Fans of 'Heated Rivalry' flock to New York as show sparks real-world events

Fans of the Canadian hockey romance series 'Heated Rivalry' have been turning up in public spaces in New York as stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams promote the show, with about 100 people gathering under the NBC Studios marquee ahead of Storrie's appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers.

The series follows rival hockey players Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams), who hookup and fall in love while keeping their relationship secret. The show, based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers, was produced for Crave on a relatively low budget, filmed around Ontario and was licensed by HBO just before its Canadian premiere.

Casey Bloys told The New York Times he knew it would "make some noise" but did not anticipate the broader phenomenon; fans have camped overnight for tickets and Fallon likened the fanfare around Williams to Beatlemania. The offscreen impact has included tattoo studios offering flash designs with show phrases such as "stupid Canadian wolf bird," "1221" and "you look pretty," a nationwide Club90s "Heated RivalRave" tour (83 shows and counting) at venues including Webster Hall and House of Blues, trivia nights, watch parties, costume contests and nearly 100 SoulCycle "Heated Rivalry" rides scheduled by the end of the month.

Fan-organized events have also multiplied: Josie Hovis circulated fliers for a Thompson Square Park singalong of t.A.T.u.'s "All the Things She Said," which drew nearly 50 people for three minutes and 33 seconds of singing.

Key Topics

Culture, Heated Rivalry, Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams, Crave, Hbo