7 Shows Like ‘Heated Rivalry’ If You’re Thirsting For More Sensual, Sweet, or Sexy Watches

Who knew hockey could be so sexy? Oh wait, everyone. With episodes first dropping Thanksgiving week, Canadian sports drama Heated Rivalry took the internet and the streaming world by storm in just over a month after being acquired by HBO Max. Based on the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid, fans fell head over heels for the secret love affair between Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), two professional hockey players navigating their on-ice rivalry and passionate off-the-rink relationship. 

The final episode of Season 1 premiered on December 27, answering the long-awaited question of whether Shane and Ilya’s romance is discovered, and if either one of them let the L-word slip. If you haven’t yet tuned into the hit show, what are you waiting for? The series remains number one of the streamer’s Top 10 Series Today list, and is full of all the yearning and steam one could ask for. 

If you’ve finished the six episodes, good news, Heated Rivalry is already green-lit for Season 2! Williams and Corrie confirmed the renewal in an Instagram video, promising the next installment to be, “Hotter, Wetter, Longer.” Until that delightfully promising time comes, DECIDER has you covered with 7 more watches to stream in the interim of more sweaty hockey players: 

1. If you’re very specifically looking for another spicy romance spanning over periods of time based on a book, Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer star in this miniseries about two men, Tim and Hawkins respectively, engaging in a torrid affair throughout the volatile history of 20th century American society. Based on the novel of the same name, Tim and Hawkins spend decades concealing their relationship while trying to make sense of the turbulent times around them, including the Vietnam War protests, Lavender Scare, AIDS crisis and more. 

   watch fellow travelers on paramount+

2. A key component of Heated Rivalry is how Shane and Ilya deal with the pressures of fame, constantly being in the public eye and having to hide their true selves. This Swedish series similarly follows young Prince Wilhelm starting studies at a prestigious boarding school following a scandal. Though coming from completely different backgrounds, Wilhelm develops feelings for fellow student Simon. As their relationship blossoms, the adolescent characters grapple with real-world issues of mental health, homophobia, peer pressure and societal expectations. 

   watch young royals on netflix

4. How does a show about two Irish teenagers compare to the smutty affairs of Heated Rivalry? Well, exactly that. This recommendation is for you horndogs out there. Jokes aside, Normal People similarly delves into the story of two people messily figuring out their deeply intimate and personal relationship, to put it lightly. Like Shane and Ilya, Marianne (Daisy Edgar Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) weave in and out of each other’s lives over the course of a few years trying to understand who they are and what they are to each other. The drama and skin is on par, though be ready for more lingering notes of depression. 

   watch normal people on hulu

5. Based on the 1992 film of the same name, the sadly short-lived series follows the formation of the Rockford Peaches– a professional women’s baseball team– against the backdrop of WWII in America. Carson Shaw (Abbi Jacobson) dares to pursue her dream of being a baseball player while her husband is off to war, and Maxine Chapman (Chanté Adams) loves the sport, but faces barriers being accepted onto any team as a Black woman. When the two meet, sparks fly and history is made. Also starring familiar faces like Nick Offerman and D’Arcy Carden, A League of Their Own is your next queer sports drama. 

   watch a league of their own on prime video

6. Fair warning, Looking is two seasons worth of millennial hopecore. While it doesn’t quite replicate the steaminess of Heated Rivalry, this 2014 dramedy focuses on the complexities of modern, queer relationships in young adulthood. Three gay best friends Patrick, Dom and Agustin, all in very different phases of life, attempt to navigate the sometimes muddy waters of love, careers and friendship. Being the first HBO series to center on the lives of gay men, the trio collectively embark on journeys of self-exploration in the setting of San Francisco’s vibrant communities. 

   watch looking on hbo max

7. Enter Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer): Like Ilya and Shane, Cameron is forced to hide who he truly is. To escape relentless bullying, Cameron joins his friend Ray (Liam Oh) in enlisting in the Marine Corps. Except, that’s also not the best environment for a closested teenager. Safe to say, the tyranny from those around him doesn’t stop. Over the course of time, Cameron bonds with his fellow recruits while understanding his own identity and purpose. A classic military misfits premise to follow the ending of Heated Rivalry. 

   watch boots on netflix

8. Okay, I’ll admit Heartstopper is rather tame compared to the hockey drama to say the least. But it’s still a fair comparison, and maybe even a needed palette cleanser! Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) is navigating school as the only openly gay student when he develops a crush on rugby lad Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). Soon, their friendship becomes deeper and more romantic than either of them anticipated. It’s sweet, wholesome and slightly cringe, but you don’t even seem to mind given how cute it is. And hey, I myself only began this series for the first time last year, so if you haven’t watched it yet, this is your sign. It’s perfect timing before the finale movie comes out!

   watch heartstopper on netflix

Claire Waheed is a recently graduated freelance writer currently based in Texas. She loves all things pop culture and new adventures.