I’m Watching Heated Rivalry, And I’m So Glad There’s Finally A Smutty TV Show For Queer Folks

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Romantasy – stories blending romance and fantasy – is really popular right now in movies, books, and TV shows. I don’t usually gravitate towards this genre, mostly because the focus is often on straight relationships. I’ve seen the popular, steamy scenes in shows like Bridgerton (available on Netflix), but they haven’t really appealed to me personally. That all changed with Heated Rivalry, now streaming on HBO Max. Finally, there’s a sexy romantasy show made for LGBTQ+ viewers.

There’s been a lot of recent discussion about how important it is to see LGBTQ+ people represented in TV and movies. I started watching a show called Heated Rivalry, which is about two male hockey players who begin a secret relationship. I saw some clips on Twitter and got hooked – I’m really enjoying it!

I Finally Get The Appeal Of Smutty TV Shows

There’s been a lot of talk about the actors’ personal lives in Heated Rivalry, but I’m more interested in the show itself. I was really struck by how realistically it portrayed the experience of being in the closet, and I also enjoyed the show’s many intimate scenes, especially in the first two episodes. The combination of those steamy scenes and the exciting plot finally made me see what people love about romance stories.

Netflix’s Hunting Wives included steamy scenes with two women, but its new series, Heated Rivalry, takes things further with surprisingly explicit scenes between two men. Both the conversations and the intimate moments were more graphic than what’s typically shown in queer stories on TV and in movies, which really surprised me. It’s not surprising that clips are circulating on social media, and many, like me, are now checking out the series on HBO Max.

You can start watching Heated Rivalry and thousands of other movies and shows on HBO Max for as little as $10.99 a month with the Basic With Ads plan. Check out the available plans and view the deal here.

The sports drama has quickly become a popular HBO show, sparking lots of conversation – even though it actually started in Canada. Beyond the intense romance, the years-long relationship between Shane and Ilya, unfolding across multiple hockey seasons, adds genuine emotional depth. While both athletes are trying to keep their affair a secret, it seems inevitable that it will eventually be revealed.

I don’t usually enjoy steamy romance, but I actually found myself understanding why people like it while watching Heated Rivalry. I’m really curious about whether an intimacy coordinator was involved in filming the show’s more intimate scenes – there are quite a few of them!

The new show, Heated Rivalry, will stream new episodes on HBO Max every Friday as part of the 2025 television lineup. Experts predict the series will become even more engaging as the season progresses.

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2025-12-05 15:08