Heated Rivalry has already made a buzz for its nuanced sports romance story, which was created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney. The Canadian series is based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novel series; however, the show takes a few deviations.Heated Rivalry is centered on two professional hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, who appear as arch enemies but secretly brew a romance within.Heated Rivalry modifications from books that ultimately make the show one of the best adaptations of 2025On November 28, 2025, the show debuted with its first season and was eventually picked up by HBO Max for U.S. and Australian audiences. The first season debuted with six episodes, and due to its popularity, it has already been renewed for a second season owing to strong viewership and critical buzz.Adaptations have a few challenges to overcome: how do you honor the source while making television that entertains? The medium being different calls for changes. In 2025, Heated Rivalry has answered that by offering thoughtful deviations from the book. View this post on Instagram Instagram Post1. Reframing the commercial scene to define Ilya’s intentThe TV version’s opening is not just there for brand promotion but it’s Ilya’s idea. In the book, Shane and Ilya feature in the shoot simply because they are signed into it.The adaptation’s choice to make it Ilya’s setup adds subtext: a calculated attempt to be near Shane. Even though it feels like a small change, it has major narrative consequences.2. Scott Hunter’s expanded arc and central episodeIn the novel, Scott Hunter is a secondary figure with minimal presence, but the show refuses to relegate him to the background. In Episode 3 (Hunter), a full 45 minutes is devoted to Scott and Kip Grady’s relationship.This is the most noticeable structural change yet: instead of following Shane and Ilya exclusively, the series steers into another couple's story.3. Emotional tone bump in key confrontationsSeveral scenes are kept as in the book’s dialogue, but they shift tone for TV. The rooftop confrontation after the MVP awards is the clearest example of this modification.The scene is somber on the page; it’s angrier and more electric on screen. The energy and conflict are externalized through performance and body language.Heated Rivalry (Image via Instagram/@heatedrivalrycrave)4. Character depth through family and identityAnother addition, now widely appreciated, is the expanded role of Shane’s family, particularly his mother, Yuna. The book showcases her in a supportive background presence, but the show amplifies her role.Paired with subtler explorations of microaggressions Shane faces as an Asian Canadian in hockey culture, these adjustments shift the story from a mere romance to a more nuanced story of identity and belonging.5. Restructuring intimacy and consentThe timing and framing of Shane and Ilya’s first intimate encounter are also modified in the show. Delayed by a canceled flight and occurring years later than in the book, the scene in the show follows a different pace.Most importantly, the show foregrounds consent which not only reinforces character integrity but also showcases how the couple care for each other.6. New scenes that accentuate characterNewly added moments, like Ilya’s elevator encounter with Yuna or Shane explaining his odd YouTube obsessions to his dad appear simple at first.However, collectively they flesh out characters and nuances in a way that is suited to the visual medium. These moments humanize the leads and balance the high-stakes romance with grounding humor and relatability.Heated Rivalry stars Connor Storrie as Shane Hollander, a disciplined Canadian hockey star, and Hudson Williams as Ilya Rozanov, his outspoken Russian rival. François Arnaud plays Scott Hunter, with Élodie Yung as Svetlana. Jacob Tierney created and directed the series.Rachel Reid is a Canadian romance author popular for his Game Changers series, a set of interconnected sports romance stories based on ice-hockey players. Heated Rivalry, first published in 2019, quickly became the breakout title of the book series.The show is available for streaming on HBO Max.