Heartstopper Stars Still Haven’t Seen Heated Rivalry: “We Probably Have Very Similar Experiences”

Kit Connor and Joe Locke, the beloved leads of Netflix’s Heartstopper, have admitted they still haven’t watched the hit Canadian drama Heated Rivalry. The revelation came during a lighthearted conversation at BookCon in April, highlighting how different the two shows are despite both being deeply queer and warmly received by audiences.

“Actually, I haven’t seen Heated Rivalry,” Connor told Entertainment Weekly, speaking alongside his co-star Joe Locke, who replied, “I haven’t seen it either.” The actor added that he has been working and living like “a bit of a monk” lately, with several upcoming projects, including a role in the fantasy epic Elden Ring, which has been shooting in the UK. Locke agreed, saying he would love to meet the stars of Heated Rivalry, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. “It feels very like we probably have very similar experiences of that instantaneous craze,” he said. “And it’s great to see another queer show explode.”

Heartstopper first captured hearts on Netflix in 2022 with its warm, cozy coming-of-age romance. Locke plays Charlie, a gentle, shy student dealing with anxiety, depression, and bullying, while Connor portrays Nick, a popular jock learning to come to terms with his bisexuality. Their slow-burn relationship became a global sensation, and the series has been celebrated for its gentle humour, beautiful performances, and honest portrayal of young love. The final movie, Heartstopper Forever, is set to release this weekend on Netflix, bringing the story to a close after four seasons and an animated special.

Heated Rivalry, by contrast, is a much bolder, steamy drama that has taken the internet by storm. Adapted from Rachel Reid’s novels, it follows two rival professional hockey players — Ilya Rozanov (Hudson Williams) and Shane Hollander (Connor Storrie) — who begin a secret, intensely physical relationship. The show has been praised for its frankness about desire, the athleticism of its stars, and its refusal to shy away from sex scenes that feel both hot and meaningful. Season 1 exploded in popularity at the end of 2025, and Season 2 is expected to start filming soon, with a projected premiere in spring 2027.

During their BookCon chat, Connor and Locke talked about the differences between the two shows. Heartstopper is often described as cozy and heartfelt, focusing on friendship, first love, and emotional growth. Heated Rivalry is far more explicit and adult, exploring the physical and emotional intensity of a secret romance between two very different men. Yet both series have struck a chord with queer audiences who crave representation that feels honest and unapologetic.

Connor and Locke expressed genuine excitement at the idea of discovering Heated Rivalry and meeting its stars. They spoke about how both shows deal with the challenges of being young, queer, and in the spotlight, even if the styles are completely different. Locke said he has been living “a bit of a monk” mode because of his busy schedule, which is why he hasn’t yet tuned into Heated Rivalry. Connor added that he has several big projects on the horizon, including Elden Ring, and that he would love to sit down with Storrie and Williams one day.

The conversation made it clear that both shows have their own special place in queer television. Heartstopper has been praised for its gentle humour and emotional depth, while Heated Rivalry has been celebrated for its bold storytelling and unapologetic sexuality. Together, they represent two very different sides of the queer experience, and the fact that fans are discovering them alongside each other shows how far the genre has come.

For many viewers, the appeal of both series lies in their honesty. Heartstopper never shies away from the awkwardness and joy of first love, while Heated Rivalry embraces the raw, physical reality of desire without apology. Connor and Locke’s comments at BookCon showed that they respect each other’s work and recognise that both stories deserve to be told.

The fact that neither Connor nor Locke has watched Heated Rivalry yet adds to the intrigue. Fans are already speculating about how the two shows might compare, and the stars’ admission that they haven’t seen it has only sparked more conversation. Whether they will binge the series together in the future or meet the Heated Rivalry cast one day remains to be seen, but their comments suggest they are open to exploring new queer stories.

Heartstopper has been a cultural phenomenon for years, bringing millions of young people into the queer world and making them feel seen. The series’ final chapter, Heartstopper Forever, is set to release this weekend and will give fans one last chance to revisit Charlie and Nick’s story. At the same time, Heated Rivalry continues to gain new fans every day, and its bold approach to sex and romance has made it a standout in the streaming landscape.

The conversation between Connor and Locke at BookCon served as a beautiful reminder that queer storytelling is thriving across many different styles. Some shows focus on tenderness and growth, while others celebrate intensity and desire. Both Heartstopper and Heated Rivalry have carved out their own space, and it is exciting to see fans discovering them alongside each other.

As the world waits for the release of Heartstopper Forever and the filming of Heated Rivalry Season 2, it is clear that queer television is in a golden era. Shows like these prove that love — whether it is slow and gentle or fast and fiery — deserves to be told with honesty and heart.

The stars’ comments also highlighted how much they appreciate each other’s work. Connor and Locke both spoke warmly about the importance of representation and the responsibility that comes with playing queer characters. Their conversation made it clear that they see their shows as part of the same larger movement of telling stories that matter.

Whether or not Connor and Locke ever get around to watching Heated Rivalry remains to be seen, but their enthusiasm for the show’s stars suggests they would love to meet them one day. The fact that both series have exploded in popularity shows that there is room for many different kinds of queer stories. Some focus on romance, others on friendship, and still others on the raw, physical reality of desire. All of them deserve to be seen.

As the queer television landscape continues to grow, it is clear that stories like Heartstopper and Heated Rivalry are helping to shape the future. They prove that love can be told in many different ways, and that queer joy — whether it is gentle or fiery — is something worth celebrating. The stars’ conversation at BookCon was a beautiful reminder of that, and it is clear that both shows have a long and bright future ahead of them.