‘Heated Rivalry’ Can Finally Dethrone ‘Ted Lasso’ as the Best TV Sports Series

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Everyone’s buzzing about Heated Rivalry, the TV adaptation of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels. It premiered on Crave and HBO Max on November 28, 2025, and quickly became a hit. The first season centers on Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie, and Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams – two incredibly skilled hockey players who find themselves falling for each other.

Look, there’s a lot of TV out there dealing with relationships, but Heated Rivalry really stood out to me. It wasn’t just about the intimacy, it dug into some genuinely emotional stuff with characters who felt so real and relatable – you could really feel their longing. And honestly, with so much good TV already this year, and Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 coming up, the fact that everyone’s still buzzing about Ilya and Shane’s story is huge. Thankfully, it’s been renewed for a second season, so when the season one finale, Episode 6, drops on December 26th, 2026, we know we’ll get to see more of them!

‘Heated Rivalry’ Is the Best Sports TV Drama in a Long Time


Crave/Warner Bros.

The intense competition between Ilya and Shane, the captains of the Boston Raiders and Montreal Metros, hides a surprising connection. From their initial, somewhat awkward meeting – where Shane encounters Ilya’s typical overconfidence – to a moment of quiet understanding in Episode 4, both characters struggle with loneliness, revealing the difficult truth about pursuing ambitious goals.

Heated Rivalry realistically portrays the challenges of professional hockey, showing how demanding and stressful the sport can be. The film follows Ilya and Shane as they navigate intense training, endorsement deals (like Shane being required to wear only Reeboks), and repetitive media appearances. Like all great sports stories, Heated Rivalry highlights the determination, effort, and unwavering belief needed to pursue a dream, offering a compelling look at two young athletes striving for success.

Ilya and Shane both grapple with the consequences of growing fame and fortune. Ilya sends money back to Russia to support his brother, Alexei, who is caring for their difficult father who has dementia. Meanwhile, Shane tries to remain grounded as his popularity increases, prioritizing the competition itself over the celebrity lifestyle.

The show’s popularity stems from its relatable themes of love, family, and pursuing your dreams. At its heart, it’s a deeply emotional love story between Ilya and Shane, who struggle to be open about their feelings. For years, they keep their connection secret from their colleagues and the public. Over the course of their long relationship, the series sensitively portrays their journeys of self-discovery and provides valuable LGBTQ+ representation on television.

You constantly root for Ilya and Shane to open up and share their true feelings, whether it’s during a tender moment on a Florida beach in 2017 or as they drift off to sleep together for the first time. While all the episodes are great, many fans consider Episode 5, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” to be the most impactful. This episode features two key scenes: Ilya tells Shane he loves him over the phone (in Russian), and hockey player Scott Hunter publicly comes out by kissing Kip Grady. When Ilya commits to visiting Shane’s cottage, he’s incredibly vulnerable, and the two feel a sense of strength. The show feels authentic, acknowledging their ongoing fears and anxieties while handling their emotions with sensitivity and care.

There have been other shows featuring LGBTQ+ relationships, such as HBO’s Looking, which ran from 2014 to 2016. What makes this story unique is its focus on the world of hockey. Ilya and Shane struggle with the fear of how being open about their relationship might affect their careers and what others will think – and it’s heartbreaking to watch them worry. They have a deeply personal conversation about their sexuality, which is a key part of their individual growth.

Each year brings good book-to-TV adaptations, and right now, fans of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series – and new viewers alike – are captivated by Heated Rivalry. One of the things people are enjoying is how prominently the show features its intimate scenes. Importantly, the characters Ilya and Shane aren’t relegated to minor roles; they’re central to the story.

Why ‘Heated Rivalry’ Is Better Than ‘Ted Lasso’


Crave/Warner Bros.

From 2006 to 2011, Friday Night Lights was highly praised for its realistic portrayal of high school sports, personal drive, family life, and the challenges faced by young people. Given its popularity, a reboot of the show, known as FNL, seemed logical, particularly because it appealed to viewers even if they weren’t big sports enthusiasts. However, in August 2020, Ted Lasso debuted on Apple TV and quickly surpassed FNL as the most popular sports drama.

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While both shows are enjoyable, Heated Rivalry is significantly stronger, especially when compared to Ted Lasso. Ted Lasso, starring Jason Sudeikis, is often described as a lighthearted comedy filled with positive characters and storylines. Though it’s nice to watch something feel-good and uplifting, it leaves you wondering if the show tackles any meaningful themes or realistically portrays the world of professional sports.

Many comedies are heartwarming and enjoyable, from beloved ’90s shows like Friends to newer series such as Modern Family and Abbott Elementary. But when it comes to sports comedies or dramas, they really need to commit to the emotional core of the genre – and Heated Rivalry does just that. While people are eagerly awaiting the next season of Ted Lasso, it’s hard to picture it having the same emotional impact as Heated Rivalry, especially Episode 5, which is incredibly moving. The series beautifully portrays Ilya’s sadness after his father’s death, the pressure Shane feels to succeed, and both of their desires to be true to themselves while pursuing their passion. It’s a wonderful show, and hopefully, the characters will find happiness in the season finale and beyond.

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2025-12-25 05:04