François Arnaud Shares His Thoughts on Why “Heated Rivalry” Couldn’t Happen in the U.S.
Although some fans of Heated Rivalry express disappointment over the show’s ineligibility for U.S. awards, one of its stars contends that the Canadian series could not have been produced in Hollywood.
François Arnaud, who portrays gay hockey player Scott Hunter in the Crave/HBO Max series, emphasized its importance as a breakthrough for the industry. He noted that the creator, Jacob Tierney, advocated passionately to adapt Rachel Reid’s Game Changer books, ensuring the project aligned with his artistic vision.
“I don’t think this show could’ve been made in the US,” Arnaud stated during an appearance on CBS Mornings. He reflected on prior experiences with a major streaming platform that inundated the project with numerous suggestions. Ultimately, Tierney chose to move forward in Canada, accepting a smaller budget to create the show he envisioned.
Arnaud believes this decision resonated with audiences, asserting, “And I think, in a way, it’s a huge lesson for Hollywood. Like, this is a ‘niche show’ with no movie stars, and it’s a much bigger sensation.”
He also revealed that executives at the show’s former streaming service proposed restrictions, suggesting that “‘No kissing until episode five,’” to which Tierney firmly disagreed. “Well that’s not what we’re doing!” Arnaud recalled.
While he acknowledged that there were challenges during production, he praised the support from the team at Crave, stating, “They didn’t want it toned down at all.”
With Reid set to release a new book in September, Tierney has begun planning for Season 2 of Heated Rivalry, which recently received a renewal announcement.
