Few television debuts in recent years have cut through the noise as decisively as Heated Rivalry. What launched as a niche adaptation of Rachel Reid’s beloved hockey romance novels quickly evolved into a breakout hit. Within weeks of its premiere in November, 2025, the series surged to the top of HBO Max’s charts, where it currently ranks as the No. 1 show in the US.

What began as a sports drama has firmly established itself as a cultural phenomenon, one whose impact now extends well beyond the screen. And now, that impact is being formally recognized.

According to Variety, Heated Rivalry creators Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady will receive the Cultural Impact Award at The NYC LGBT Community Center’s annual Center Dinner gala this April. The event, scheduled for April 16 at Cipriani Wall Street, is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. It celebrates work that meaningfully advances queer visibility and storytelling.

“Tierney and Brady have elevated and centered queer characters as fully realized leads whose desires, conflicts and tenderness are treated with dignity,” Center CEO Dr. Carla Smith praised the duo’s contribution in a statement.

In addition to honoring Tierney, who serves as writer, director, and executive producer, and Brendan Brady, the evening will feature a high-profile benefit auction, as per Variety. Among the standout items: a dinner with the show’s cast and a walk-on role in Heated Rivalry Season 2, offering fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step onto the ice themselves.

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Even as accolades roll in, the work continues, and Season 2 is already being teased by the show's actor.

Heated Rivalry Season 1 followed Shane and Ilya Rozanov as they navigated a secret relationship under the pressure of professional sports. The finale marked a turning point. Inspired by American player Scott Hunter coming out publicly, Shane and Ilya commit to each other and tentatively plan to do the same.

Actor Hudson Williams has teased on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that Season 2 will explore the consequences of that choice. The conflict will shift from secrecy to visibility, and how their relationship survives scrutiny, media narratives, and the politics of professional hockey. The upcoming season will also draw from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, including storylines involving Ilya switching teams to be closer to Shane and the couple launching a new charity initiative.

Jacob Tierney has also confirmed in an interview with Variety that Season 2 will not arrive in 2026, noting that writing is still in early stages. A 2027 or 2028 debut appears more likely.

Heated Rivalry has proven that sports stories can be tender without losing intensity and political without losing heart. As its creators receive well-earned recognition and the next chapter begins to form, the series’ legacy feels far from finished.

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What do you hope Season 2 explores next? Public love, private cost, or something entirely unexpected? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going.