SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details about Episode 6 of “Heated Rivalry,” now streaming on HBO Max.
In what turned out to be one of the most powerful scenes in the six-episode queer romantic sports drama “Heated Rivalry,” professional hockey star Shane Hollander has a heart-to-heart with his mother Yuna, when he comes out to his parents as gay.
Shane not only opened up about his sexuality to his mother and father, but he also revealed that he was in a relationship with his career nemesis, Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).
Yuna, played by “The Good Doctor” actress Christina Chang, apologizes to Shane for making her feel like he couldn’t talk to her sooner. “I’m so proud of you,” she said, kissing her son. “Please forgive me.”
Shane responds, “I forgive you, Mom.”
“You actually have a choice in how to love someone, and sometimes it’s a decision you can make in a split second,” Chang tells me over Zoom from his home in Vancouver, Canada. “I wanted to make sure that when she comes out, it’s not about her… It’s about a lot of things. You don’t know what she’s going to say. There’s a moment of suspension.”
Yuna could have lashed out at Shane, telling him she’s worried about his career and his supporters. “It could have gone that way, but in the end she chose Shane,” Chang says.
Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander, Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov, Dylan Walsh as David Hollander, and Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander.
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In fact, Williams recently told me that it was this conversation between mother and son that motivated him to want to play Shane. “That scene was the one that ruined me the most when I read the script,” he said. “That was the scene where I was like, ‘If I don’t get to play Shane Hollander.’ This is also a scene that isn’t in the book, but to me it’s the quintessential conclusion scene to this arc for him and his mother. Period.
“Heated Rivalry” is from creator Jacob Tierney and is based on Rachel Reid’s gay hockey romance novel series “Game Changers.” Chang read the scripts for the six-episode season after being offered the role of Yuna.
“I was like, ‘Is this soft porn? What is happening? It’s hot. What is happening right now? It’s incredible. It’s like ‘Fifty Shades of…’ Oh, my God!’, she said, before adding with a laugh, ‘Thank God it wasn’t me taking off my clothes.’
What was it like filming the scene with Hudson? Was it heavy?
Not the same day. I think Jacob said in an interview that these boys were so dedicated and so focused. First of all, just the way they ate and the way they maintained their health and their physique and then on top of that, they took skating lessons. And then, of course, Connor took his Russian lessons, which is a whole other awesome situation. So they were very focused. That said, we always knew how to have a good time and joke around. And while there was a lot of laughter on set because it’s a great way to express yourself when things are intense, no one made any jokes while filming the scene. This was the last scene of the day, which I enjoyed. I thought, “Well, good. I don’t want to feel like they have to rush to another scene.” When I read the scene, I was moved, and I have been moved ever since.
What advice would you give to parents whose child has come out?
Your love for your child and their well-being are what comes first. Everyone has a different definition of protection, but loving and protecting them means seeing them as they are and accepting that. If your child has the courage to tell you, know that it probably wasn’t easy. So just love them for it and work together.
What did you think when you learned that HBO Max had acquired the series from [Canadian streamer] Want to?
I was like, “Now we have a chance. » Now we are going to be seen. I didn’t yet know how it would be received.
An NHL spokesperson said it would welcome any opportunity to attract new hockey fans. And then the next phenomenon is everyone asking their trainers at the gym how they can get hockey butts.
Isn’t that crazy? These boys [Williams and Storrie] are the nicest. Obviously, I’m not their mother and I like spending quality time with them because I’m their friend, but I also feel protective of them.
Are you worried about them?
I don’t feel [their fame] at all, but I watch it, and it’s really weird, and I think it’s weird for them. I’m not worried yet. The online conversation about their personal lives is a rather interesting topic. I understand the different perspectives.
What are your hopes for season 2?
That I could spend as much time as possible with Hudson and Connor. Jacob expanded Yuna’s role just a little bit compared to the books. I hope we see this next chapter with them flesh out and we get to see her and Ilya form a relationship. I think it will be charming and fun to do.
These questions and answers have been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
