IT’S THE BREAKOUT show of the year, according The New York Times, and today it hits Irish screens – but what exactly is Canadian series Heated Rivalry about, and why is it such a success?

Heated Rivalry is a six-episode TV adaptation of a 2019 novel of the same name by author Rachel Reid. The novel is the second in her series Game Changer, which deals with different characters from the professional hockey world.

Heated Rivalry focuses on the characters Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

Canadian Hollander is the captain of fictional hockey team the Montreal Metros, while Russian Rozanov captains the Boston Raiders – with the two being each other’s main rivals (do you see where this is going?).

The two embark on a secret, years-long steamy relationship off the ice as they face off in their rival teams, fearing neither can be open about their sexualities while they are professional sportspeople.

The two characters engage in a secretive relationship despite their sporting rivalry. Crave via AP Crave via AP

The series also contains a second gay romance: one of Hollander’s teammates Scott Hunter, who was the focus of the novel preceding Heated Rivalry, has his story intertwined in the show.

The show has been praised for its handling of gay romance on screen, as well as being one of few mainstream shows devoted to depicting a raunchy gay relationship progressing over time.

Writer, actor and director Jacob Tierney, perhaps best known for his role as Glen in the sitcom Letterkenny he was one of the writers of, optioned the novel for TV and pitched it to Canadian streaming service Crave.

Crave picked up the show and it was made on a small budget over a tight timeline. After some consideration, it had its release moved forward so that it would begin to stream over the Christmas period.

Initially forecast to be smaller success, the reaction to promotional material for the show was immense and the rights for distribution in the US were quickly snatched up by streaming giant HBO. From there, once it began streaming, the show exploded: within weeks its stars were on the major US late night talk shows and set to host the Golden Globes.

The show’s stars Hudson Williams (24) and Connor Storrie (25), both relative newcomers to the industry, have both spoken of their shock at being catapulted into the public eye with the overwhelming reaction to the show. 

Speaking to the New York Times, Williams said, “The pitch was a small Canadian show, emphasis on small and Canadian. I never really imagined this.”

Season two has already been confirmed.

Heated Rivalry is available to view in Ireland and the UK from today on Sky Atlantic and NOW.