Heated Rivalry Creator Confronts Racist Backlash Ahead of Season 2
Showrunner Jacob Tierney has openly addressed the racist backlash that emerged following the success of the hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, admitting that the creative team behind the show has "learned a lot" from the experience. This comes as the series prepares for its highly anticipated second season, expected to air in April 2027.
Stars Face Abuse from So-Called Fans
Based on the popular romance novels by Rachel Reid, the Canadian series focuses on the secret romantic relationship between rival hockey players Shane Hollander, portrayed by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. Heated Rivalry became a surprise hit upon its release on HBO Max in the United States in November, quickly amassing a passionate and dedicated fandom.
However, this fandom took a dark turn in March when Hudson Williams, along with co-stars François Arnaud and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, issued a joint statement directly addressing self-proclaimed "fans" who had shared racist, homophobic, biphobic, misogynistic, ageist, ableist, parasocial, and bigoted comments of any kind. The statement firmly declared, "None of us need your hateful 'love'."
Unexpected Reaction to Casting Choices
In a recent interview with Deadline, writer and director Jacob Tierney expressed his surprise at the backlash directed at the show's casting. This included criticism aimed at half-Korean actor Hudson Williams for his portrayal of Shane Hollander. Tierney remarked, "We didn't expect any of this attention or reaction from a public that might not exist at all."
Reflecting on the period since the show's premiere, Tierney added, "We've learned a lot, and there's a lot to think about moving forward in terms of the fandom and all that comes with it, negative and positive." Despite the challenges, he emphasised that the casting of Williams, coupled with the show's focus on a gay love story, made the success of Heated Rivalry particularly significant.
Celebrating Diversity and Addressing Fanaticism
Tierney highlighted the importance of having a non-white lead in the series, stating, "We have a non-white lead. I think that's important. We can learn a few lessons out of that: you don't need to be making an Asian show to have an Asian lead. Hudson's a star, man."
The unexpected success of Heated Rivalry propelled its leads to overnight superstardom, but it also led to intense fanaticism. Obsessive viewers combed through the social media accounts of Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, attempting to uncover details about their private lives. Williams faced a particularly severe backlash in February when he posted a tribute to his long-term girlfriend on Instagram, after previously refusing to comment on his sexuality. This action sparked widely debated accusations of "queer-baiting" due to his role in the series.
As the team looks ahead to season two, the experiences with both supportive fans and toxic backlash are shaping their approach to the fandom and the future of the show.
