“Heated Rivalry,” the TV series based on the popular book by Nova Scotia writer Rachel Reid, has become a sensation online. The story follows two closeted professional hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who are rivals on the ice but engage in a secret romance off the rink. Their relationship is complicated by homophobia within their sport and Rozanov’s home country of Russia.
One of the key points of interest surrounding the show is its Canadian origins, with Jacob Tierney as the writer and director and Crave as the production company. Despite being available on HBO Max in the U.S. and Australia, fans emphasize that it is not an HBO production, highlighting its distinctive Canadian elements from the budget to the music choices.
The series features a score reminiscent of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and includes several Canadian songs, driving a surge in streaming numbers for artists like Feist and Wolf Parade. The soundtrack enhances pivotal moments in the plot, showcasing a range of Canadian musical talent.
The show incorporates various Canadian tracks like Feist’s “Sealion” and “My Moon My Man,” Dumas’ “Une journée parfaite,” and songs by Philippe B, Wolf Parade, Night Lunch, Alfa Rococo, the Souljazz Orchestra, Lou Phelps, Richy Jay, Unessential Oils, the Deadly Snakes, and Absolute Treat. These songs complement the storyline and characters’ emotional arcs throughout the first season of “Heated Rivalry.”