Joel Kim Booster has voiced concern that Hollywood may be misunderstanding the real reason behind the success of the hit series Heated Rivalry, warning that the entertainment industry is once again missing the point when it comes to LGBTQ representation on screen.

The Emmy-nominated actor and comedian recently spoke about the growing influence of the Crave and HBO Max series, which has attracted attention for its emotionally charged and openly queer storytelling set in the world of professional hockey. Despite its sports backdrop, Booster argues that the show’s popularity has little to do with the athletic setting itself, and everything to do with its queer narrative at the centre of the story.

According to Booster, Hollywood executives appear to have drawn the wrong conclusion from the series’ success. He noted that several new hockey-themed projects are currently in development across the industry, but none of them include LGBTQ storylines. In his view, this trend reflects a misunderstanding of what audiences actually responded to in Heated Rivalry.

He pointed out that there are now multiple hockey-related shows being developed, yet all of them remain heterosexual in their storytelling focus. Booster expressed frustration with this direction, suggesting that industry decision-makers have failed to recognise that the appeal of Heated Rivalry was not rooted in the sport itself.

In his comments to The Provincetown Independent, Booster suggested that the key element driving interest in the series was not hockey at all, but rather the emotional depth and queer relationships at its core. He implied that studios are incorrectly treating the sports setting as the reason for the show’s popularity, when in reality it was the LGBTQ romance and character-driven storytelling that resonated most strongly with audiences.

Meanwhile, production on the second season of Heated Rivalry is expected to begin in August, once creator Jacob Tierney completes the writing process for the upcoming episodes. The continuation of the series has been highly anticipated by fans, following the strong reception of its first season, which adapted Rachel Reid’s Game Changer novel series.

Despite the excitement surrounding the show’s return, Booster used the opportunity to highlight broader concerns about LGBTQ representation in Hollywood. He argued that the current political and cultural climate in the United States is having a direct impact on creative decision-making within the entertainment industry.

In particular, Booster referenced the influence of the Trump administration and what he described as a growing backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He suggested that these political pressures have made studios more cautious, with many becoming increasingly risk-averse when it comes to producing content centered on marginalized communities.

According to Booster, this atmosphere of uncertainty has led to a situation where creators and executives are more hesitant to greenlight LGBTQ-focused projects. He believes that fears of controversy, censorship, or political retaliation are contributing to a slowdown in meaningful representation on screen.

His comments reflect a broader concern shared by many in the industry: that progress in LGBTQ visibility in television and film may be stalling or even reversing due to external pressures. While there has been significant growth in queer representation over the past decade, some observers worry that recent shifts in the political landscape could undermine that progress.

Adding to these concerns, a report released by GLAAD in November as part of its annual Where We Are on TV study highlighted a significant decline in LGBTQ character continuity on television. According to the findings, approximately 41% of LGBTQ characters would not be returning to television due to cancellations, series endings, or the structure of limited-run productions.

This data suggests that while LGBTQ characters continue to appear on screen, their long-term presence in ongoing series may be becoming less stable. The report raised concerns about the sustainability of representation, particularly in an industry increasingly dominated by short-run series and streaming formats that do not always guarantee character continuity.

Booster’s comments, combined with the GLAAD findings, underscore a tension within the entertainment industry between perceived commercial risk and the demand for authentic representation. While shows like Heated Rivalry demonstrate that LGBTQ narratives can achieve strong audience engagement, Booster argues that studios are still hesitant to fully embrace that success in future projects.

He suggested that instead of recognising the importance of queer storytelling itself, some executives are focusing on surface-level elements such as genre or setting. In the case of Heated Rivalry, this has resulted in what he sees as a wave of hockey-focused productions that ignore the central factor behind the show’s popularity: its LGBTQ characters and relationships.

Booster’s critique reflects a wider frustration among some actors and creators who feel that Hollywood often misunderstands or oversimplifies what makes certain projects successful. In his view, when a queer-led story succeeds, the industry sometimes attempts to replicate its most visible or marketable features while overlooking its emotional or cultural core.

At the same time, the continued development of Heated Rivalry indicates that there is still strong support for LGBTQ storytelling in certain corners of the industry. The upcoming second season suggests that the series has built enough momentum and audience engagement to continue expanding its narrative.

However, Booster’s comments highlight an ongoing debate about how inclusive storytelling is interpreted and replicated in mainstream entertainment. While visibility has increased, there remains concern that representation is not always understood in a meaningful or sustained way.

As Pride Month comes to a close, Booster’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ creators and narratives in Hollywood. Despite progress in recent years, he argues that the industry still has work to do in recognising what audiences truly respond to and ensuring that representation is not reduced to trends or surface-level imitation.

Ultimately, his message is that success stories like Heated Rivalry should not be misread as templates for genre replication, but rather as evidence of the importance of authentic queer storytelling at the heart of mainstream entertainment.