For those who have recently fallen head-over-heels for the simmering tension and emotional depth of Heated Rivalry, you’re probably craving more stories that blend passion, conflict, and irresistible chemistry. These kinds of shows make viewers root for two people who are absolutely meant to be together whether they realize it or not. Luckily, the romance TV landscape is full of series that deliver exactly these types of stories.
From slow-burn relationships to high-stakes love stories, there’s no shortage of swoonworthy television ready to fill the void after binging this charming hockey love story. These shows capture the same intoxicating mix of longing, banter, and heart-pounding moments that make rivals-to-lovers tales so addictive. Some lean into intense emotional drama, while others keep things lighter and more playful. The best romantic series like Heated Rivalry balance tension with meaningful character growth.
1
‘Love, Victor’ (2020–2022)
Love, Victor is a coming-of-age drama set in the same universe as Love, Simon. It follows Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino), a new student at Creekwood High, as he navigates the challenges of self-discovery, particularly when it comes to figuring out his sexual orientation. Throughout the series, Victor connects with Simon (Nick Robinson) and seeks his guidance. The show blends heartfelt moments with humor as it explores themes of identity, cultural expectations, and the complexity of young relationships.
Both Love, Victor and Heated Rivalry center on LGBTQ+ characters navigating relationships and the pressure to be true to themselves while facing family, cultural, and social expectations. While Heated Rivalry leans into the high stakes of the hockey world, Love, Victor offers a more grounded coming-of-age journey with heartfelt moments, supportive friendships, and emotional growth. These stories complement each other since they feature characters who find themselves while they fall in love.
2
‘Heartstopper’ (2022–)
Heartstopper is a gentle, uplifting coming-of-age series based on Alice Oseman‘s graphic novels, following the blossoming romance between Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), an openly gay teenager, and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), a popular rugby player discovering his bisexuality. As the boys grow closer, they navigate school life, friendships, mental health challenges, and the process of coming out, all within a supportive friend group.
While the tones of Heartstopper and Heated Rivalry are quite different, both stories explore similar themes. These series both present characters who fall in love despite the fact that the odds seem stacked against them. The romantic stories in both series look at how those in the LGBTQ+ community can face particular challenges in the world of sports, which can be quite unaccepting. Those who enjoy these types of romantic stories will find Heartstopper a warm, comforting companion to the more intense Heated Rivalry.
3
‘Boots’ (2025)
Boots is a coming-of-age military dramedy set in 1990, loosely based on the memoir “The Pink Marine” by Greg Cope White. The show follows recruit Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer), a closeted gay teen who enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps alongside his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), seeking escape from bullying and a troubled home. The series follows these two as they try to survive the rigors of boot camp while figuring out their own identities.
Fans of Heated Rivalry would likely enjoy Boots because both series focus on intense, emotionally charged relationships set against challenging social environments. Both shows feature characters grappling with identity, societal expectations, and the fear of being judged, while forming deep bonds under stress. These stories are about LGBTQ+ characters who exist within institutions that historically emphasize conventional masculinity. The tension between masculinity and queer identity is central to both.
4
‘Young Royals’ (2021–2024)
Young Royals is a Swedish drama series that introduces Prince Wilhelm of Sweden (Edvin Ryding), a young royal sent to the prestigious Hillerska boarding school after a public scandal. Struggling with the pressures of royal expectations and his personal identity, Wilhelm navigates the complexities of adolescence, romance, and social hierarchy. At Hillerska, he forms an intense relationship with fellow student Simon (Omar Rudberg), which completely upends his world.
Fans of Heated Rivalry would likely enjoy Young Royals because both series center on intense personal and romantic conflicts set within high-pressure social environments. Just like Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya’s (Connor Storrie) rivals-to-lovers arc, Young Royals focuses on a relationship made complicated by status, scrutiny, and secrecy. Viewers who like realistic portrayals of people who want to be together and aren’t free to be open about their love will find both of these stories compelling.
5
‘The L Word’ (2004–2009)
The L Word introduces a tight-knit group of lesbian and bisexual women living in Los Angeles. The show follows their intertwined lives as they navigate love, friendship, identity, career struggles, and complex relationship dynamics. The L Word featured TV’s first ensemble cast of lesbian and bisexual female characters, which made it groundbreaking for its time. While the series features multiple soap opera-style twists, at its core, it was always about bringing LGBTQ+ stories to the mainstream.
Watching The L Word after watching Heated Rivalry makes it easy to appreciate how far representation of LGBTQ+ stories has come in a few short years. For viewers who appreciate groundbreaking queer narratives, The L Word is essential viewing. It shaped LGBTQ+ representation on TV and remains a cultural touchstone. Like Heated Rivalry, The L Word grounds its characters’ journeys of self-discovery and the challenges of being LGBTQ+ in public and private life.
6
‘Atypical’ (2017–2021)
Atypical is a coming-of-age dramedy that follows Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, as he begins seeking more independence, including navigating dating, school, and his future. The series explores how Sam’s journey affects his family, including his overprotective mother, supportive father, and sister who has her own identity and ambitions. As each family member faces their own challenges, they all learn to grow alongside Sam.
If viewers are drawn to the emotional arcs, vulnerability, and personal growth in Heated Rivalry, Atypical offers a similarly intimate look at characters facing big life transitions and learning who they are. While Heated Rivalry leans into romantic tension, its appeal also comes from the tenderness beneath the conflict. Atypical explores equally meaningful connections with gentle humor and sincerity. These stories feature flawed but lovable characters, and explore what it means to step outside one’s comfort zone.
7
‘Élite’ (2018–2024)
Élite is a Spanish teen drama that begins when three working-class students receive scholarships to Las Encinas, an elite private school filled with wealthy and privileged teens. Their arrival sparks culture clashes, tense social dynamics, and ultimately a murder mystery that unfolds through flashbacks and shifting perspectives. The series explores themes of class inequality, sexuality, friendship, and loyalty through the eyes of kids trying to figure themselves out.
Fans of Heated Rivalry may find Élite appealing because both shows deliver emotionally charged relationships, high-stakes tension, and compelling character dynamics, just in different genres. If the draw of Heated Rivalry is its passionate, turbulent connection between leads, Élite offers multiple relationships fueled by desire, conflict, and secrets. While Heated Rivalry centers on rivalry and romance, Élite heightens the drama with mystery, crime, and moral dilemmas.
8
‘First Kill’ (2022)
First Kill is a supernatural teen drama about Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook), a young vampire from a powerful legacy family, who must make her first kill to fully come of age. Her target unexpectedly becomes Calliope (Imani Lewis), a new girl in town who turns out to be a monster hunter from a family of skilled slayers. Instead of killing each other, the two girls fall into a forbidden romance that complicates their loyalties and puts both families on a collision course.
For those who appreciate Heated Rivalry’s push-pull tension, smoldering rivalry, and slow softening between two people who “shouldn’t” fall for each other, First Kill delivers that dynamic in a bold, supernatural form. Like the protagonists in Heated Rivalry, Juliette and Calliope must balance desire with duty. Their struggle between what they want and what their families expect will resonate with fans who love character arcs shaped by internal conflict.
9
‘Feel Good’ (2020–2021)
Feel Good is a semi-autobiographical dramedy created by and starring Mae Martin as Mae, a stand-up comedian navigating love, addiction recovery, and self-discovery. The series follows Mae’s passionate but complicated relationship with George (Charlotte Ritchie), a woman who has never dated someone of the same gender before and struggles with coming out. As Mae tries to maintain sobriety while confronting past trauma, she creates her own healing journey.
Like Heated Rivalry, Feel Good thrives on authentic character work. Mae and George’s relationship is full of tenderness, conflict, and personal growth, making it compelling for viewers who appreciate intimate, emotionally honest storytelling. Both shows explore characters figuring out who they are while falling in love. Feel Good especially highlights the challenges of coming out, redefining oneself, and healing from traumatic experiences.
10
‘Glamorous’ (2023)
Glamorous is a dramedy that follows Marco Mejía (Miss Benny), a young gender-nonconforming makeup enthusiast whose life changes when he lands a job working for legendary beauty mogul Madolyn Addison (Kim Cattrall). Thrust into the fast-paced world of high-end cosmetics, Marco navigates workplace rivalries, self-discovery, romantic complications, and the challenges of proving himself in an industry he’s always idolized.
Fans of Heated Rivalry may enjoy Glamorous because, although the shows differ in genre and tone, both highlight queer identity and the importance of self-discovery. If Heated Rivalry appeals because of its unapologetically queer narrative, Glamorous offers a similarly vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, this time through a gender-nonconforming lead navigating life, love, and ambition. While Glamorous is lighter and more comedic than Heated Rivalry, it still offers messy crushes and heartfelt moments that charm.
Glamorous
- Release Date
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2023 – 2023-00-00
- Showrunner
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Jordon Nardino
- Directors
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Todd Strauss-Schulson
- Writers
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Jordon Nardino, Justin W. Lo, Ashley Skidmore, Tony L. Gomez, Celeste Vasquez
