HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry has quickly become one of the platform’s most talked-about series, which blends professional hockey with an intense romance. Based on the second novel in Rachel Reid's Game Changers book series, this six-part queer hockey romance follows the decade-spanning complicated yet meaningful relationship between two rival star players, Shane and Ilya.The series is created by Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny) and stars Hudson Williams as the Ottawa-born Asian Canadian player Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as the Moscow-born Russian player Ilya Rozanov.While Heated Rivalry has been praised for its bold storytelling and complex characters, it is firmly aimed at an adult audience. For parents wondering whether it’s suitable for children or teenagers, the short answer is no.More on this in our story.Heated Rivalry parents guide: HBO Max's hockey drama is rated TV-MA View this post on Instagram Instagram PostWith queer representation and romances getting stronger on the small screen, Heated Rivalry has quietly topped HBO Max's charts and is heavily trending everywhere. While the title was already a hit among book readers and exploded on BookTok with the release of Reid's book, Shane and Ilya's electrifying chemistry has found a new fanbase.However, this hockey romance series is rated TV-MA and not suitable for a young audience. A TV-MA rating is usually awarded to titles with explicit s*xual content, extreme profanity and graphic violence. In addition to its mature themes of desire, jealousy and aggression, the latest HBO Max title features explicit s*x scenes and n*dity, making it unfit for children.Less hockey, more intensity: Factors to consider before streaming Heated Rivalry with your kids View this post on Instagram Instagram PostWhile HBO Max's latest hockey romance is an adaptation of Reid's fictional hockey universe from her Game Changers series, the six-part series has little to do with the actual sport. Parents who assume Heated Rivalry will appeal to their sports-obsessed kids are sadly mistaken, as the series offers very little actual hockey and instead centers on the emotionally complex and mature relationship between two players.The series begins in 2009, when Shane and Ilya, two rival hockey players pitted against each other in the media, start their casual fling in a hotel room that evolves into a messy yet meaningful relationship over the years. Here are some factors to consider before you let your kids stream Heated Rivalry:Explicit s*xual content and n*dity: At its core, the show is a romance drama that does not shy away from explicit intimacy. The series includes frequent s*xual scenes, suggestive dialogue and prolonged depictions of physical relationships. These moments are not merely implied but are central to the narrative and often graphic in nature. For kids and younger teens, this level of s*xual content can be confusing and far beyond age-appropriate storytelling.The intimate scenes between Shane and Ilya, which form the heart of every episode, are often prolonged and featured in great detail. Additionally, some scenes feature male rear n*dity.Substance Use: Heated Rivalry also portrays alcohol use and party culture. Characters are shown drinking heavily and smoking as a coping mechanism to stress and fatigue. The series also delves into emotionally complex and sometimes unhealthy relationship dynamics.HBO Max clearly positions Heated Rivalry as a mature drama for adults. The show is grabbing all the attention on the Internet and for all the right reasons. Its mature themes of physical intimacy and complicated relationships are inappropriate for kids but the title is an impressive attempt to represent queer love on screen.The juxtaposition between Shane and Ilya's aggressive sport and the tenderness of their feelings is beautifully portrayed on screen. Beyond its mature content, Heated Rivalry is undeniably a win for queer storytelling. The series places a same-sex relationship at the very heart of a mainstream sports drama and refuses to treat it as a subplot or a token storyline.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.