Hollywood executives pressed to cut gay sex scenes from HBO's Heated Rivalry, creator says
The Canadian series, based on a viral BookTok hit about rival hockey players, became a hit on HBO Max after resisting an exec’s demand to delay the romance.
Hollywood executives pressed to cut gay sex scenes in HBO's Heated Rivalry, according to creator Jacob Tierney. Tierney told Slate that a network bigwig suggested the male leads should hold off on consummating their romance until the second season. He recalled: I was like, "What are you f***ing talking about?!" These books are porn. You think that the audience is here despite that? They’re here for this. This is what they want.
Since the November 28 premiere, Heated Rivalry has been one of HBO Max's most-watched shows and a trending topic on social media. The Canadian series, which originated on Crave, follows two rival hockey players who fall into a secret, steamy romance that spans across several years. Its rise has been attributed largely to word-of-mouth rather than a big marketing push.
Tierney said he was glad he trusted his gut and went with the sexier style. "I wanted to make premium smut," he joked. The writer-director says he was drawn to the material after discovering Rachel Reid's books, which were published as a viral BookTok hit. Reid's novels provided the blueprint for the on-screen romance, and Tierney has said he was initially surprised by how unreserved the source material was.
The show has stirred mixed reviews; some critics find the series shallow and overly sexualized, while others praise its boldness and chemistry between the leads. On social media, fans have debated the show's boundaries and artistic ambitions, further fueling its viral status. Tierney also referenced broader industry dynamics, noting that the project survived executive pushback and public scrutiny to become a defining example of a BookTok-to-screen adaptation.
Tierney told Rolling Stone that he was first drawn to Reid's books and was stunned by how "smutty" they were. "I was stunned by how 'smutty' they were," he said, reflecting on the source material's explicit tone and its appeal for readers and viewers alike.
The broader conversation around Heated Rivalry underscores ongoing tensions in Hollywood over how far networks should go in pursuing provocative material for streaming audiences. Despite criticisms that the show leans heavily on explicit scenes, its rapid ascent on HBO Max demonstrates how audience enthusiasm for a transgressive romance can propel a lesser-known adaptation into a cultural conversation.