Sky Atlantic's latest drama, Heated Rivalry, has sparked conversation for its explicit portrayal of a secret relationship between two male ice hockey stars. Based on Rachel Reid's 'Game Changers' novels, the series features Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams as bitter on-ice rivals drawn into a passionate, clandestine affair.
A Plot Packed with Passion but Lacking Depth
The story follows Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), a golden boy managed by his mother, and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), a product of the harsh Soviet system. Their rivalry on the rink combusts into an intense physical connection off it, playing out in a succession of luxury hotel rooms and designer homes.
The show, which first aired last year, gained a significant word-of-mouth following. Director Jacob Tierney noted its 'baked-in' audience of so-called 'wine moms'. However, the relentless focus on their graphically depicted liaisons, choreographed by intimacy coordinator Chala Hunter, becomes monotonous.
Watching people have sex – however perfect their physiques – is undeniably tedious, the review notes. The minimal banter between scenes, often reduced to exchanges of 'You're boring' and 'You're an asshole', does little to bolster emotional investment in the central pairing.
A Saving Grace in a Secondary Storyline
Just as the repetitive nature of the main plot threatens to overwhelm, the series introduces a compelling secondary narrative. Episode three shifts focus to Shane's teammate, Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), another closeted player who begins a life-changing relationship with a man named Kip (Robbie GK).
This subplot provides the character development and emotional resonance that the primary storyline initially lacks. It offers viewers a substantive thread to follow while waiting for protagonists Shane and Ilya to evolve beyond their physical obsession.
Does the Drama Eventually Deliver?
The latter half of the series allows for some growth. The relationship between Shane and Ilya deepens from pure lust to incorporate elements of love and genuine intimacy, and their dialogue improves marginally. The question remains whether this payoff justifies the protracted, sex-heavy opening chapters.
The show has been praised for its bold depiction of young men in love and in sexual situations on mainstream television. It has also faced criticism for not portraying these relationships with the gritty realism of works like Russell T Davies's Queer as Folk. Defenders argue this misunderstands the show's place within the romance genre, where fantasy often trumps stark reality.
The core critique, however, suggests that once the novelty of the explicit content wears off, there is only just enough narrative substance to support a truly rewarding story. As copycat dramas inevitably follow, the hope is that future productions will learn from this imbalance, offering actors and audiences a more rounded experience.
Heated Rivalry is available to stream on Now in the UK and on HBO Max in Australia.
