Producer Teases Possible Bonus Episode of "Heated Rivalry" Ahead of Season 2

Bell Media, the parent company of Crave Canada, is exploring the possibility of producing a standalone bonus episode of the hit LGBTQ+ series Heated Rivalry before the release of its second season. Justin Stockman, vice-president of content development and programming at Bell Media, discussed the idea in a recent interview with the Toronto Star, stating that such an episode has "come up" as a way to deliver content sooner while season 2 production continues.

Stockman explained, "We’re going to see what’s feasible. If can find a way to make the source material work in a way that gets us something sooner or something special, I’m sure he will. I would love to have this back for the holidays next year, but that likely is not going to happen. We can’t rush the process. We won’t be able to repeat the magic if we push him." He noted that season 2 might not arrive until 2027, prompting consideration of this interim special to satisfy eager viewers.

Heated Rivalry, which premiered on Crave at the end of November 2025, follows Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie, as rival professional hockey players who develop a passionate secret relationship. The series, adapted from Rachel Reid's Game Changers book series, has garnered significant acclaim for its portrayal of gay love in the hyper-masculine world of ice hockey. Season 1 also featured the relationship between Scott Hunter and Kip Grady , highlighting multiple queer storylines from the source material.

The show's rapid success led Crave and Bell Media to greenlight season 2 before the first season concluded its run, with actors Williams and Storrie signed on for three seasons. Showrunner Jacob Tierney addressed the unexpected popularity, saying, “This isn’t what any of us expected and I’m endlessly grateful for it. But it’s the kind of noise that I have to drown out to make the next two seasons. I have to keep trusting myself. I have to keep doing what I did in the first place. That’s the way you’re going to get a good season two. It’s important for me to go back to what I love about this and remember the story I’m telling.” Tierney's comments suggest plans extending to a potential third season.

Within LGBTQ+ communities, Heated Rivalry has had a notable impact, inspiring at least one real-life hockey player, Jesse Kortuem, to come out publicly. The series ends season 1 with Shane and Ilya out to Shane's parents and Hunter publicly out, setting up narratives around public coming out and challenges in professional sports for gay athletes. A bonus episode could explore additional romances from Reid's books, such as other couples in the Game Changers universe, similar to how Scott and Kip's story was integrated into season 1.

Filming for season 2 may begin over the summer of 2026, according to Connor Storrie, though Tierney continues script development. The series is currently streaming on HBO Max in some regions. Fans have expressed strong enthusiasm online for any additional content featuring the central gay couple and supporting queer characters. This development underscores the growing demand for authentic representations of LGBTQ+ relationships in mainstream media, particularly in sports genres traditionally lacking such visibility.