From sizzling encounters between Shane and Ilya to the introduction of more Game Changer characters, these are The Long Game moments that demand to be adapted for the screen.
Words by Jordan Robledo
Design by Chyna Sudbury
Rarely does a piece of media come along that’s unapologetically LGBTQIA+-led and a mainstream force. Enter Heated Rivalry, which has dominated the pop-culture zeitgeist since its November 2025 premiere.
Created by Jacob Tiernay, the adaptation of Rachel Reid’s beloved Game Changer series brings to life the torrid, secret romance between professional hockey players and sworn rivals, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Tiernay’s visionary direction, combined with a faithful adaptation of the source material, earned widespread acclaim, as did the casting of Williams and Storrie, who have since been catapulted to global superstardom. Heated Rivalry also made TV history when its fifth episode became the highest-rated television episode of 2025, tying Breaking Bad’s 'Ozymandias' as the highest-rated episode ever at the time.
As many LGBTQIA+ viewers know, rave reviews and record-breaking ratings don’t always guarantee a renewal (looking at you, Netflix). Fortunately, Crave and HBO Max greenlit Heated Rivalry for a second season in December. Details are being kept under wraps, as the first season only wrapped on 26 December, but we do know the new episodes will explore Shane and Ilya’s evolving love story even further, and will be based on Reid’s sequel, The Long Game.
With Heated Rivalry still etched into our brains (and hearts), and Williams and Storrie everywhere, we’ve put together a list of the scenes, moments and characters from The Long Game we’re most excited to see in season two. Read on, and let us know: do you agree, disagree, or have your own wishlist for what’s next?
At the start of The Long Game, we’re lured into thinking our two favourite fictional hockey players are getting down and dirty, which wouldn’t be a bad way to open a scene, if you ask us. But it’s later revealed that Shane and Ilya were only taking part in a sprint race, which ends with Ilya winning and a flirty exchange about short shorts and delicately placed cross necklaces. While some fans might see this as a nothing sandwich, we’d love to see season two kick off with it. The scene highlights the playful side of Shane and Ilya’s relationship, similar to what we saw in episodes five and six of season one, and, of course, gives us another opportunity to see Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams shirtless and in short shorts. Am I right?
