Brady and the show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 5
Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty; Sabrina Lantos/HBO
NEED TO KNOW
- Heated Rivalry executive producer Brendan Brady and creator Jacob Tierney spoke exclusively to PEOPLE at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards about fans’ reaction to the show
- Brady revealed that fans send NSFW gifts to production
- Heated Rivalry won Outstanding New TV Series at the event
Heated Rivalry fans can’t help but bring the heat.
Speaking with PEOPLE at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on March 5, the romantic drama series’ executive producer Brendan Brady and creator Jacob Tierney discussed the Heated Rivalry fandom and some expected gifts from fans.
Tierney, 46, said the show has been “so lucky” to receive “such nice” comments such as “moving” words to acknowledgement of “how the show has made [fans] feel seen or improved a relationship in their lives.”
“They say really, really beautiful things to us,” he said. “I don't think I can think of just one thing, but we're on the receiving end of a lot of love from a lot of people. And it's very meaningful.”
Brady chimed in to reveal they’ve also received gifts — and some are NSFW. “We're also on the receiving end of receiving a lot of free gifts, including butt plugs. So that's probably the … Wow,” he said.
Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty
Tierney reassured PEOPLE that they’ve also been gifted handmade items, including “amazing cookies,” blankets and “a lot of bracelets.”
Brady added, “But the butt plugs were definitely the most not safe for work,” and Tierney chimed in, “Like a dog with a bone.”
At the March 5 event, Heated Rivalry won with Outstanding New TV Series.
Their win comes after Tierney confirmed in February that Heated Rivalry season 2 is expected to premiere in April 2027.
Credit: Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max
The steamy LGBTQ+ drama is based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series and was created for Canadian streaming service Crave.
Heated Rivalry follows Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), a Canadian hockey superstar, and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), a cocky Russian phenom, whose fierce on-ice rivalry begins when they meet as teenagers.
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Season 1 of Heated Rivalry is available to stream on HBO Max.
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