This article contains spoilers for the series Heated Rivalry.
When snippets of the Canadian show Heated Rivalry began circulating on TikTok towards the end of the previous year, Dima, a 24-year-old engineer in Moscow, found himself drawn to the captivating storyline featuring the romantic entanglement of two professional hockey players â one Canadian and the other Russian.
Upon diving into the series, Dima was immediately captivated. He particularly admired U.S. actor Connor Storrie’s skill in mastering the Russian accent for his portrayal of Ilya Rozanov, a conceited and magnetic Russian center.
He resonated deeply with Rozanov’s internal struggle with disclosing his sexuality.
“When Ilya mentions that coming out could mean not being able to return to his homeland â that’s the harsh reality,” shared Dima. To protect his identity due to Russia’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, CBC News is using only his first name.
“Previously, it was merely frowned upon. Now, it’s grounds for animosity ⦠they could physically harm you, detain you, or even put you under arrest.”
Demands to Prohibit the Show
Adapted from novels by Canadian writer Rachel Reid, the series chronicles the evolving relationship between Rozanov and Asian-Canadian athlete Shane Hollander (portrayed by Canadian actor Hudson Williams) as they navigate their growing affection amidst a fierce on-ice rivalry.
Having garnered global attention, the show has sparked dialogues on sexuality, homophobia in sports, and inclusivity, challenging traditional notions of masculinity.
In Canada, the series was developed for Bell Media’s Crave streaming service and is broadcast on HBO Max in the U.S., while in Russia, access is limited to VPNs or illicit platforms with subtitles or Russian dubbing.
Despite being unavailable for legal viewing in Russia due to licensing constraints, an Orthodox group at the national level is advocating for its prohibition, denouncing what they perceive as scenes of “unnatural debauchery.”
Even amid the backdrop of increasingly oppressive anti-LGBTQ+ statutes enforced by the Kremlin, numerous Russian enthusiasts are expressing admiration and support for the series online.