Asyia Iftikhar
Published December 2, 2025 1:57pm
Updated December 2, 2025 1:57pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next PageBritish 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.
Heated Rivalry is everyone’s next obsession (Picture: HBO)
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.
It’s being praised for its steamy romance (Picture: Sabrina Lantos)
‘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.
Sadly, UK viewers can’t watch it quite yet (Picture: HBO / Sabrina Lantos)
‘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.
No UK heated rivalry release? pic.twitter.com/7nfCheiAQ4
— Victoria Chadwick (@Mahfreddie) November 19, 2025
Watching the tl talking about heated rivalry drop when you live in the UK pic.twitter.com/B7o5BPl8wh
— Emily-Jane❤️ (@EEEmmmyyyy333) November 27, 2025
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.
More Trending
-
Netflix fans are freaking out about Friends being removed from streaming platform
Channel: TV TV 1 hour ago By Robert Oliver - Who has left I'm A Celebrity 2025 and who is still in the jungle?
- Vogue Williams brands Kelly Brook 'desperate' after shock I'm A Celebrity elimination
- New Strictly favourite 'tipped to win 2025 series' after tear-jerking week
‘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.
Deals of the Day
Score massive Cyber Monday deals at Hughes Electrical on tech and home appliances
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.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Arrow MORE: Netflix kicks off December quietly dropping all episodes of ‘absorbing’ horror thriller
Arrow MORE: Netflix fans are freaking out about Friends being removed from streaming platform
Arrow MORE: Star Wars actor quits spin-off series after Disney ‘couldn’t support her as single mother’
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source TV NewsletterSign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.
Show Expand Options ? Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy