship.

“Sex will always be a big part of it, like it is with any romantic relationship. But it’s really about continuing that progress of what happens after that first blush of love, what happens after you decide you’re in love and how do you sustain it?” he explained.

The creator also promised “loads of challenges” whilst watching the pair “become better for each other”.

What have the cast of Heated Rivalry said about season 2?

While most of the cast are keeping tight-lipped, Hudson has teased what we can expect in the next series.

He told Jimmy Fallon: “There are some meanies. There are some big baddies. If season one is an internal battle, season two is more of an external battle.”

Is there any chance of a season 3 of Heated Rivalry?

While there’s currently only a limited selection of books based on Ilya and Shane’s relationship, Hudson confirmed in an interview with GQ that both he and Connor are contracted for three seasons of the show.

Whether that means splitting the events of The Long Game into two seasons, or taking a leaf out of Game Of Thrones’ book by coming up with fresh material remains to be seen…

For now, at least, the first season of Heated Rivalry is currently streaming on Now.