François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. didn’t need an awards speech to steal attention during Golden Globes weekend. Instead, two unscripted moments from the Spotify and Hollywood Reporter Golden Globes Nominee Night event quickly made the rounds online, offering fans a snapshot of why Heated Rivalry has struck such a chord.
The first clip, shows the co-stars chatting comfortably, their chemistry unmistakable even off camera. The second leans into pure joy and freedom the pair experience on the dance floor at the celebratory event. We can see their connection and chemistry goes way beyond just the screen.
Together, the clips feel less like promotional moments and more like evidence of something organic. Fans weren’t responding to spectacle. They were responding to ease, warmth, and a lack of self-consciousness that mirrors the show’s appeal.
From Viral Clips to Real-World Impact
That attention reflects a broader shift Heated Rivalry has sparked since its Thanksgiving weekend premiere. Produced by Canadian streamer Crave and available in the U.S. on HBO Max, the series stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as rival professional hockey players navigating a secret relationship that unfolds over a decade.
Robbie G.K. plays Kip, a juice bar barista whose romance with François Arnaud’s Scott Hunter becomes one of the show’s emotional anchors. The fifth episode, which culminates in Scott publicly coming out by kissing Kip on the ice after a Stanley Cup win, became a defining moment for viewers and a lightning rod across social platforms.
Speaking earlier this week at The Pitt Season 2 premiere in Los Angeles, G.K. said he hopes the show’s popularity pushes professional hockey toward deeper introspection.
“I certainly hope so,” he said when asked whether the series could influence NHL culture.
Rather than framing the show as a symbolic gesture, G.K. emphasized the importance of internal change, particularly in locker rooms and organizational leadership, beyond marketing optics.
When the NHL Starts Calling
That message may already be landing. G.K. revealed that several NHL teams have contacted him directly since the show’s debut.
“The Vancouver Canucks reached out,” he said, recalling how surreal it felt given he and his roommates had just been talking about getting tickets. He added that the New Jersey Devils also made contact, calling the response overwhelming in the best way.
Season 2 Buzz and a Pop Star Curveball
Heated Rivalry has been renewed for a second season, though details remain closely guarded. Creator Jacob Tierney has said he’s tuning out fan feedback while writing, a move G.K. described with humor and understanding.
Meanwhile, speculation intensified after Miley Cyrus expressed interest in contributing music to the series. Speaking at the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala, the pop star said she was “so in” on joining the project.
For G.K., the idea hit close to home.
“I grew up on Hannah Montana,” he said. “That’s what got me into acting and musical theater.”
Arnaud, speaking separately at the Critics Choice Awards, joked that while the show might receive a larger budget for Season 2, “I don’t know if we get Miley budget.” Still, he added that watching the series could change that.
As Heated Rivalry moves forward, those viral Golden Globes clips feel less like a fleeting moment and more like a snapshot of a show, and a cast, fully in sync with its audience
