Jacob Tierney Adapting ‘Heated Rivalry,’ Gay Hockey Romance Novel for TV

Jacob Tierney is directing a TV adaptation of Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry, a gay hockey romance novel, for the Crave streamer.

Tierney, a veteran actor and director, is shooting the six episode series in southern Ontario. Hudson Williams is playing pro hockey star Shane Hollander of the Montreal Voyageurs and Connor Storrie has the role of Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov.

Both are rivals on ice but share a secret away from the hockey rink that could change their lives. A synopsis from the producers reads: “Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two confused teenagers at 17 evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self- discovery. Over the next eight years, as they chase glory on the ice, they struggle to navigate their feelings off of it. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there’s room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile — and powerful — as real love.”

François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Sophie Nélisse, Dylan Walsh, Christina Chang and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova round out the ensemble cast. The series is from Accent Aigu Entertainment, run by Tierney and Brendan Brady.

“Heated Rivalry had me hooked from the very first chapter. At its core, it’s a beautiful love story with characters who feel real and so deeply human. Hudson and Connor are bringing Shane and Ilya to life with all the heart, heat, and chemistry that made the book such a fan obsession. This series is exactly what we had in mind when we started Accent Agui — bold, resonant storytelling with global reach. We’re beyond excited to bring it to the screen.” Tierney said in his own statement.

Besides directing episodes of Letterkenny and Shoresy, Tierney also writes and directs films, and as an actor appeared in Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways. His other credits include This Is My Father and Poor White Trash. Teirney also directed and wrote Good Neighbors, which premiered at TIFF, Preggoland and The Trotsky.

Heated Rivalry is executive produced by Tierney and Brady, with Rachel Reid serving as a consulting producer. Bell Media is handling international distribution rights.

Williams is repped by RED Management, Storrie is repped by Sovereign Talent Group and Marina Masowietsky. Arnaud is repped by IAG and Anonymous Content, Robbie G.K. by The Talent House and Nélisse is repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Walsh is repped by IAG and Bob McGowan, Chang is repped by Strand Entertainment and Kharlamova by Hero Artists and Brave Artists Management. Tierney is repped by CAA, 3 Arts and GGA, while Accent Aigu Entertainment is repped by CAA.