Jacob Tierney Discusses Season 2 of HBO Max’s ‘Heated Rivalry’

Jacob Tierney, creator of the HBO Max series Heated Rivalry, recently shared insights into the upcoming Season 2. During his appearance on ‘CBS Mornings’, Tierney revealed that the new season is set to premiere in late spring, although an official date has not been announced. He emphasized that he isn’t withholding information.

Season 2 will delve deeper into the relationship between main characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Tierney indicated that the story will draw from The Long Game, the sixth book in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. He remarked, “My north star in this show…is I’m focusing on Shane and Ilya and we are tracking this relationship.” The series will introduce new couples and characters, creating a more expansive universe.

Viewers will see how Shane and Ilya transition from the quiet happiness at the end of Season 1 to their ongoing relationship challenges. Tierney emphasized the use of intimacy as a narrative device, ensuring that the characters’ sexual interactions convey deeper insights into their personalities and relationships.

Tierney said, “I wanted to make sure that the sex was telling a story, that we’re learning things about these characters through the way that they relate to each other sexually.”

Regarding the creation process, Tierney sheds light on it in his book, I’ll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1. He is committed to producing a series that is steamy yet purposeful, tracking the characters’ relationships through intimate moments.

Music Selection in the Series

Tierney also discussed the role of music in the series. Episode five of the first season was centered around the song “I’ll Believe in Anything” by Wolf Parade – a band Tierney became enamored with in his early twenties. He explained, “I think the music you fall in love with when you are young is music that means so much to you.” He chose impactful songs that should have been chart-toppers, stating, “In my head I’m like, ‘Why isn’t this a No. 1 hit?'”