Gay Drama Series 'Heated Rivalry' Defies Russian Ban to Become Surprise Streaming Phenomenon
The gay ice hockey television drama "Heated Rivalry" has evolved from a North American word-of-mouth success into a genuine global sensation, catapulting its previously unknown lead actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, to international fame. Since its premiere in December 2025, the show's stars have experienced a meteoric rise, appearing at the Golden Globes, modelling on Milan's catwalks, and even carrying the Olympic torch for the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
An Unexpected Cultural Triumph in a Hostile Climate
As the series launches formally across Europe, it has achieved an unprecedented and unexpected level of popularity within Russia. This success is particularly striking given the country's legal landscape, where homosexuality is effectively outlawed and the show has no official release or distribution. Based on Rachel Reid's 2019 novel, the programme follows the secret, decade-long romantic relationship between Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander (Williams) and his Russian rival, Ilya Rozanov (Storrie), blending a slow-burn narrative with explicit intimate scenes.
Mikhail Zygar, a journalist and author who, like the character Rozanov, grew up as a closeted gay man in the former Soviet Union, views the series as deeply inspirational. He believes it serves not only the LGBTQ+ community but all Russian viewers by "normalising the discourse" around same-sex relationships. "It shows that it is OK. That people can fall in love and it's so beautiful," Zygar stated. "The popularity of this TV show definitely may change some perception from the broader audience."
Navigating Sanctions and Strict Censorship Laws
Western sanctions on official streaming platforms make accessing Western television challenging for Russian audiences. Despite this, and in defiance of anti-gay propaganda laws that could lead to severe punishment for sharing such content, viewers are actively seeking out the series through unofficial and illegal platforms. On Kinopoisk, Russia's primary film and TV rating site similar to IMDb, "Heated Rivalry" boasts an exceptional 8.6 rating. This score marks it as the highest-ranked television show of all time according to Russian users, surpassing critically acclaimed series like "Breaking Bad" and "Game of Thrones."
However, official acceptance for content like "Heated Rivalry" remains a distant prospect. The LGBTQ+ community in Russia has faced escalating legal and social pressure for over a decade, a situation intensified since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. President Vladimir Putin has framed the conflict as a battle against Western attempts to undermine Russia's "traditional family values," explicitly linking this to the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights.
A Legal Landscape of Prohibition and Persecution
Current Russian legislation prohibits any positive or neutral depiction of gay and transgender individuals. Gender-affirming medical care and legal gender changes are banned. Following a Supreme Court ruling in November 2022 that outlawed the so-called "international LGBT movement" as extremist, individuals associated with the LGBTQ+ community now face potential imprisonment for up to six years.
Reflecting on this harsh reality, Zygar noted the stark contrast with the show's narrative. "It's really hard to believe in some kind of happy ending, as we see in the show, in Russia's reality today," he remarked. "Russia continues its brutal, aggressive war against Ukraine. There is no perspective of the end of this war. There is no perspective for a lot of LGBTQ+ people who live in Russia... a lot of them have the only possibility to leave the country."
Conservative Backlash and Systematic Censorship
The show's content has provoked criticism from conservative factions within Russia. Georgy Soldatov, head of the Sorok Sorokov centre in Moscow, an organisation aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church, expressed horror at the gay sexual content. "I found out that these scenes are presented almost in every episode and I was horrified why and how this video ended up on our Russian platforms," he stated. Soldatov confirmed he had petitioned the Prosecutor General's Office against those posting the content, labelling it "the propaganda of untraditional sexual relationship," a classification that mandates censorship.
This has led to widespread censorship practices. Russian media reports frequently detail dialogue being redubbed to eliminate LGBTQ+ references. Examples include two Russian streaming services cutting a transgender character from "Twin Peaks" and another removing scenes depicting a gay character from "The Sopranos." In a stark parallel, Russian authorities launched a criminal probe last year against managers of a Moscow publishing house over books depicting LGBTQ+ relations, resulting in raids and arrests.
A Symbol of Resistance and Contrasting Global Trends
In stark contrast to the repression in Russia, the United States has witnessed a significant surge in LGBTQ+ romance sales. According to Brenna Conner, an analyst for Circana, which tracks 85% of US print retail sales, "In the five weeks ending Jan. 10, 2026, LGBTQ+ romance sales surged more than 100% in unit sales compared to the same period the previous year, with 'Heated Rivalry' leading the growth."
Ultimately, Zygar interprets the show's underground popularity in Russia as a powerful act of resistance and a form of moral support for the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasises the significance of people watching it despite immense obstacles. "It shows us that they're trying to remain normal, they're trying to remain resistant to the attempt of Putin's regime to brainwash them," he said. "They are not brainwashed; they are not ready to agree with the propaganda and with official anti-LGBT mantras. They live their life, and they watch what they want to watch." The success of "Heated Rivalry" in such a hostile environment stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the human desire for connection and representation.
