Just to preface, I didn’t read the book before watching Heated Rivalry. So this post will solely go off which of the shows I think are somewhat similar to HL.
Whether it be through certain themes, plot points, relationships between characters, gay storylines etc. I will not be doing a comparison of which are closer to the adaptation or the book, nor will I be doing which shows are completely worth watching because of that. I just think fans could appreciate them. There are some obvious titles and a few ones that might catch you off guard.
Heated Rivalry is probably one of the only few shows I’ve managed to binge in one sitting in the past year. It was due to the fact it’s only six episode – but they were also so addictive. I can’t wait for more seasons of this series to come out in the future.
If you didn’t know, Heated Rivalry centres around the relationship of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov over the course of their careers. It takes us from 2008 up until 2017, when the dynamic between them changes.
Over six fantastic episodes we are thrust into their lives as professsional hockey player figuring their lives out and their time. We also get a taste of Scott Hunter’s story in this too. Now, let’s take a look at the 20 best series you need to watch like Heated Rivalry.
Things You Should Know About Heated Rivalry
- Genre: Sport
- Star: Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie
- Runtime: 43–55 minutes
- Based on: Based on the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid
- Where to watch: Crave and Sky
Heated Rivalry Synopsis
Heated Rivalry has been on my watchlist for ages, and I finally got around to watching it recently. Bear in mind, I haven’t read any of the books it is based on.
The film’s plot basically follows the relationship between two rival hockey players.
Shane and Ilya are secretly dating, away from the public eye and their family members. While it starts off as a fling, we wonder whether it will stay that way or progress.
Over the years, things change in both their careers and personal lives. Heated Rivalry shines the spotlight on LGBTQ+ storylines in the hockey profession.
It deals with romance, heartbreak, and passion.
Young Royals
What you need to know about Young Royals:
- Season: 3
- Episodes: 18
- Themes: homophobia, mental illness, eating disorders, infidelity, drug addiction, stalking, abuse, internalized racism, autism, the relationship between social classes, and constitutional monarchy.
- Is it still on air? No
This show debuted in 2021 and, much like Heated Rivalry, it centres on a strong queer love story. Set in Spain, Young Royals takes places at the fictional elite boarding school Hillerska.
Like Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov, Wilhelm and Simon start a secret relationship, knowing that their romance got out, it could ruin everything. Despite this, they still gravitate toward each other each time. There’s quite a bit of drama in the show.
While Heated Rivalry is based on a book, Young Royals isn’t. If you really want a TV show like Heated Rivalry, this is definitely worth checking out.
Normal People
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Themes: love, miscommunication, social class, identity, loneliness, and the challenges of growing up through the complex relationship between Connell Waldron and Marianne Sheridan
- Is it still on air? No
The reason I put this on the list is because of the strong romantic relationship between Marianne and Connell, which of course reminded me of Shane and Ilya. This series about the messy side of relationships and the vulnerability that comes along with it.
Normal People shows just how a relationship can develop from a fling to a much more meaningful one, portraying the highs and lows in between too.
Connell and Marianne have kept their relationship a secret a secret from the world, largely because of Connell’s reputation at school. However, this ultimately hurts Marianne.
Over several years, it follows their lives from being in a relationship to going their separate ways. They are two people who care deeply for each other, but who also end up hurting one another.
Fellow Travelers
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 8
- Themes: forbidden love, political persecution, identity, secrecy, and government oppression.
- Is it still on air? No
We have another queer romance, Fellow Travelers is based on the 2007 fictional novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon.
This show revolves around a complicated romance between two men that takes place over several years.
The story in Fellow Travelers spans several decades, beginning with the Vietnam Warand continuing into 1980s. We follow the romance between Hawkins Fuller and Tim Laughlin.
In their relationship, the two men must deal with secrecy, loyalty, and being at risk for being openly gay.
Looking
- Season: 2
- Episodes: 18
- Themes: friendship, identity, modern relationships, and the everyday experiences of gay men dealing with love.
- Is it still on air? No
Looking is the kind of drama you can easily binge and enjoy. It has 30 minutes episodes and has widely been praised by critics online.
It has even been named “The Best HBO series of all time.” I also think this series is trailblazing.
It is set in modern-day San Francisco, Looking follows three close friends who deal with relationships, careers, and their overall lives within the city’s LGBTQ community.
There’s a video game designer, aspiring restaurateur, a successful entrepreneur and an artist’s assistant.
The series follows love, ambition, friendship, and identity.
Boots
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 8
- Themes: Boots explores themes of identity, masculinity, friendship, and self-acceptance as a closeted gay teenager navigates military boot camp and discovers belonging and courage in a hostile environment.
- Is it still on air? No
Boots stars Miles Dominic Heizer (known for his roles in 13 Reasons Why and the film Love, Simon) as the main lead, Cameron Cope.
The show explores the ruthless environment surrounding the Marine Corps. It tackles real issues, such as homosexuality in the 1990s—especially within the United States Marine Corps – as well as racism.
The series has a strong storyline, following Cameron as he struggles with negative perceptions of himself but chooses to join the Corps anyway.
The TV series is both heartfelt and hard-hitting—definitely one to watch.
Olympo
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 8
- Themes: The series addresses themes of ambition, competition, and the huge pressure faced by young elite athletes.
- Is it still on air? No
Olympo is a show that dives into the competitive sports world.
The series takes place in a fictional elite training school with upcoming young athletes in the country. The students dedicate their lives to intense training and strict discipline, and compete for lucrative sponsorship deals with the global fashion brand Olympo.
This drama is definitely worth the watch. It shines the spotlight on the struggle of balancing relationships with a career and heated rivalry.
The series includes gay and lesbian storylines, from athletes navigating identity, relationships while pursuing their dreams.
Spinning Out
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 10
- Themes: The series is about mental health, family pressure, and sacrifice in competitive sports.
- Is it still on air? No
Starring Kaya Scodelario as Kat Baker, this show has since been cherished by many Netflix viewers.
Spinning Out tackles important issues such as mental health, including bipolar disorder and the lasting effects of PTSD.
Set in the highly competitive world of figure skating, the show gives people a glimpse behind the scenes of the sport, including intense training sessions.
The story follows Kat and Justin, whose skating partnership grows leads to being a romantic relationship.
The duo supporting each other through thick and thin. Overall, Spinning Out is a must-watch drama.
Ted Lasso
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 10
- Themes: The series is about mental health, family pressure, and sacrifice in competitive sports.
- Is it still on air? No
Another great sports drama, Ted Lasso. It has been a huge hit with Netflix viewers ever since it first began airing in 2020.
The show released at the time the pandemic hit, when many of us were searching for new shows due to the lockdown.
Aside from receiving major recognition and multiple nominations at awards such as the Emmys, the show truly speaks for itself through its humour and likeable characters.
The premise of the story follows Ted Lasso, an American football coach who is unexpectedly hired to manage a struggling English football team, despite having little knowledge of the sport. But he faces setback from the professional sport – both on and off the pitch. The show is both uplifting and fun to watch.
Gameboys
- Season: 2
- Episodes: 14
- Themes: The series includes themes of themes of love, queer identity, and the impact of COVID-19
- Is it still on air? No
Gameboys is a Filipino series set during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Luzon. It centres around a queer love story.
It revolves around a livestream gamer named Cairo Lazaro, also known as Caimazing, who loses an online match to Gavreel Alarcon, playing under the username Angel2000.
While the two form a bond through their gaming, things become more complicated following a love confession.
It’s a pretty good show to get through, with only 14 episodes across 2 seasons.
Finding her Edge
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 10
- Themes: The series is romance, family pressure, and sacrifice in competitive sports
- Is it still on air? No
Much like Heated Rivalry, Finding Your Edge is based on a sports drama novel and is set primarily in Canada. Written by Jennifer Iacopelli, the series aired on Netflix on January 22.
The film follows Adriana Russo. She is a figure skater who struggles to return to the competitive world after time away from the sport. Things are very complicated for her as she comes from a family of figure skating dynasty.
She also faces complicated relationships, from old flames to new love interests.
The series is incredibly easy to watch and I was hooked by the storyline. The romance is just as strong as Heated Rivalry, as it was very passionate and fiery between Adriana
Heartstopper
Tell Me Lies
- Season: 3
- Episodes: 26 (across all seasons: 10 in S1, 8 in S2, 8 in S3)
- Themes: romance, toxic relationships,
- Is it still on air? No — the series concluded with its third season early in 2026
Helmed and created by Meaghan Oppenheimer, Tell Me Lies is a binge-worthy drama.
It takes the perspective of a couple who met in college in New York. The series features secrets, obsession, and messy relationships.
It’s really intense and addictive—this show is for anyone craving a suspenseful teen drama.
Degrassi: The Next Generation
- Seasons: 13
- Episodes: 385 total
- Themes: Teen issues, friendship, sexuality, family pressure, mental health, drugs, and coming-of-age challenges
- Is it still on air? No
This is an early‑noughties show that really spoke to a lot of us. It was quite progressive if you think about it, dealing with issues such as sexuality, drugs, abortion, mental health, and so many other things that teens face.
The cast includes original main characters such as Sarah Barrable‑Tishauer (Liberty Van Zandt), Daniel Clark (Sean Cameron), Lauren Collins (Paige Michalchuk), Ryan Cooley (James Tiberius “J.T.” Yorke), Jake Goldsbie (Toby Isaacs), Aubrey Graham (Jimmy Brooks), Shane Kippel (Gavin “Spinner” Mason), Miriam McDonald (Emma Nelson), Cassie Steele (Manuela “Manny” Santos), Melissa McIntyre (Ashley Kerwin), Christina Schmidt (Terri McGreggor) and Stefan Brogren (Archie “Snake” Simpson).
