The adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novel, *Heated Rivalry*, into a television series has sparked much discussion among fans. While the show maintains the core narrative of fierce rivals Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) falling in love, it introduces several notable changes that distinguish it from the book.
One of the most significant alterations involves the names of the hockey teams. In the series, Ilya competes for the Boston Raiders while Shane represents the Montreal Metros. This differs from the book, where they play for the Boston Bears and Montreal Voyageurs, respectively. The change appears to stem from licensing issues with real NHL team names, which were modeled after the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.
Another important modification is the portrayal of Ilya’s past relationship with Sasha. In the book, Sasha is only referred to as the son of Ilya’s former coach, with no direct interaction in the present timeline. The show, however, features Sasha (played by Kaden Connors) as a character who briefly reconnects with Ilya, highlighting his past experiences and burgeoning queer identity in Russia. Their encounter in a bathroom scene serves to emphasize Ilya’s shifting affections from his past to his current love, Shane.
The adaptation also sees a change in the name of Ilya’s brother. In the book, he is identified as Andrei, while in the show, he is referred to as Alexei (played by Slavic Rogozine). Jacob Tierney, the show’s writer-director, commented on this alteration, noting, “I screwed that up… that’s on Rachel Reid, that she didn’t clock that Andrei became Alexei.”
Another memorable scene in the series involves Shane dancing with his girlfriend, Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse). While the book presents a moment of jealousy from Ilya as Shane dances alone, the show adds a dynamic twist by placing Shane between Rose and her gay best friend Miles (Devante Senior). This change not only enhances the scene’s visual appeal but also serves as a catalyst for revealing Shane’s location to Ilya.
The emotional weight of Ilya’s phone call to Shane also differs between the two formats. In the show, Ilya delivers a heartfelt confession of love in Russian after losing a family member. His words are far more explicit than in the book, where the sentiment is conveyed more subtly. The show’s version features Ilya stating, “I love her. But not like I love you… I’m so in love with you.” This contrast highlights the depth of Ilya’s feelings and adds dramatic tension to their relationship.
Finally, one of the most significant omissions from the series is the epilogue found in the book. While the show concludes with Ilya and Shane sharing their relationship with Shane’s parents, the book offers a glimpse into their future, set 16 months later. In this epilogue, Ilya plays for Ottawa, and Shane has come out to his teammates, signifying a maturation in their relationship. The couple even holds a press conference to announce the formation of the Irina Foundation, named after Ilya’s late mother, marking a poignant closure to their rivalry and romance.
As fans continue to engage with *Heated Rivalry*, these differences highlight the nuances of adapting beloved literary works for the screen. The alterations may reflect creative choices that enhance character development and narrative flow, while also inviting speculation about potential future developments in the series.
