Sneak Peek at Season 2 of ‘Heated Rivalry’ with Creator Jacob Tierney

Jacob Tierney, the creator of ‘Heated Rivalry,’ provided a preview of Season 2 in an appearance on ‘CBS Mornings.’ The show, airing on HBO Max, will premiere in ‘late spring,’ although Tierney has not announced an exact date yet. He assured fans that he isn’t withholding any information.

Season 2 will delve into the dynamics between characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. This narrative will draw heavily from ‘The Long Game,’ the sixth book in Rachel Reid’s ‘Game Changers’ hockey romance series. Tierney stated, “My focus is on Shane and Ilya, and we are exploring this relationship. There are new couples and characters intersecting with them, creating a more expanded universe.”

The new season will examine the characters’ lives after achieving their ‘quiet happiness’ at the end of Season 1, detailing how this affects their futures.

Using Intimacy as a Storytelling Tool

In his upcoming book, ‘I’ll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1,’ Tierney discusses the series’ creative process. Notably, he addresses the impactful use of steamy scenes. “I wanted the sex scenes to convey a story and reveal character insights through their interactions,” Tierney explained, avoiding any gratuitous content.

Tierney commented, “I enjoyed creating a show that was both steamy and meaningful. It was essential to track the relationship through these moments of intimacy, especially since the characters rarely communicate verbally.” The creator highlighted the importance of the physical connection in the storyline, noting its profound meaning for Shane and Ilya.

Music Selection in the Series

In his book, Tierney mentioned that episode five of the first season centered around the song ‘I’ll Believe in Anything’ by Wolf Parade. During ‘CBS Mornings,’ he shared his long-standing admiration for the band since his early 20s, noting, “Music you fall in love with when young holds significant meaning.” Tierney looks for powerful songs he feels deserve wider recognition. Describing his selections, he remarked, “These songs hold enormous meaning, and I wonder, ‘Why aren’t they No. 1 hits?'”