Kit Connor and Joe Locke may be the faces behind one of Netflix’s most beloved queer romances, but even they have not yet joined the millions of viewers caught up in the Heated Rivalry phenomenon.

As Heartstopper prepares to close its emotional journey with the finale movie Heartstopper Forever, fans have naturally drawn comparisons between the Netflix coming-of-age hit and the explosive success of the Canadian hockey romance drama. While the two series are very different in tone, both have become major moments for LGBTQ+ representation and have built passionate global audiences.

However, despite the similarities, Connor and Locke revealed that they have not watched Heated Rivalry yet.

“I actually haven’t seen Heated Rivalry,” Connor told Entertainment Weekly during an interview alongside Locke.

Locke admitted that he also had not watched the series, explaining that their busy schedules had kept them away from the latest queer television sensation.

“I’ve been working and living like a bit of a monk for the last while,” Connor said.

The actor has been occupied with several upcoming projects, including Elden Ring, a fantasy epic inspired by the popular video game franchise, which has been filming in the United Kingdom.

Although they have not seen the show themselves, both actors expressed excitement about seeing another queer story achieve mainstream popularity.

Locke specifically praised the success of Heated Rivalry and said he would like to meet the show’s stars, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams.

“I’d love to meet them both,” Locke said.

“It feels very like we probably have very similar experiences of that instantaneous craze. And it’s great to see another queer show explode.”

The comments come at a significant moment for Heartstopper, which has spent the last several years becoming one of the most influential LGBTQ+ shows of its generation.

When the series premiered on Netflix in 2022, it quickly became a global phenomenon thanks to its heartfelt portrayal of young love, identity and friendship.

Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, Heartstopper follows Charlie Spring, played by Locke, a shy student dealing with bullying, anxiety and emotional struggles, and Nick Nelson, played by Connor, a popular rugby player discovering his bisexuality.

Their relationship begins as an unexpected friendship before slowly developing into a romance that has resonated with audiences worldwide.

Unlike many teen dramas that focus on conflict and heartbreak, Heartstopper became known for its warmth, optimism and emotional honesty. The series offered viewers a hopeful portrayal of queer love while still addressing serious issues such as mental health, coming out and self-acceptance.

After several seasons following Nick and Charlie’s relationship, the story now reaches its conclusion with Heartstopper Forever, which serves as the final chapter of the Netflix adaptation.

Meanwhile, Heated Rivalry has created its own cultural moment with a completely different approach.

The Canadian drama, based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling novel, centers on professional hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose intense rivalry eventually develops into a secret romance.

While Heartstopper focuses on teenage discovery, first love and emotional growth, Heated Rivalry explores a more adult relationship filled with secrecy, ambition and complicated personal choices.

The series became one of the biggest television surprises of its release period, attracting a passionate fanbase and generating widespread online discussion.

The contrast between the two shows has made them unlikely companions in the conversation around modern queer romance.

Heartstopper represents a softer, more innocent vision of LGBTQ+ love, while Heated Rivalry presents a more mature story about identity, desire and relationships in adulthood.

Despite their differences, both series have achieved something important: they have placed queer romances at the center of mainstream entertainment.

For Connor and Locke, seeing another LGBTQ+ series achieve such success is something worth celebrating.

The actors understand the unique experience of suddenly becoming part of a global phenomenon. When Heartstopper premiered, both stars experienced a dramatic increase in attention as fans connected deeply with their characters.

Locke, who was relatively unknown before the series, became internationally recognized for his portrayal of Charlie, while Connor gained widespread attention for bringing Nick’s emotional journey to life.

The pressure and excitement of leading a breakout queer series is something they believe the Heated Rivalry cast can likely relate to.

The success of Heated Rivalry has also highlighted the growing demand for LGBTQ+ stories across different genres.

Rather than being limited to specific types of narratives, queer characters are increasingly appearing in romantic comedies, thrillers, fantasy series and sports dramas.

The popularity of both Heartstopper and Heated Rivalry demonstrates that audiences are eager for diverse stories with emotional depth.

While fans may hope for a crossover conversation between the casts someday, for now Connor and Locke are focused on saying goodbye to the characters who changed their careers.

The release of Heartstopper Forever marks the end of a five-year journey for the actors, who grew alongside their characters and became closely associated with Nick and Charlie’s story.

For Connor, Nick’s journey represented a character learning to embrace his identity and become comfortable with himself.

For Locke, Charlie’s story reflected the challenges many young people face while searching for acceptance and confidence.

As the Heartstopper era comes to an end, another queer romance continues building momentum.

Heated Rivalry may not be a replacement for Nick and Charlie’s story, but it represents the next wave of LGBTQ+ storytelling reaching a massive audience.

Both shows prove that queer romances can take many different forms — from the gentle first love of two teenagers discovering themselves to the intense connection between two professional athletes hiding their feelings from the world.

And while Kit Connor and Joe Locke have yet to watch the series that many fans believe could fill the Heartstopper void, they are happy to see another queer story receiving the same kind of love and attention.

For audiences who are not ready to leave behind heartfelt LGBTQ+ romances, there is still plenty to look forward to. Heartstopper Forever provides a final goodbye to Nick and Charlie, while Heated Rivalry continues its journey toward a highly anticipated second season.