Russell T Davies Questions 'Revolutionary' Status of Heated Rivalry Series
Television creator Russell T Davies has expressed skepticism about the billing of Canadian series Heated Rivalry as a "revolutionary gay show." The Welsh screenwriter and producer, speaking at a special screen talk during London's BFI Flare film festival on Monday 23 March, acknowledged enjoying the program but challenged its groundbreaking reputation.
"I love it, it's hot," Davies told the audience, according to Variety reports. "To be honest, when people go, 'Oh, it's this revolutionary gay show', I go 'er, hello!'" The 62-year-old creator specifically referenced social media comparisons suggesting his seminal 1990s drama Queer as Folk "walked so Heated Rivalry could run," responding emphatically: "We were f***ing running from the start!"
The Series and Its Creators
Heated Rivalry, adapted from Rachel Reid's novel and created by Jacob Tierney, follows Canadian ice hockey star Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) whose intense on-ice rivalry conceals a passionate secret romance. Originally released by Canadian studio Crave in December before arriving in the UK via HBO in January, the series has propelled previously unknown actors Storrie and Williams to stardom.
Davies' Groundbreaking Career
Davies has established himself as a pioneering figure in LGBTQ+ television representation through multiple landmark productions. His late-1990s drama Queer as Folk, focusing on gay men in Manchester, is widely credited with revolutionizing gay male representation on screen. Subsequent projects include Channel 4's 2015 series Cucumber, exploring contemporary gay relationships, and the BAFTA-nominated 2021 drama It's a Sin, which examined the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s and early-1990s Britain.
Upcoming Projects and Adaptations
During the BFI Flare discussion, Davies offered a preview of his forthcoming Channel 4 drama Tip Toe, scheduled for release later this year. The five-part Manchester-set mini-series features Alan Cumming as gay bar owner Leo alongside drag queen Melba (Paul Rhys), exploring rising far-right politics and threats to LGBTQ+ rights. A six-minute preview clip showed characters discussing online hatred directed at the bar for employing trans staff.
Additionally, Davies confirmed his involvement as executive producer for a dance adaptation of It's a Sin, collaborating with legendary pop duo Pet Shop Boys, Sink The Pink founder Glyn Fussell, and composer Roman GianArthur. "It's A Sin was such a special show for me," Davies stated, "and it's one of the greatest honours of my life to have the show transformed by Rambert into something new and exciting."
The discussion highlighted ongoing conversations about LGBTQ+ representation in television, with Davies' comments underscoring the historical context of queer programming while acknowledging newer contributions to the genre.
