Despite a legal ban on content promoting LGBTQ+ themes, the Canadian television series “Heated Rivalry” has become a surprising hit with Russian audiences, ranking highly on the Russian equivalent of IMDb, Kinopoisk.
The series, which follows the complex relationship between two male hockey players – Canadian Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) – has garnered an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 stars on Kinopoisk, placing it on par with critically acclaimed shows like “Stranger Things” and “Twin Peaks,” and even comparable to “Breaking Bad” and “Game of Thrones,” according to reports from Danish broadcaster DR.
“Heated Rivalry” is not available on any official Russian streaming platforms, yet it has amassed thousands of reviews and a dedicated following. This popularity comes two years after Russia enacted a law in 2022 prohibiting the dissemination of information that equates “traditional” and “non-traditional” sexual relationships, effectively banning most LGBTQ+ content and equating it with propaganda akin to that promoting pedophilia.
Kristina Aleksandrovna Pedersen, a postdoctoral researcher specializing in autocracies and information control, suggests the series’ appeal stems from several factors. “One reason is that one of the main characters is Russian, and that matters in terms of it being exciting to see how one is portrayed,” Pedersen told DR. She similarly noted the allure of forbidden content. “When something prohibited comes to the surface, it becomes very exciting. LGBTQ+ themes are totally no-go in Russia. So, I consider that plays a big role.”
Alexander Sasha Kondakov, an author who writes about LGBTQ+ issues in Russia, emphasized the legal risk associated with watching the show. “People have actually been prosecuted for less in Russia, such as wearing a rainbow pin on the subway or publishing a kissing picture of two people of the same sex on social media,” he explained to DR. Despite this, a widespread crackdown on viewers appears unlikely.
The success of “Heated Rivalry” is particularly notable given its relatively low budget and the unknown status of its lead actors prior to the series. Warner Bros Discovery reports that viewership has more than doubled since the latest episode aired, and the show is now the most-watched purchased series in the history of HBO Max. The series currently averages 10.6 million viewers per episode in the United States, according to Variety.
The show’s popularity has propelled Williams and Storrie to international recognition. The actors were even selected to carry the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony of the recent games in Italy, as reported by The Guardian.
