Heated Rivalry could be heading toward a much bigger future than another season of hockey romance. While Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov remain central to the television drama, a separate Christmas movie is reportedly being developed around Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. That would give the series two distinct romantic storylines across television and film.
According to Deadline’s November 7 exclusive report, two additional six-episode seasons are already filming back to back. A holiday feature is also being planned, although HBO Max and Crave have not officially announced these developments.
Heated Rivalry has two six-episode seasons and a holiday movie in development
The reported plans cover three separate projects, creating an unusually substantial continuation for the Canadian romance drama. However, their production schedules and intended release plans are not the same.
Here is what Deadline’s sources say is currently in the works:
- Heated Rivalry Season 2: A new six-episode season is filming as part of a back-to-back production schedule.
- Heated Rivalry Season 3: Another six-episode season is being filmed alongside Season 2, bringing the reported total to 12 additional television episodes.
- Television filming: Production on both seasons is expected to finish in late November or early December 2026.
- Christmas movie: A standalone holiday feature centered on Scott Hunter and Kip Grady is planned, with filming targeted to begin in December 2026.
- Movie release: A theatrical debut is being targeted for December 2027, although that date remains a plan rather than an official release announcement.
One important distinction is that a production timetable does not establish when viewers will receive the new episodes. No premiere dates have been confirmed for Seasons 2 or 3. Likewise, the storylines for those seasons have not been disclosed in the supplied reporting.
For viewers, the most significant development may be the separation between the main television narrative and the proposed film. Instead of making every continuation depend on the same romantic pairing, the franchise could give another established relationship its own space.
Scott Hunter and Kip Grady would lead the Christmas movie without Shane and Ilya
The holiday project is particularly interesting because it would shift attention away from the two characters most closely associated with the series. François Arnaud’s Scott Hunter and Robbie G.K.’s Kip Grady would become the central couple, while additional familiar characters are expected to appear.
Scott’s relationship with Kip already provides a different perspective on romance within professional hockey. Scott is a player who publicly comes out during a live televised game, inspired by his relationship with Kip, a smoothie barista. Their story therefore connects private affection with a very public decision.
By comparison, Shane and Ilya have spent years maintaining a secret relationship while building their international hockey careers. The contrast between these couples gives the proposed movie a recognizable identity without requiring an invented new storyline.
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are not expected to appear as Shane and Ilya in the holiday film, according to the report. This is not simply a Christmas episode featuring the entire leading cast. It is being developed as a standalone movie focused on Scott and Kip.
Its holiday setting also makes the intended December 2027 theatrical release a natural fit. Nevertheless, there are no verified details about the movie’s specific plot, supporting character appearances or theatrical distribution arrangements.
Heated Rivalry brings together two hockey romances and a wider supporting cast
Based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, Heated Rivalry is a Canadian drama originating from Crave and carried by HBO Max in the United States. At its center are two international hockey stars whose relationship began during their rookie years.
Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have built their careers in a competitive sporting environment while keeping their personal connection hidden. Meanwhile, Scott and Kip offer another perspective on the consequences of making a relationship public.
The principal characters and their performers include:
- Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander: An international hockey star who has maintained a secret relationship with Ilya since their rookie days.
- Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov: Shane’s fellow hockey star and longtime romantic partner.
- François Arnaud as Scott Hunter: A professional hockey player who comes out during a live televised game.
- Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady: A smoothie barista whose relationship with Scott inspires the player’s public decision.
- Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana: A close friend of Ilya Rozanov.
- Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander: Shane’s mother and manager.
- Dylan Walsh as Tom Hollander: Shane’s father.
This ensemble helps explain why a standalone project centered on Scott and Kip makes sense. The series already contains more than one important relationship, so its fictional world does not necessarily have to revolve around Shane and Ilya in every format.
However, the existing cast list should not be confused with a confirmed roster for the upcoming seasons or movie. Beyond the reported leads and the mention of additional characters in the film, individual appearances have not been established.
The reported expansion raises questions about release dates and official confirmation
There is an important difference between an exclusive industry report and a formal network announcement. Deadline attributes these plans to its sources, but neither Crave nor HBO Max has publicly confirmed the complete production and release strategy described in the report.
Consequently, viewers should distinguish between the reported filming arrangements and the dates that remain unknown. The television seasons have a proposed production completion window, while the movie has a targeted theatrical month. Neither detail establishes a streaming premiere schedule for the new episodes.
For audiences keeping track of returning shows, this is a useful distinction. Other television projects are already communicating more specific launch information, including Bad Monkey Season 2 and its announced release schedule. Heated Rivalry has not reached that same level of public scheduling confirmation for its next chapters.
Meanwhile, the reported Christmas feature points toward a different approach to expanding a television property. Rather than introducing an unrelated cast or setting, it would revisit characters viewers already know and place their relationship at the center of a separate production.
That makes it an interesting contrast with new projects built around entirely different premises, such as Netflix’s upcoming horror series Pagans. One approach expands an established fictional world, while the other introduces a new story and ensemble.
For now, the next development worth watching is an official statement from Crave or HBO Max. Such an announcement could clarify whether the reported production timetable remains on course and when audiences might actually see the new episodes.
Heated Rivalry may be preparing for more than a conventional television continuation. If the reported plans move forward, viewers would have two additional seasons and a separate Scott-and-Kip holiday romance to anticipate. The biggest unanswered question is when the networks will formally confirm that future.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
