The Emmy eligibility rules have produced another curious contrast: HBO Max's hit romantic drama Heated Rivalry has been ruled out of the US Emmys, while Netflix's Lord of the Flies remains a major contender. Both shows were acquired by American streamers shortly before their overseas premieres, yet only one meets the Television Academy's criteria.
Heated Rivalry, a Canadian hockey series created by Jacob Tierney, became a worldwide success and broke Canadian Screen Awards records with 16 wins, including best drama series and best lead performer for Hudson Williams. It also collected a Peabody, a GLAAD Award and a TV Academy Honors Award. However, because it is produced by Toronto's Accent Aigu Entertainment for Crave and distributed by Canadian conglomerate Bell Media with no US ownership, it fails the Emmys' foreign production eligibility test.
By contrast, Lord of the Flies, the BBC-Stan co-production adapted by Jack Thorne, qualifies because its British production company, Eleven, is owned by American studio Sony Pictures Television, which also handles US distribution. The distinction echoes an earlier case: Fleabag's first season was ineligible when Prime Video acquired it in 2016, but Amazon Studios' co-production involvement made the second season eligible, leading to six Emmy wins. British shows made for American platforms have also thrived, including Netflix's Baby Reindeer.
No such rescue is planned for Heated Rivalry. Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, told Deadline in January that his company has no intention of becoming a co-producer. "There is no reason," he said. "This is obviously a very successful creative collaboration between Jacob and Crave. I see no reason why we would be involved creatively."
The series could still compete at the International Emmys, where it would face Rivals, last year's drama series winner. The Disney+/Hulu show, starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Alex Hassell, was submitted to the International Emmys rather than the US awards despite being commissioned by an American streamer. It won drama series, and Disney is reported to be sticking with that strategy for season two, whose reviews have been even stronger.
