Can’t wait until season 2 of Heated Rivalry? Australian fans will have the chance to revisit Shane and Ilya’s story on the big screen this December, with a special five-hour cinema marathon bringing the entire first season back for one day only.
Presented by Madman Entertainment, the special event will see all six episodes of the show’s first season screened back-to-back on December 5th, with an intermission between episodes three and four. Running for nearly five hours, the marathon will give audiences the opportunity to revisit the series in cinemas a year after its original premiere.
Created by Jacob Tierney and adapted from Rachel Reid’s bestselling novels, Heated Rivalry follows rival professional ice hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose secret relationship develops over several years as they navigate their careers and feelings for one another.
The cast also includes François Arnaud as Scott Hunter, Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady, Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Shane’s parents, Yuna and David Hollander, Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana.
The cinema event comes as anticipation builds for the show’s second season, which is expected to premiere in April 2027. Filming began in Toronto earlier this year, with Tierney previously urging fans not to visit production locations and to give the cast and crew space to work.
The upcoming season will adapt Reid’s The Long Game, with elements of Role Model also set to feature. Tierney has previously teased a more serious direction for Shane and Ilya’s relationship as they navigate life together beyond their secret romance.
Several new cast members have also been confirmed, including Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees and Priyanka, alongside previously announced additions Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
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HBO Max, which streams the first season in Australia, has already secured the local rights to season 2.
Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment, the series was written and directed by Tierney, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Brendan Brady. Reid is credited as a consulting producer. The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, and is available in more than 130 countries.
The Heated Rivalry marathon will take place in select Australian cinemas on December 5th, with tickets available now here.
From Variety Australia
