Jacob Tierney Wanted to Portray Queer Joy and “Something F*ing Horny” in Heated Rivalry – And He Wasn’t Afraid to Say So**

Jacob Tierney, the creator of the hit TV series Heated Rivalry, opened up about his vision for the show during a lively conversation with author Rachel Reid at BookCon in April. When asked by star Connor Storrie what made the story so easy for him to connect with and execute, Tierney didn’t hold back. He revealed that he wanted to create something that celebrated queer joy while also delivering “something f***ing horny.”

“I love these books,” Tierney told the audience. “I wanted to do queer joy. I wanted to do something f***ing horny, too.” He explained that he felt the industry had taken a strange approach to intimacy on screen, with much of the sex depicted on television and in movies often feeling violent, unpleasant, or coercive. “We don’t get that,” he said. “I feel like there’s been this weird divorce of sex from art for a while. And sex that you see on TV and movies is always sex nobody wants.”

Tierney was clear about his goal for Heated Rivalry: he wanted the sex to feel authentic and meaningful. The series, adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, follows two professional hockey players on opposing teams — Ilya Rozanov (played by Hudson Williams) and Shane Hollander (played by Connor Storrie) — who fall in love and begin a secret relationship. “The reason that I loved Heated Rivalry, specifically, is because the sex tells the story,” Tierney explained. “And it felt like I could really use that. This was not going to be gratuitous… And who cares if it is?”

He went on to say that the intimate scenes were never just for titillation. Instead, they served as a powerful storytelling tool. “This sex is architecting this relationship through 10 years,” Tierney continued. “That’s how they know each other. The sex is when they’re allowed to be honest with each other and when they’re allowed to be vulnerable. So, the sex is telling you, it’s giving you story information.” The candid admission that he wanted both joy and heat made it clear that Heated Rivalry was never going to shy away from sexuality or emotional depth.

The conversation also touched on the show’s upcoming second season, which is expected to premiere in April 2027. Tierney revealed that he is already hard at work, calling the plot of this story one that is driven by emotion rather than traditional beats. “The plot of this story is emotion,” he said. “The traditional beats of the story, while they matter, don’t matter anywhere nearly as much as the feeling that you’re left with. Because what you want is to keep following the emotional heartbeat of this relationship.”

Tierney also emphasised that he took romance seriously. “I want to dig deeper,” he explained. “Because everything in her book, there is the foundation of a very real and understandable queer relationship. And I didn’t want to shy away from it. I wanted to dig into it.” The show is set to continue the story from Reid’s sixth novel, The Long Game, which picks up after Shane and Ilya have been together for ten years. Ilya, played by Williams, wants to go public with their relationship, while Shane, played by Storrie, is still learning how to navigate life as a gay man in a professional sports world.

The panel discussion at BookCon showed that Tierney is deeply invested in telling stories that honour queer relationships without reducing them to sex or stereotypes. His comments highlighted a desire to move beyond the limited ways intimacy is often portrayed in media, instead focusing on the emotional and physical connection between characters who truly care for each other.

The series has already gained a dedicated following for its blend of sports drama, slow-burn romance, and raw emotional honesty. Viewers have praised the show for treating its characters with respect and for exploring the complex realities of being gay in professional sports. Tierney’s confirmation that he wanted to portray both queer joy and heat has only added to the excitement around the second season.

As the show approaches its next chapter, fans are eagerly anticipating how Ilya and Shane will navigate the challenges of being together in the public eye. The trailer and first season have set a high bar, and Tierney’s words make it clear that Season 2 will continue to focus on the emotional core of the relationship rather than cheap thrills.

The creator’s comments also serve as a reminder that great television can come from a genuine desire to tell stories that matter. Tierney’s approach to Heated Rivalry — one that blends romance, sports, and emotional honesty — has made the show a standout in recent years. His panel appearance at BookCon gave fans a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the series, and his enthusiasm for the material was palpable.

As Season 2 approaches, it is clear that Heated Rivalry will continue to push boundaries while staying true to the heart of the story. Whether it is the slow-burn romance between Ilya and Shane or the growing tensions around their future, the series has always been about relationships that feel real and worth fighting for. Tierney’s words at BookCon only reinforced that message: this is a show that takes love seriously, and it isn’t afraid to make it feel f***ing good while doing it.

The creator’s passion for the material shines through in every interview and panel appearance. He has spoken openly about how much he admires Rachel Reid’s writing and how much he wanted to honour the emotional depth of the characters. His decision to adapt the stories for television has been praised by fans and critics alike for staying faithful to the books while bringing new energy to the screen.

As the second season gets closer, anticipation is building. Fans are eager to see how Ilya and Shane’s relationship continues to evolve. Whether it is the challenges of being out in the professional sports world, the pressure of public scrutiny, or the simple joys of being in love, the story promises to be as emotionally satisfying as it is gripping.

The panel discussion at BookCon made it clear that Tierney is committed to telling stories that matter. His comments about wanting to portray queer joy and heat have only strengthened the case that Heated Rivalry is something special. The show has already proven itself as a standout in recent years, and Season 2 is shaping up to be another high point.

For fans of the series, the message is simple: the journey is far from over. Whether it is the slow-burn romance between Ilya and Shane or the growing complications around their future, the story promises to keep audiences hooked for years to come. Jacob Tierney’s words at BookCon have only added to the excitement, reminding everyone that this is a show worth watching again and again.