The success of Heated Rivalry has been undeniable, launching the careers of actors like Connor StorrieHudson Williams and François Arnaud. However, Hollywood’s response to this hit has been unexpected. Instead of capitalizing on the queer romance genre, the industry seems to have taken a different lesson from Rivalry’s success.
Comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster recently highlighted this shift in an interview with the Provincetown Independent. He noted that while Hollywood typically churns out copycat projects following a hit, the response to Heated Rivalry has been a surge in hockey content—none of it queer.
Hollywood’s Hockey Boom
Following the massive success of Heated Rivalry, Prime Video premiered Off Campus a heterosexual ice hockey romance that broke records for the streamer. Netflix is also adapting the novel Icebreakers another heterosexual ice hockey romance. The trend doesn’t stop at scripted content; there are also several hockey documentaries in the works, including one from Jay Baruchel about in-game fighting and a Prime Video docuseries Hometown Giants about a small-town junior hockey team owned by Michael Bublé and Drew Scott.
Booster pointed out the irony of this shift: “There are now six hockey shows in development, none of them gay, and it’s like, guys, I think it wasn’t the hockey that was the big issue.” This observation raises questions about Hollywood’s priorities and its willingness to embrace queer narratives.
The Chilling Effect of Political Climate
Booster attributes this shift to a top-down issue, specifically the queerphobia emanating from the second Trump administration. He argues that the current political climate has made Hollywood executives risk-averse. “People are really frightened and risk-averse right now because of this administration and what we’ve seen in the way of censorship or retaliation,” Booster stated.
The GOP has been particularly vocal in its opposition to LGBTQ+ content, especially shows focusing on transgender issues. Earlier this year, GOP senator Josh Hawley used a hearing regarding a potential Netflix-Warner Bros. merger to grill Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos about the streaming service’s children’s programming and its promotion of “transgender ideology.” This political pressure has led to the cancellation of several shows featuring LGBTQ+ characters in 2026, resulting in fewer out characters on TV.
The Power of Queer Moments
Despite the shift towards hockey content, the success of Heated Rivalry continues to resonate. The show has broken records for HBO even after its season 1 finale. This success underscores the power of fujoshi moments—moments that appeal to fans of queer romance—and highlights the potential for more diverse storytelling in Hollywood.
As the industry navigates this political climate, it’s crucial for Hollywood to recognize the value of queer narratives. The success of Heated Rivalry is a testament to the audience’s appetite for diverse and inclusive content. By prioritizing hockey over queer romance, Hollywood risks missing out on the very stories that have proven to resonate with audiences.
