Crave’s Heated Rivalry hit the streaming platform Home Box Office (HBO) Max Nov. 28, igniting widespread passion and support for the Canadian hockey show that’s taken over today’s popular culture.
“I really liked how unique the show was,” senior Jacqueline Chriss said. “Although I was skeptical at first, it turned out to be really interesting.”
The show details a ten-year-long developing relationship between two young hockey players, Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rosanov, played by Connor Storie, who not only become recognized for their talent at the sport, but become closer and develop a more personal connection as the episodes continue. Immediately after its release, the series received positive reviews, with people of different backgrounds bonding over the heart-warming content. The six-episode series has already been renewed for two more seasons, with the couple having a new novel releasing this September.
“My girlfriend thinks it’s a great show,” senior Maksim Yevtekhov said. “She watches it nonstop [and] says it’s her favorite right now, and honestly I’m starting to see why.”
Originally based on the book of the same name written by Rachel Reid and released in 2019, the show was originally a small production, but rose to fame immediately. Fans of the book enjoyed how accurate it was to the source material, and the time period of the mid-2010s. Director Jacob Tierny made sure to create a connection with the audience, while also introducing his own aspects which made the book more adaptable for visual media. The show immediately caught the hearts of fans as it introduced many to small artists such as Wet Leg, Feist and others who were featured on the incredibly cohesive soundtrack. Coming from a low budget, including unknown artists and leads, the show has opened new opportunities for all people involved; it has broken the preconceived notion that a show needs a large budget to succeed.
“The soundtrack was really good and featured a lot of indie artists I like,” Chriss said. “I liked how the show had such a small budget yet was able to be so good.”
Fans have agreed that the show is not only a good romance, but is accurate with its portrayals of real and raw issues such as mental health and miscommunication. The main character, Hollander, has autism, with viewers praising Williams’ natural yet precise performance. Storie has also been acclaimed for his near-perfect Russian, as he hails from Texas and began learning the language a mere two weeks before the show began production. Both actors have expressed their dedication and love for the show, seemingly having a bright future for their respective careers.
“The show is way more than just a relationship between two guys and really shows just how a situationship can grow into something great,” Chriss said.
