SPOILERS AHEAD: Heated Rivalry fans. Proceed with caution.
Fair warning: if you’re not emotionally prepared, Heated Rivalry season 2 may want to have a word with you. This isn’t just a continuation—it’s an escalation. According to creator Jacob Tierney, the next chapter of Heated Rivalry is diving headfirst into the moments fans have been holding their breath for, especially when it comes to coming out, masculinity in sports, and the internal worlds of its characters. Yes, it’s still hot. Yes, there will be kisses. But also? Growth. Vulnerability. Possibly tears.
If season 1 cracked the door open, season 2 is about walking through it—on skates, under stadium lights, with your heart very much on the line.
RELATED: ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Is About to Test Ilya and Shane
Shane Hollander Comes Out—And We’re Going to See It
One of the biggest confirmations to come out of recent interviews is that Shane Hollander’s coming out to his Montreal team will not be handled offscreen. Tierney has been very clear about that. Speaking on the Loon Call Podcast, he said,
“I’m going to have to [write and shoot] Shane coming out to his team. I can’t do that offscreen, that’s not how TV works.” He added that it’s an inevitable moment—too important to imply, too emotionally significant to skip. “You have to see it. You have to experience it.”
For queer viewers, especially those who grew up loving sports but feeling like they never quite belonged, this matters. Coming out in a locker room isn’t just about saying the words—it’s about fear, relief, silence, reactions, and the moment after. Heated Rivalry choosing to show that instead of summarizing it is a big deal.
Being Queer in Sports: The Pressure Cooker
Sports stories love toughness, resilience, and pushing through pain—but queer athletes often have to shoulder an extra, invisible weight. Heated Rivalry has always understood that. Season 2 looks set to lean further into the reality of being LGBTQ+ in a hyper-masculine, high-stakes environment, where your body is scrutinized, your performance is public, and your personal life can feel like a liability.
Shane’s journey isn’t just about romance; it’s about visibility. What does it cost to be honest when your career feels like it depends on silence? What does it mean to choose yourself anyway? These are questions many viewers—athletes or not—will recognize instantly.
From Page to Screen: Why These Scenes Have to Exist
Tierney has also spoken about the challenge—and privilege—of adapting Rachel Reid’s novel for television. In books, you get interior monologue. You can live inside a character’s head. TV doesn’t have that luxury. “There’s a privilege when it comes to novels—first person point-of-view,” Tierney explained. Translating that emotional depth onscreen means choosing the right moments to dramatize.
That’s why scenes like Shane coming out—to his sister Yuna, to his team—aren’t optional. They are the story. And judging by season 1, Tierney knows exactly how to pick the moments that hit hardest.
Choosing Authenticity (and the Stairwell Kiss)
Part of what makes Heated Rivalry special is that it exists the way it does because Tierney refused to sand it down. Actor François Arnaud revealed earlier this year that the show was once set up at a major U.S. streamer—but the notes kept coming. Instead of compromising, Tierney walked away and made it in Canada.
Thank god he did. That decision is the reason we got the stairwell kiss. The lingering looks. The intimacy that doesn’t apologize for itself. Season 2 is expected to carry that same energy: unapologetically queer, emotionally grounded, and unafraid of softness.
i need to kiss jacob tierney on the mouth he was so sexy for this #heatedrivalryspoilershttps://t.co/nMpm7Bx6ZR
— kat ♡ hollanov (@odetohudcon) December 12, 2025
So… When Are We Getting It?
There’s no exact release date yet, but signs point to summer filming. In a Variety interview, Hudson Williams mentioned July or August as a possible start, and Connor Storrie echoed that timeline during a January appearance on TODAY. The creators have also reassured fans that the wait won’t be too long—which is both comforting and deeply suspicious.
Until Then, We Rewatch
So yes, spoilers ahead—and even more feelings. Heated Rivalry season 2 is shaping up to be less about will-they-won’t-they and more about who they become once they stop hiding. Coming out, growing up, and standing your ground on the ice and off it? That’s a rivalry worth watching.
Now excuse us while we rewatch season 1. Again.
REFERENCE: Loon Call: A Game Changer’s Podcast